Remembering, Listening, Acting

🖤💛❤️ Today, on National Sorry Day, we reflect on the trauma and strength of all First Nations Peoples, and the Stolen Generations, and renew our commitment to reconciliation.

At the NGO Training Centre, we recognise that First Nations peoples with disability often face multiple, overlapping forms of disadvantage, from systemic racism to ableism and exclusion from mainstream services.

In fact, did you know?

That First Nations Peoples have some of the highest rates of disability yet are underrepresented in disability policy and service delivery?

We’re proud to support NDIS providers and organisations to:

• Deliver culturally safe and trauma-informed services
• Contextualise training for First Nation’s Peoples, and
• Build inclusive and person-centred care training through collaboration with First Nations communities and subject matter experts.

As a Disability or Aged Care provider, what can you do?

• Learn about the Bringing Them Home Report
• Explore the work of First Peoples Disability Network
• Review your organisation’s approach, including policies, to cultural safety and inclusion
• Does your organisation have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)? If not, here’s how you can get started: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans/
• Partner with the NGO Training Centre to build the capability of workers in this space with our high-quality training!

National Sorry Day reminds us that reconciliation includes everyone, especially those whose voices are often unheard.

Let’s keep listening👂learning🎓 and walking together 👣👣towards true reconciliation.

 

Why Providers Must Be Audit-Ready

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Commission appears to have increased the frequency of spot checks on providers, often with just one week’s notice via a brief letter.

This shift highlights a great need for providers to maintain a state of constant audit-readiness, moving away from the mindset of preparing only for scheduled audits. Let’s throw back to one of my older articles on ARFA- Always Ready For Audit: https://ngotrainingcentre.com/some-tips-to-be-always-ready-for-audit-arfa/.

Spot checks can now occur at any time and without much warning, placing pressure on providers to always ensure compliance with the important NDIS standards.

Some providers have let us know that this marked increase in short-notice audits has been particularly targeting Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Support Coordination providers. These spot checks aim to ensure that providers are consistently meeting the NDIS Practice Standards and delivering high-quality, safe services to participants. The NDIS Commission’s proactive approach reflects their commitment to safeguarding participant rights and ensuring accountability across the sector.

However, this increase is not limited to SIL and Support Coordination providers. Industry insights suggest that the frequency of spot checks is likely to rise across all NDIS providers in the future. As the Commission continues to refine its oversight processes, no provider is exempt from the possibility of a sudden audit.

So…Why The Increase?

The rise in spot checks could be attributed to several factors:

• Enhanced Oversight: The NDIS Commission is intensifying efforts to uphold quality and safety standards, particularly in response to reported non-compliance issues and fraud cases.
• Participant Safety: Spot checks help identify and address potential risks to participants, ensuring providers adhere to person-centred care principles.
• Sector Growth: As the NDIS grows, so does the number of providers, necessitating more strong monitoring to maintain service quality.

Providers! The Importance of Being ‘Always Audit-Ready’

The unpredictability of spot checks means providers can no longer rely on preparing for audits months in advance. A reactive approach risks non-compliance, which could lead to penalties, reputational damage, or even deregistration. Instead, providers must adopt a proactive, ongoing compliance strategy. Here’s why being “always audit-ready” is essential:

• Minimising Disruption: Spot checks with short notice can disrupt operations if providers are unprepared. A culture of continuous compliance ensures teams are ready to respond confidently.
• Protecting Participants: Consistent adherence to NDIS standards guarantees high-quality support, fostering trust with participants and their families.
• Avoiding Penalties: Non-compliance during a spot check can result in corrective actions or sanctions. Being audit-ready reduces this risk.
• Building Reputation: Providers known for consistent compliance are more likely to attract participants and maintain positive relationships with the NDIS Commission.

How You Can Stay Audit-Ready…

To prepare for unexpected spot checks, providers should integrate compliance into their daily operations. Here are practical steps to achieve this:

• Staff Training: Ensure all staff are well trained in their roles and well-versed in NDIS Practice Standards and understand their role in maintaining compliance (this is where we come in!!)
• Regular Self-Assessments: Conduct internal audits to identify and address gaps in compliance before the NDIS Commission does.
• Documentation: Keep accurate, up-to-date records of participant plans, incident reports, and staff qualifications and training (our LMS can help with this!). Ensure these are easily accessible during an audit
• Quality Assurance Processes: Implement robust systems to monitor service delivery and address issues promptly.
• Mock Audits: Simulate spot checks to test readiness and familiarise staff with the audit process.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of NDIS Commission updates, as requirements and focus areas may evolve.

Looking Ahead…

Being audit-ready is not just a regulatory requirement, it’s a commitment to excellence and participant-centred care. Providers who embrace this mindset will be better positioned to navigate the challenges of spot checks and thrive in an increasingly regulated sector.

