Audit Process For Psychologists Wishing To Register With The NDIS Commission
Audit Process For Psychologists Wishing To Register With The National Disability Insurance Scheme
Thinking of registering with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and becoming an NDIS service provider for persons with disability? Here is a short guide explaining the registration process and some online resources to assist you.
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (The National Disability Insurance Scheme)?
Nearly 4.3 million Australians or 18.3% of the population are estimated to have a disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a publicly funded strategy by the Australian Government to support costs for Australians with disabilities, their families and their carers. This scheme will provide all persons under the age of 65, who have “permanent and significant” disability, with funding for any needs or support required for them to achieve their goals and enjoy an ordinary life. Such funding is provided to the individual and they or their guardians can choose.
The NDIS can connect persons with disability, their families and their carers with different services available in their community such as doctors, support groups and sporting clubs, among others.
What is an NDIS provider and how to become one?
NDIS providers are individuals or organisations who provide support services or products for persons of disabilities, their families and their carers and help them achieve their goals.
Individuals or organisations, wanting to become a registered service provider to NDIS participants, need to submit an initial registration application with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) and comply with the NDIS Practice Standards by becoming certified or verified to these standards. The NDIS Commission is an independent agency that functions to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services by ensuring NDIS providers meet the NDIS Practice Standards.
What is the difference between a “verification” and “certification” type audit?
Two audit processes exist for NDIS registers: verification and certification. The NDIS Commission will determine which audit type would be the most suitable based on the register's organisation type.
1. Verification
This is the process required for individual sole traders and partnerships offering services with lower or less complicated risks. This process that would require service providers to supply adequate documentation such as:
Appropriate educational qualifications;
Adequate knowledge and experience;
Incident management policies;
Complaints management policies; and
Risk management policies.
2. Certification
This is the process required for organisations formed as “body corporate” offering services with higher or more complicated risks. The audit process involved would assess core capabilities such as:
Risk management;
Support delivery;
Delivery environment;
Governance; and
Operational management.
After completing the registration process, one has to wait for the certificate of registration to arrive before starting to offer services or support to participants. Registration applications take up between two weeks and one month to be processed.
What if the application outcome unsuccessful?
Unsuccessful applicants may, within three months of the decision, contact the NDIS Commission and request a review. If the application is still deemed unsuccessful following the review, an additional review can be requested from the Administrative Appeals.
Key resources
About the NDIS and the NDIS Commission:
About the NDIS and State-based requirements:
https://providertoolkit.ndis.gov.au/
https://providertoolkit.ndis.gov.au/21-readiness-checklist
About the NDIS price guide:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/price-guides-and-information
The application form:
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/3cnolink3e/application-form
Positive Moods is a group of NDIS registered psychologists based in Queensland, Australia. Contact us if you have existing NDIS funding for psychological services and would like our support.