Australia has over 20,000 registered NDIS service providers. However, this is just a small representation of the organisations or individuals who serve over 400,000 NDIS participants and their families. In addition, some organisations still need to get registered due to the expense and time consumption of the NDIS registration process. However, this doesn’t affect their services or the participants they deal with. In Australia, registered and unregistered service providers can operate and offer services provided they stay and follow the NDIA regulations. Should you wish to become a registered NDIS service provider, here is why you should, and how you can do it.
Why Should You Consider Registering as An NDIS Service Provider?
Registering as an NDIS service provider has several advantages for your organisation, here are some of them:
- You will be the preferred service provider for participants whose plans are Agency managed. These participants can only use registered service providers.
- You will be among the NDIS providers listed on the NDIS website.
- Your website will display the NDIS registered business badge.
- It offers a competitive advantage as your organisation will meet the NDIS requirements for providers.
How To Register As An NDIS Service Provider
As of December 2020, all NDIS service providers must register with the NDIS Commission. It includes new service providers and those renewing their registrations. NDIS registration gives you access to the NDIS Myplace portal, which allows you to connect to the participants whose plans are managed by the Agency. Moreover, you can also submit your payment requests and create service bookings. To access the Myplace portal, you must have a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account. The resource page on the Myplace portal will give you a step-by-step guide to signing up for a PRODA account.
Start An Application
First, you must apply for NDIS registration through the Application Portal. You will need to provide your organisation’s contact details, key personnel, places of operation, and organisational structure. Moreover, you also have to select the registration groups or the types of services your service organisation offers. Finally, upload the relevant documents as evidence.
Select An Approved Auditor
Next, you must select an approved quality auditor to undertake the audit. Afterwards, the NDIS will email you an initial audit scope with the necessary details about your registration requirements applying to your organisation. It will help you confirm whether your organisation needs a certification or verification audit. The certification audit is for high-risk support and service providers, while the verification audit is for low-risk service providers.
Undergoing The Audit
At this level, the auditors handling your registration will consider your organisation’s scale, size, scope, and complexity of services you offer. Then, they will work closely with you to help you understand their findings while allowing you to ask questions. Afterwards, the audit outcome is sent to the NDIS Commission online.
Application Assessment
After you apply for NDIS registration and undergo the auditing, the NDIS will conduct their suitability assessment considering the audit. Their major concerns will be your key personnel and your organisation’s capability. Later on, the NDIS will alert you if your application for registration is successful, and if it isn’t, they will also tell you why.
There are outlined quality standards in the NDIS Practice Standards that you must meet. These standards outline the core modules that all applicants must complete. There are also supplementary modules you will have to complete depending on the services and support you provide.
The Core Modules
The core modules you must complete are:
- The support provision environment – involves waste and medication management and providing a safe service environment for the participants.
- Rights and responsibilities are for participants needing person-centred support, dignity, privacy, and individual beliefs and values.
- The provision of support includes support planning, access to these supports, and a service agreement between the provider and the participant.
- Governance and operational management involve looking at information and quality management and any risks associated with the service or support provided.
The Supplementary Modules
These are majorly for the specialised services and supports like;
- Specialised support coordination
- High-intensity daily activities
- Early childhood supports
- Specialised behaviour support
- Specialised disability accommodation
- Implementing behaviour support plans
The Application Outcome
This is the last stage of the application for registration. If your application is successful, you will receive a Certificate of registration indicating all the services and support you have registered to offer, along with any conditions you must follow. However, if the application is unsuccessful, you can request a review: which must be within three months from the decline date.
Benefits Of Becoming A Registered NDIS Service Provider
Becoming a registered NDIS service provider means you have undergone stringent government quality tests and met requirements. It also means you will enjoy the following benefits;
- You will have easy access to information from the in-depth documentation requirements. Unregistered providers can’t get this access which sometimes limits their services.
- You get access to NDIA-managed participants. Only the participants with NDIA-managed plans can get services from registered service providers.
- You will seem more trustworthy and credible to clients. Being registered and having a certification will clear the doubts of clients as it will assure them you follow NDIS guidelines when dealing with their needs.
- There is more consistent cash flow instead of being unregistered because all the payments go through the NDIS online portal.
- Offer high-quality services to meet the NDIS’ stringent standards and regulations.
There is no better time to apply for your NDIS registration than now. Although the NDIS application for registration takes time and money, it’s best to start your application right away and get your eligibility approved.
As registered NDIS Plan Managers, we are dedicated to provide top-notch support to individuals with disabilities, and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of those we serve. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about your NDIS plan, contact us at 1800 63 63 77.