The NGO Training Centre offers comprehensive, tailored training solutions designed for NDIS providers. Our courses, crafted by Australian disability professionals and NDIS experts, cover critical topics such as NDIS Practice Standards, Compliance, Support Coordination, and Complex Care, aligning directly with the skills needed to meet audit requirements.

Key offerings include:

• NDIS Core Modules Training: A detailed guide to mastering the NDIS Practice Standards, ensuring your team is equipped to pass audits with confidence.
• Support Coordination Bundle: A three-part course exploring the fundamentals of Support Coordination, participant consent, budget management, and conflict of interest, ideal for providers in this high-scrutiny area.
• Disability Support Induction Pathway: Essential training for new and existing staff, covering core skills, NDIS history, and compliance obligations to foster audit-readiness.
• Leadership Excellence Program: Tailored for managers, this suite of courses enhances leadership skills to drive compliance and quality service delivery.

The NGO Training Centre’s cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) is user-friendly, mobile-compatible, and customisable, allowing providers to integrate their own policies and track staff progress with real-time reporting.

Browse our courses and training packages using the website navigation menu above or call us on 1300 990 995 to explore the full range of NDIS training courses and start building a culture of compliance today.

Stay prepared, stay compliant, and deliver exceptional support with NGO Training Centre.

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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Need advice or assistance preparing your training materials ready for audit? 

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team and we’ll be here to help!

NDIS New Funding System

From Monday, May 19, 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will change how it distributes funds for new and reassessed plans. Instead of receiving all the funds at the start of a plan, participants will now receive their funds in smaller, scheduled payments called “funding periods” throughout their plan.

This new system is meant to help participants budget better. It also makes sure the NDIS can keep supporting everyone fairly. Support Coordinators will need to work closely with participants to plan services around these payment schedules.

To assist providers to understand this change, the NDIS has shared some useful resources:

• Operational Guideline: Explains how to manage plans with the new payment system: Check it out here.
• DSS Section 33 Factsheet: Covers the legal changes behind this update: Read it here.
• NDIS FAQs: Answers common questions about the new funding periods: See them here.

Support Coordinators and all providers should save the NDIS events page to their bookmarks. Current events about this change are full, but more sessions will be added soon. Checking the page regularly will help you sign up for future events.

This change is a big step for the NDIS, and Support Coordinators and providers play a key role in helping participants adjust.

Use these resources to stay ahead of the changes and keep providing participants with high quality supports.

The NGO Training Centre has some fantastic courses on Support Coordination if you would like to upskill yourself or your staff! Click here to learn more about what we offer for upcoming and established Support Coordinators!

 

Written by Amanda Robinson

BA., 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.

 

Meet Our Subject Matter Experts

Hayley Assaf

Hayley Assaf is one of our exceptional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) at the NGO Training Centre, whose expertise in NDIS and clinical care is transforming disability support!

Hayley is a highly experienced Registered Nurse, NDIS Consultant, and NDIS Lead Auditor who has been a cornerstone of our team since the beginning.

She’s the brilliant mind behind most of our clinical and complex care courses, designed to arm disability service providers with practical, high-quality, and fully compliant training. With over 500 high-intensity support audits under her belt, Hayley blends her medical expertise with in-depth NDIS knowledge in each and every one of our courses.

Beyond her work with us, Hayley is the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of COMPASSION8, NDIS & Healthcare Clinical Compliance Experts, where she is dedicated to ensuring providers meet the highest standards of care and compliance.

What sets Hayley apart?

Hayley is passionate about making complex NDIS processes clear and actionable, with extraordinary attention to detail. Her special interest lies in educating and equipping disability service providers to implement high-intensity supports with confidence and precision.

We sincerely thank Hayley for her brilliant work in helping us transform training in the Australian disability sector!

Learn more about all our brilliant Subject Matter Experts on our About Us page.

 

In one of our recent webinars (see below), our Onboarding Manager Chris explained the efficient and effective processes for adding various types of competency-based practical assessments to the NGO Training Centre Learning Management System.

This functionality gives trainers a unique and user-friendly means of adding one or more practical training components to the existing online courses provided by NGO Training Centre, all within the one Learning Management System.

In just a few minutes, Chris gave step-by-step walkthroughs of several easy processes to add both single assessments and groups of assessments to your organisation’s LMS.

This exceptional capability gives trainers a high level of control and customisation over their courses that is not available on many alternative Learning Management Systems, and one of many reasons our customers love our LMS.  

Webinar Highlights

🖥️ Webinar Introduction: Chris introduces the session’s focus on Competency-Based Practical Assessment.

📚 Theory vs. Practical: Emphasis on the necessity of combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills for effective learning.

