Category: News

In the disability and aged care sectors, safe medication management is a critical responsibility. Providers must ensure that staff who assist participants or ageing individuals with medication are competent, confident, and fully aware of their obligations.

While there is no nationally mandated prescribed training requirement from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, both frameworks emphasise ongoing competency. Providers are responsible for verifying that workers have the necessary knowledge and skills, and many organisations implement regular refreshers as best practice to maintain high standards, reduce risk, and meet insurance or audit expectations.

NGO Training Centre offers targeted, high-quality online courses specifically designed for disability support professionals and aged care workers. These concise modules deliver essential knowledge created by experienced Healthcare professionals, helping providers demonstrate staff competency while supporting safe, person-centred care.

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Tailored Courses for Aged Care Providers

NGO Training Centre provides a two-part Assisting Individuals with medication course series dedicated to aged care:

Assisting Individuals with Medication – Part 1 (Aged Care) (40 minutes)

Created by Marguerite Hoiby, a Qualified Aged Care Auditor/Assessor and Registered Nurse.

• This foundational module covers:
  • What medication is and the different types
  • The importance of regular medication reviews
  • The specific role and legal obligations of aged care workers, and
  • Dose Administration Aids (DAAs) / Blister packs and common medication risks

By completion, staff will feel more confident in their scope of practice and better equipped to prioritise the safety of ageing individuals.

Assisting Individuals with Medication – Part 2 (Aged Care) (40 minutes)

Created by Marguerite Hoiby, a Qualified Aged Care Auditor/Assessor and Registered Nurse.

• Building on Part 1, this module focuses on practical safety:
  • The “10 Rights” of medication assistance framework (current best practice approach)
  • Phases of support and step-by-step processes tailored to individual needs
  • Best practices for handling, storing, and disposing of medication, and
  • Recognising and responding to side effects, adverse events, incidents, and errors.

Together, these two 40-minute courses provide comprehensive training that aligns directly with the Aged Care Quality Standards and the Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

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Tailored Courses for NDIS Providers

For disability support professionals, NGO Training Centre offers a parallel NDIS-specific series:

Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 1 (NDIS) (35 minutes)

Created by Hayley Assaf, Registered Nurse and Qualified NDIS Lead Auditor.

• Content includes:
  • Understanding medications and their types
  • The importance of medication reviews
  • The role and obligations of disability support professionals, and
  • Dose Administration Aids (DAAs)/ Blister packs and common risks.
• Staff gain the foundational knowledge needed to support NDIS participants safely and within scope.

Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 2 (NDIS) (40 minutes)

Also created by Hayley Assaf.

• This module explores:
  • The “10 Rights” of the medication assistance framework (current best practice approach)
  • Key phases and steps of medication support based on participant needs
  • Safe handling, storage, disposal, and incident response procedures

These NDIS-focused courses align with the NDIS Practice Standards (particularly the Provision of Supports Environment) and help providers meet expectations for worker competency and to minimise risk.

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Why Choose NGO Training Centre Courses?

By incorporating NGO Training Centre’s medication management courses into your staff development program, you strengthen your organisation’s commitment to safety, reduce medication-related risks, and build a more capable and confident workforce.  When you choose us, you choose:

• Expert-led and sector-specific content – Developed by registered nurses who are also qualified auditors, ensuring content reflects current standards and real-world audit expectations.
• Convenient and flexible courses  – Short courses (35–40 minutes each) that staff can complete online at their own pace, ideal for new employee induction, annual refreshers, or targeted upskilling.
• Evidence of competency – Certificates of completion provide clear documentation for internal records, audits, or verification processes.
• Cost-effective compliance support – Helps providers demonstrate due diligence in maintaining staff knowledge without the expense or disruption of lengthy face-to-face training.

Explore our disability and aged care training packages for organisations, and equip your team with the skills they need to deliver exceptional, safe, and compliant care.

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Author: Matthew Crawford, PGCert(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.

The NDIS is now evolving fast, and it’s going to be challenging. But for adaptable, evidence-based providers, the next 12–24 months could also bring real opportunities to stand out and thrive.

Here’s what’s coming, and how you, as a provider, can turn it to your advantage:

1. Computer-generated plans arrive mid-2026

The NDIA’s algorithms will set NDIS budgets using tools like the I-CAN. Early data show some plans shrinking by 15–25%, especially in therapy and support coordination, which is quite scary!

However, providers who deliver clear, measurable outcomes (using NDIA-approved tools) are seeing their clients’ algorithm scores and budgets hold steady or even rise. However, this date of expected roll-out and even the assessment process could change, given the amount of pushback from the community and disability advocacy organisations. The jury is still out on this one.

2. Your reports still matter if they’re sharp

While long essays are often disregarded (as they always have been!), concise, data-rich progress reports (covering goals met, functional improvements, photos, validated scales) are now being used to ‘override’ low algorithm scores in trials. Some providers are adopting templates for these reports and securing more funding for their clients. Ask around in a community of practice, or consult a qualified consultant to find out what you can use.

3. Registration is becoming the new normal

With fraud crackdowns hitting unregistered providers hard, the shift to becoming a registered provider is accelerating.

