Partway through the rollout of NDIS PACE, we understand that many participants have questions about what the changes will mean for them in practice.
This post aims to give you a stronger understanding of what PACE is, how this new system may impact you, and when you can expect to see these changes taking place in your plan.
What is NDIS PACE?
PACE is a user-friendly upgrade to the NDIA’s (National Disability Insurance Agency’s) old computer system. This is being upgraded to provide better NDIS services to participants, their family and carers, and to NDIS providers.
Many of the changes in the new PACE system are aimed at reducing potential for error, increasing accuracy, and making overall improvements to the CRM (customer relations management) system.
When will PACE start?
It’s already here – though if you are an existing participant under the previous system, you will likely not see the changes until your next NDIS plan starts using the PACE system.
The NDIA has been rolling out PACE since October 2023. They estimate this process will take approximately 18 months, and will eventually replace the previous system entirely.
Our full resource for up-to-date information: NDIS PACE Roll Out Updates
What are the key changes in PACE?
The main benefit for PACE participants is more control over your plan and the services you receive.
The new computer system PACE comes with updates to NDIS support types and categories, alongside some functional changes such as bulk payment claims, new reporting templates for support coordinators and psychosocial recovery coaches, and some changes to how your Dashboard looks when you access the NDIS participant portal.
You will only see these changes once you have been moved to the new PACE system. These should not fundamentally change your access to NDIS services but rather make the experience easier and more accurate.
Changes to NDIS Support Types
In PACE, the three existing support types will be joined by a new one called Recurring Funding.
Recurring Funding is self-managed and specifically for participants who qualify for regular, recurring transport payments.
Changes to NDIS Support Categories under PACE
Overall, PACE plans offer more flexibility for participants. There will be no line items built into PACE plans as they will be built at the support category level. Changes to the support categories include five additional categories:
Categories added to Core Supports
- Home and Living
- Young people in residential aged care (YPIRAC). This is an NDIA managed category.
Categories added to Capital Supports
- Assistive Technology – maintenance, repairs and rental of AT)
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Categories added to Capacity Building Supports
- Behaviour Supports
These new categories are stated supports, which means the funds for these cannot be transferred to other categories.
Related: NDIS Support Funding Categories Explained
Capacity Building: New Names for Supports under PACE
The NDIA has also made five name changes to existing categories under Capacity Building – you can already see these names in the portal.
- Relationships – previously Improved Relationships
- Health and Wellbeing – previously Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coach – previously Support Coordination
- Lifelong Learning – previously Improved Learning
- Choice and Control – previously Improved Life Choices
Related: What is NDIS Capacity Building?
Request for service bookings
Another helpful change to the process is how you can connect with support coordinators. Participants can now use a request for service through the NDIA. This request includes information about your goals, needs and circumstances, which helps you get sorted with a support coordinator faster.
Will PACE change my current plan?
If you are still on a plan under the previous system, you will see no change in how your plan looks until it rolls over and you are issued a new plan using PACE. At this point, you will notice the changes to the categories and the new look Dashboard, among other changes to streamline the process.
If you were enrolled as an NDIS participant after PACE began and are already on the new system, you will not see any further changes at this stage.
How PACE changes impact NDIS funds
Is my NDIS budget impacted by the change to PACE?
There should be no changes to the amount of funding available in your plan (and future NDIS plans) as a result of moving to PACE.
What about the rollover of participant funds under PACE?
Once you have moved to the new PACE system, any unspent funding will roll over to your next plan. If you have overspent, the deficit will be deducted instead from this next NDIS plan budget.
Does PACE change how funding is provided?
The NDIA will release funds in intervals as part of the PACE changes.
This means you may have funds released at regular intervals along the length of your plan – if you had a multi-year plan, this might mean funding is released every 12 months.
Does PACE change anything with providers?
The main change regarding providers is endorsement, and the option to give consent for providers to view different parts of your plan (rather than the whole plan).
PACE also removes the single claims function in the MyPlace provider portal. Claims will now need to be made through bulk upload, which aims to reduce transactional requirements and admin for providers. A single item can still be submitted through bulk upload.
Can I keep the same providers in new PACE plans?
You can continue to work with your existing providers, but any agency managed participants will need to add their chosen providers as ‘participant endorsed providers’ in myProvider so they can access the funding for these services.
The providers in this case will have to nominate specific staff for this role, who will be the ‘person with consent’ to act on your behalf.
However, regardless of how your plan is managed, it is more important than ever to have a written service agreement with any and all providers to make it clear how much funding is to be used for services.
How do I endorse an NDIS provider?
There are two methods for endorsing a provider. You can:
- Contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to advise you would like to endorse the provider.
- Endorse the provider directly to the NDIA by calling their national contact centre on 1800 800 110.
You can choose when to share your budget information with your participant endorsed provider, so they can better support you.
Are there changes to Plan Management service agreements?
Yes. These will not impact the level of service you receive from NDSP as your plan managers – you will still have a service agreement with us that lays out how we will help, our responsibilities, and our commitments to you.
Related: What is NDIS Plan Management (and is it right for me?)
How PACE affects your plan management
Under the new PACE computer system you (the plan managed individual) will need to endorse NDSP to the NDIA. This simply means you are letting the NDIA know you have chosen us as your plan managers.
You will only need to do this endorsement when signing up to plan management in the first instance, or to confirm you would like to continue working with us on any new plan.
Do NDIS participants need to do anything?
There is nothing additional participants need to do at this time regarding switching to PACE.
Unless you request or require a change ahead of your next NDIS plan review, you will be moved over as part of your next scheduled reassessment.
If you are new to the NDIS scheme, you will be set up using the PACE system in the first instance.
NDSP Plan Management Specialists
NDSP is committed to helping you make the most of your NDIS plan – regardless of whether it is on the previous system or a PACE plan.
Make managing your plan easier with our high-quality services and comprehensive support. Why not get in touch today to find out how we can best support you?