🛠️ Three Levels of Implementation: Training structured into three levels: basic document submissions, course creation for practical sign-offs, and advanced instructor-led training.

📝 Document Uploading: Instructions on adding practical assessment documents and enabling learners to submit completed work.

📅 Instructor-Led Training: Introduction to setting up calendars and managing registration for practical sessions.

👩‍🏫 User Permissions: Importance of user roles (admin vs instructor) for accessing and modifying course content effectively.

❓ Q&A Engagement: Encouragement for participants to ask questions, fostering a collaborative training environment.

Key Insights for Trainers

 ✅ Integrated Learning Model: The competency-based model effectively bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring workers are well-prepared for real-world scenarios. This dual approach addresses both knowledge retention and skill acquisition.

🗂️ Course Structuring: Dividing assessments into levels allows for tailored approaches depending on the needs of learners. Simplifying tasks into incremental levels promotes better understanding and manageable learning experiences.

📃 Documentation Handling: The training session provided practical guidance on using document uploads for assessments, simplifying record-keeping and fostering accountability among learners regarding their progress.

🙋‍♂️ User Empowerment: Equipping attendees with the knowledge to modify user permissions enables them to manage course dynamics effectively, enhancing user engagement through appropriate access to course materials.

🎓 Mass Enrolments in Group Settings: The ability to create groups with multiple courses needing practical sign-offs streamlines administration, optimising the time administratively required to manage learners and their assessments.

🔄 Flexible Assessment Approaches: Offering varied methods for submitting assessments ensures that all learners can engage with the course material in a manner that suits their needs and circumstances.

💬 Feedback and Improvements: Feedback mechanisms, such as surveys post-assessment, enable continuous improvement of training programs and help fine-tune the delivery method and content based on participant experiences.

Watch the webinar below to find out more about this brilliant feature, or contact our team for more information or to book a demonstration.

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Clean Hands Save Lives!

Each year on May 5, the World Health Organisation’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign unites people worldwide to champion hand hygiene in healthcare.

The 2025 theme, “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene,” highlights proper hand hygiene to prevent healthcare-associated infections.

Clean hands at the right time and protect participants and healthcare workers.

So, how can you help?

Here are some ways that you can get involved:

• Learn the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene.
• Take a Course: The NGO Training Centre offers an excellent Hand Hygiene Course to equip you with vital skills. Learn what hand hygiene is, how infections spread, and effective cleaning techniques using alcohol-based rubs or soap and water. The course also covers when to wash hands routinely and during patient support, including the WHO’s 5 key moments. Enrol now to make a difference!
• Share Hand Hygiene resources and debunk glove use myths.
• Join WHO’s webinar or host a community event.

This May 5, commit to clean hands and inspire others. Whether you’re a Disability Support Professional, Aged care worker, student, or community member, your actions matter.

Clean hands, safe care! Let’s make it happen!

 

Federal Election 2025

The Federal Election is scheduled for Saturday, 3rd May 2025. As disability service providers and workers, you play a vital role in ensuring NDIS participants and people with disability can exercise their right to vote. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) offers a variety of accessible resources to support participation in the voting process.

Accessible Voting Resources

The AEC provides resources tailored for people with disability, available in multiple formats to meet diverse needs:

• Braille: For voters who are blind or have low vision.
• DAISY: Digital accessible information system for audio navigation.
• MP3 Audio: Audio files for auditory access.
• Large Print: For voters with vision impairment.
• E-Text: Electronic text compatible with screen readers.
• Easy Read: Simplified language for better comprehension.
• Social Story Format: Visual and narrative guides to explain the voting process.

These resources ensure that people with disability can access information about voting, understand the process, and participate independently or with support. You can find these resources here: https://www.aec.gov.au/assistance/

How You Can Help

As a disability service provider or worker, you can support NDIS participants by:

1. Sharing Information: Distribute the AEC’s resources to participants and their families. Direct them to the AEC’s dedicated page: Information for People with Disability – Australian Electoral Commission.
2. Discussing Voting: Talk to participants about their voting rights and the importance of their voice in the election.
3. Providing Support: Assist with accessing resources, understanding voting options (e.g., in-person, postal, or assisted voting), or arranging transport to polling places. A great tool call VOTE Compass may help to determine where their views align with a party: https://www.abc.net.au/news/vote-compass
4. Promoting Inclusion: Encourage participants to engage in the democratic process and address any barriers they may face.

Why It Matters

Voting is a fundamental right, and ensuring accessibility empowers people with disability to have their say in shaping Australia’s future. By sharing these resources, you help foster inclusion and independence for NDIS participants.

For more details, visit the AEC website or contact your local AEC office to learn about additional support available during the 2025 Federal Election.

Let’s work together to make voting accessible for everyone!

 

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.