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Understanding the New STA Rules for NDIS Providers: What You Need to Know

Understanding the New STA Rules for NDIS Providers: What You Need to Know

This week, the much-anticipated updates to the Short-Term Accommodation (STA) rules were released by the NDIS. For those of you providing STA services, this is big news. The changes are designed to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and ensure participants get the best outcomes possible. But how do these new rules affect your day-to-day operations?

Let’s break it down.

What’s New?

The updated STA guidelines, effective from this week, aim to provide greater clarity around the eligibility criteria, billing practices, and support expectations for short-term accommodation. Here are the key changes that you need to be aware of:

  1. Clearer Definition of STA
    The NDIS now defines STA more explicitly, differentiating between accommodation and support services. This means that STA is no longer just about providing a bed for a participant—it’s about ensuring that accommodation is linked with the right level of support, tailored to the participant’s needs. This clarity helps to avoid confusion around what constitutes STA versus other supports.
  2. Increased Focus on Participant-Centered Outcomes
    The NDIS is increasingly prioritising outcomes that benefit participants. The new rules stress the importance of ensuring STA services contribute to a participant’s broader goals, such as skill development, social engagement, and community participation. This means your services need to go beyond just accommodation; the support you provide should be meaningful and help participants progress in their NDIS journey.
  3. Inclusion of Remote and Regional Areas
    One of the big changes in the latest updates is the emphasis on improving access to STA for people in remote and regional areas. As providers, this means you may need to consider how your services can better cater to the unique needs of these participants—whether through remote service delivery options or increased flexibility in accommodation arrangements.
  4. New Pricing Structure
    Pricing for STA services has been adjusted under the new rules. There are new rates for various levels of accommodation, and the pricing will now better reflect the intensity of support required. As providers, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the updated pricing guide to ensure you are billing appropriately and in line with the NDIS framework.
  5. Greater Flexibility with Bookings and Cancellations
    The new rules offer more flexibility regarding bookings and cancellations, aiming to reduce the administrative burden for both providers and participants. The NDIS acknowledges that last-minute changes are sometimes unavoidable, so they’ve made adjustments that allow for more accommodating terms without penalising providers unduly.

How These Changes Impact You as a Provider

So, how do these updates affect you as an NDIS provider?

  1. Streamlined Processes for Service Delivery
    With clearer definitions and guidelines in place, you can now navigate STA provision with more confidence. The updated rules should lead to fewer misunderstandings, which in turn can reduce compliance risk and improve your service delivery.
  2. Better Alignment with Participant Needs
    By focusing on outcomes and flexibility, you can ensure your services are more personalised and participant-centered. The shift towards understanding the broader goals of participants means you have an opportunity to demonstrate your value not just as an accommodation provider, but as a key player in a participant’s growth and development.
  3. Operational Efficiency
    The inclusion of clearer pricing structures and simplified administrative processes (like booking and cancellation flexibility) means less red tape for you. You’ll spend less time on administrative tasks, allowing you to focus more on providing quality services and supporting participants.
  4. Opportunities for Growth
    The emphasis on supporting participants in remote and regional areas could present an opportunity to expand your services to underserved areas. If you have the capacity and resources to cater to these regions, now might be a good time to explore new avenues for service delivery.

Next Steps for Providers

The changes are a chance for you to reassess your approach to STA and ensure your services are fully aligned with the new rules. Here’s how you can get ready:

  1. Review Your Current STA Services
    Take a close look at how your services align with the new guidelines. Are you clearly defining your accommodation and support offerings? Are you prepared to show how your services help participants achieve their NDIS goals?
  2. Update Your Pricing and Billing Practices
    Familiarise yourself with the updated pricing structure and make sure your billing processes reflect these changes. This will help avoid any confusion or discrepancies when it comes to payment.
  3. Ensure Your Team is Onboard
    These changes will require everyone in your team to be on the same page. Make sure that your staff are well-trained on the new rules, understand the participant-centered approach, and are equipped to provide the best possible support.
  4. Embrace Flexibility
    The NDIS is increasingly about providing flexible, responsive support. Stay adaptable, especially when it comes to the new booking and cancellation guidelines. This will ensure that you’re always providing the best service in line with participant needs.

Q&A’s

Does STA Cover Transport Costs?

No, STA does not cover the cost of transport to or from the accommodation. If a participant is staying in STA far from their usual home, transport costs will be considered day-to-day living expenses and need to be covered separately. However, if transport support is already part of a participant’s NDIS plan, a provider might be able to cover the cost of travel from the accommodation to certain activities.

It’s important for participants to plan carefully and factor in transport costs when choosing the right STA accommodation option. Travel to and from STA locations needs to be considered separately.

Can STA Be Used for Holidays?

