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If you are thinking of becoming an NDIS provider on the Sunshine Coast, there are several important things to keep in mind.
Firstly, it is crucial to ascertain whether you are eligible to become a provider within the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and if you are, youโll have to weigh up if it is worth registering or not.
Moreover, if you do decide to register, you’ll need to understand how you go about doing so.
In this post, weโll address these key aspects, but also explore some other pertinent considerations many fledgling NDIS providers often fail to consider.
If you’re keen to make a positive impact through the NDIS, it may be worth your while reading until the end. We’ll highlight all the steps to becoming an NDIS provider, which will hopefully give you a much better appreciation of what is involved.
Who is eligible to be an NDIS provider?
Many people have misconceptions about what it actually means to be an NDIS provider, believing you have to go through an audit or registration process before you can provide support or services to NDIS participants. However, this is not the case.
In fact, any legal Australian business entity with an ABN can become an NDIS provider. Moreover, your business is automatically considered to be an NDIS provider if they offer a disability-related service that somebody pays via their NDIS funding.
What are the different categories of NDIS providers?
Within the NDIS scheme there are two different types of business categories. Those that are registered and those which are unregistered.
So long as both types of Sunshine Coast businesses are legally registered Australian businesses, they are entitled to offer services to participants within the scheme.
The main difference between the two is that an NDIS registered provider has been judged and certified against the Practice Standards demanded by the NDIS.
However, regardless of if you are registered or not, as an NDIS provider you will be expected to work within specific guidelines, have a range of responsibilities and obligations, you will have to meet.
Why you should become an NDIS registered provider
Any business that is officially registered with the NDIS is seen as operating to a certain standard of expertise, dedication and good service. However, it is important to note that if a provider is not registered, it does not mean they will not meet these standards.
For certain providers, including businesses that offer Positive Behaviour Support or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), registration with the NDIS is mandatory. But for most other providers, the act of registration is entirely optional.
NDIS registration is also not a one-off process. Indeed, registrations need to be renewed over a certain period of time and audits are performed before approval is given.
The benefits of being a registered NDIS Provider
By registering with the NDIS, you publicly commit to being a trusted service provider. However, you also enjoy the additional benefit of being able to work with a larger cross-section of people.
Unregistered providers are only able to work with participants who are plan-managed or self-managed. So, by registering with the NDIS, you gain the right to offer support and services to people who are backed by agency-managed funding.
What is the cost of registering as an NDIS registered provider?
While the process of registering to become an NDIS provider is free, you will need to source and fund an approved quality auditor to perform the audit. You can use this NDIS Software to find one.
Overall, there are two types of NDIS audit and which one you require is contingent upon the level of support you intend to provide.
Your business can either be verified or certified. Typically, verification costs around $900 to $1500 to audit and is more appropriate for those offering less complex or lower-risk support.
Certification, by contrast, costs between $3000 and $5000 and is set up for services that are deemed higher risk or more complex.
If you are not sure which registration applies to you, donโt worry. The NDIS Commission will let you know.
Registration Process
If you have decided to register your business with the NDIS, here is a summary of what you need to do:
- Submit an application online via the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. (You will also need to complete a self-assessment).
- Pick an approved quality auditor.
- Arrange for the independent to take place.
- Wait for your application to be assessed by the NDIS Commission.
- Hear the outcome of the application.
If successful, congratulations! You are now a registered NDIS provider. If not. Take any feedback onboard and reapply at a later time, should you want to.