From the 1st July 2018, NDIS providers in NSW and SA will lead the transition to the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework (with other states following in 2019 and 2020). This is a new framework which will be overseen by the NDIS Commission and aims to create nationally consistent quality and safeguarding requirements for NDIS providers across Australia to ensure high quality and safe services for individuals. It includes new requirements for providers including but not limited to:
- Reportable Incidents
- Complaint Handling
- Worker Screening
- NDIS Code of Conduct
- Behaviour Support
There will also be two pathways to registration for providers; Certification OR Verification. Global-Mark has been recommended by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to provide Certification and Verification services as an Approved Quality Auditor. This means that Global-Mark can support your organisation through Certification or Verification, as an Approved Quality Auditor.
[Extract from NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – NDIS National Provider Forums 2018 presentation]
NDIS Practice Standards
The NDIS Practice Standards – Core Module includes 4 divisions:
- Division 1 – Rights and Responsibilities
- Division 2 – Governance and Operational Management
- Division 3 – Provision of Supports
- Division 4 – Support Provision Environment
Each division has several outcomes that are outlined in the NDIS (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2018 and require a number of indicators to be demonstrated. For example:
Other modules additional to the Core Module that NDIS providers may be required to meet include:
- Module 1 – High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
- Module 2 – Specialist Behaviour Support
- Module 2A – Implementing Behaviour Support Plans
- Module 3 – Early Childhood Supports
- Module 3A – Clause 7 of Schedule 1 (only applicable for sole traders/partnerships providing Early Childhood Supports and Therapeutic Supports)
- Module 4 – Specialised Support Coordination
- Module 5 – Specialist Disability Accommodation
Verification or Certification?
Verification requires a desktop audit by an Approved Quality Auditor (Certification Body) against Verification requirements. These requirements are outlined in Schedule 8 – Module 6 of the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 (page 39). [Please note that Verification is only applicable for Individuals/Partners who provide low risk supports.]
Certification on the other hand, involves desktop and on-site audits against NDIS Practice Standards – Core Module, and any other modules relevant to the NDIS provider’s services. Certification will involve key evidence gathering methods such as interviewing participants, workers, management and reviewing participant and worker files, documented records, physical environment and so on.
Scheme rules for how Approved Quality Auditors are to conduct Certification audits, duration requirements and sampling approaches under NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework are yet to be released by the Commission. This information is expected to be available soon, and we will keep you up to date.
For guidance on which class of supports are required to undergo Verification OR Certification against NDIS Practice Standards – Core Module and any additional modules, please see Section 20 of the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 (page 15). [Please note that Verification is only applicable for Individuals/Partners who provide low risk supports, all providers that operate as a body corporate or government providers are required to follow the Certification pathway.]
NDIS Commission is also facilitating NDIS Provider Information Sessions that will provide further clarity on the framework and NDIS provider requirements.
NSW/SA Existing Provider Transition
NDIS providers may have already been contacted regarding their registration renewal with NDIS Commission. Communication with providers regarding specific renewal requirements will commence as of 1stJuly 2018. Advice Global-Mark has received from the NDIS Commission suggests that the Commission will take a staggered approach for existing provider registration renewal, and the Commission will advise providers of the timeframe in which they are expected to commence the renewal process. Achieving Verification or Certification is one component of the renewal process.
NSW/SA New Provider Registration
New providers will be able to register with the NDIS Commission under the new registration process as of 1stJuly 2018. Providers who started the registration process but did not complete it prior to 30thJune 2018, or who still had pending registration applications on 30thJune 2018 will need to recommence the registration process.
[This post has been updated to reflect May 2019 changes to the NDIS (Approved Quality Auditor Scheme) Guidelines.]