STA is not intended for holiday purposes or tourism. Its primary role is to give participants a short break from their usual environment and informal supports, not for vacations. For example, STA cannot be used for travel-related expenses such as cruises, holiday accommodation, airfares, or even theme parks and sporting events.

If a participant is planning a holiday, they can still access their usual NDIS supports as long as they are outside their usual home. If any additional support is needed while on holiday, participants should discuss it with their support coordinator, local area coordinator, or planner to ensure their NDIS plan can be adjusted accordingly.

Is STA Available for Participants in Supported Independent Living or Living Alone?

No, STA is generally not available to participants already in Supported Independent Living (SIL) or those living alone. Since these individuals already have structured time away from family and informal supports, STA isn’t typically needed in these situations. However, individual circumstances may vary, and it’s always worth discussing with your NDIS planner if you believe STA may still be appropriate for a specific case.

If you’re a provider offering STA services, it’s essential to stay updated on these guidelines and help your participants navigate the complexities of the funding and services. Communicating these points clearly can ensure participants receive the appropriate support while maximizing the benefits of STA within their NDIS plan.

Conclusion

The new STA rules are a great step towards making the NDIS system clearer and more supportive for both providers and participants. By embracing these changes, you’ll not only ensure compliance but also enhance the quality of your services and the outcomes for participants. You can read more here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation#new 

As always, change can be daunting, but with the right mindset and preparation, these updates offer a chance to better serve your participants and stay ahead in the ever-evolving NDIS landscape.

How are you planning to implement the new STA rules in your practice?

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges.

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Preparing for NDIS Audits: A Very Helpful Tool

As the NDIS framework continues to evolve, disability support providers must adapt their practices to meet increasingly rigorous audit standards. One key area of focus in Stage 2 of a surveillance or re-certification audit is how well providers implement their policies and procedures in their day-to-day operations.

The NDIS Practice Standards are designed to ensure that registered providers meet high standards of care and support for participants. However, it’s no longer sufficient to simply have policies and procedures in place; you now need to demonstrate their implementation across your organisation. Auditors will specifically look for evidence through your day-to-day practices, records, and processes. This includes ensuring that staff have read, acknowledged, and understand your policies and procedures.

What the Audit Looks For

During a Stage 2 onsite audit, auditors will engage in various activities to assess compliance, including:

  • Reviewing records to verify adherence to policies.
  • Conducting interviews with staff and participants to understand how policies are applied in practice.
  • Observing operations, looking for evidence that policies and procedures are being implemented consistently.

Auditors may also request proof that staff members have not only read but also comprehended the organisation’s policies. They’ll want to see that employees know how to apply these guidelines in everyday situations. This raises an important question: how can disability support providers effectively track and document this understanding?

A Simple Solution: NGO Training Centre’s LMS

For disability support providers navigating these audits, NGO Training Centre offers a simple and effective solution through our Learning Management System (LMS). Our platform allows providers to create a dedicated course that includes all relevant company policies and procedures. Here’s how it can streamline the audit process:

  1. Create a Course for Your Policies and Procedures: With our LMS, administrators or instructors can easily create a course containing your organization’s policies and procedures.
  2. Test and Verify Understanding: You can then develop a text- or exam-based assessment tied to these policies. This ensures staff members not only read but also demonstrate comprehension of key guidelines.
  3. Certify Completion: After passing the exam, support workers will receive a certificate confirming that they have completed the course and understood the policies. This certificate acts as documented proof of compliance, making it easy to show auditors that your team is knowledgeable and prepared to implement policies in day-to-day work.

By incorporating this into your operations, you not only comply with audit requirements but also create a culture of accountability and quality service.

Watch this short video to learn how to add a policy or procedure.

Why This Matters

The NDIS Commission emphasises that policies are only as effective as their implementation. As audits become more stringent, having evidence of your policies in action is essential. Using a system like the NGO Training Centre’s LMS, you ensure that:

  • Your staff are fully engaged with and understand the critical policies governing your organisation.
  • You have readily available evidence for auditors.
  • You can demonstrate a structured and effective approach to policy implementation.

Improve Your Audit Results with NGO Training Centre

Navigating NDIS audits doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By leveraging NGO Training Centre’s easy-to-use, yet powerful LMS, you can streamline the process of educating staff and documenting compliance while simultaneously reducing stress and improving your audit outcomes.

Ready to improve your audit results? Contact NGO Training Centre’s Customer Relationship team today to learn how we can help you meet NDIS Practice Standards with ease.

Written by Matthew CrawfordPGCert(Bus)

Matt has over a decade of experience in B2B sales and business development and with a passion for human services, is deeply committed to driving meaningful solutions within the disability sector. His commitment to improving service quality and his deep understanding of client needs make him a trusted partner in advancing the capabilities of organisations that support people with disability across Australia.

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