Registered providers are already reporting higher client referrals as participants and families seek trusted names in such an uncertain market.

4. Pricing and payment reforms

Audits are on the rise, but the NDIA is also speeding up payment cycles (from 14 days to 7 days for compliant claims) and introducing a new “outcome-based bonus” payment in certain categories. Providers with strong compliance and digital records are getting paid more quickly than ever.

5. Support coordination and plan management evolving, not disappearing

Hours are being tightened, but high-impact coordinators who specialise in complex cases, regional areas, or specific disabilities are in greater demand than ever.

Overall, providers who invest in quality systems and training, clear outcomes, and genuine support for participants will emerge stronger. The era of prioritising volume over value is ending, but for those willing to adapt, 2026 could be the beginning of a more sustainable and rewarding chapter in disability support.

Change is coming.

The providers who prepare best will lead the next era of the Scheme from 2026 and beyond.

We hope that it’s YOU!

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Author: Amanda Robinson BA, MMHealthPrac,

As Head of Learning and Development and a seasoned NDIS expert, Amanda drives capability and sustainability in the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and currently pursuing an MBA, she brings deep expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A devoted carer, Amanda champions Human Rights, working to dismantle stigma and barriers for individuals with disability and mental health challenges. She is passionate about building robust stakeholder relationships, leveraging her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analysis skills. 

Check out the insightful new edition of Aged Care Today magazine by Ageing Australia – including a brilliant article by our very own amazing Amanda Robinson on page 92!

 

NDIS Industry Expert and Director of Your Path Your Way Support Coordination

Justine is an NDIS Expert committed to fostering inclusivity and empowerment. She is a dedicated professional with an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. With a rich background in supporting individuals with diverse abilities and backgrounds, Justine is impassioned about dismantling barriers, championing self-determination, and staying abreast of the industry’s dynamic complexity.

Justine’s mission is to create a world where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive and reach their full potential. Justine worked alongside Amanda Robinson (Head of Learning and Development) to create our Support Coordination suite of courses, drawing on her expertise as the director of Your Path Your Way Support Coordination, located in Bendigo, VIC.

Our sincere thanks go to Justine for helping develop a truly innovative and purpose-focused suite of Support Coordination courses!

• Support Coordination – Part 1
• Support Coordination – Part 2
• Support Coordination – Part 3
• Suport Coordination – 3 Part Bundle

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

Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress

Every year on December 3, the world comes together to observe the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). This day is a powerful reminder that true social progress is only possible when every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate fully and equally in society.

As someone living in the vibrant community of Greater Bendigo, VIC, I feel so proud and grateful to see how everyone is coming together this year. We’re not just celebrating a single day, but an entire WEEK filled with exciting activities and meaningful events that raise awareness. You can check them out HERE.

It’s not just Bendigo having a wow of a time this year. You can explore events and activities in your area or online by visiting the IDPwD Events Calendar.

Go along and join in the fun!

This year, the United Nations has chosen an extremely important theme for IDPwD 2025:

Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress

This theme calls on all of us. It calls on governments, providers, employers, and communities to move beyond awareness and take deliberate, sustained action to remove barriers and build systems that work for everyone.

At the NGO Training Centre, we see this theme not just as a global aspiration, but as the core of our daily mission.

Since we first launched in 2017, we have been working at the intersection of empowerment, education, and professional excellence to make inclusion a reality.

This International Day of People with Disability, we renew our commitment to building a society where inclusion isn’t just a bolt-on, it’s the foundation.

• Let’s keep learning.
• Let’s keep training.
• Let’s keep advocating.

Because an inclusive society isn’t just fair… It’s stronger, smarter, and richer for all of us.

To learn more about the 2025 theme and access Easy Read resources, you can visit the official About IDPwD webpage.

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Author: Amanda Robinson BA, MMHealthPrac,

As Head of Learning and Development and a seasoned NDIS expert, Amanda drives capability and sustainability in the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and currently pursuing an MBA, she brings deep expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A devoted carer, Amanda champions Human Rights, working to dismantle stigma and barriers for individuals with disability and mental health challenges. She is passionate about building robust stakeholder relationships, leveraging her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analysis skills. 

What a night! 🎉

Our team had an amazing time at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards over the weekend. We were incredibly proud to be finalists in the Education, Training & Employment category for 2025; our third year in a row!

We may not have taken home the trophy this time, but we’re celebrating the recognition and feeling inspired by all the outstanding organisations around us. HUGE congratulations to all the winners and finalists – you’re AWESOME! 👏💛

We were also grateful to spend time with so many wonderful people during the event, including Leon Rebello MP, Federal Member for McPherson, and Steven Paull, President of ‘WhatsUp In Disability‘, Disability Advocate, and Founder of BigDog Support Services!

Australia’s aged care system experienced a major overhaul on November 1, 2025, with the launch of the new Aged Care Act. This rights-based framework aims to prioritise older Australians in their care choices.

Responding to the Royal Commission’s severe findings on neglect and abuse, the reforms promised increased transparency, improved quality standards, and greater support for ageing populations. Central to these changes is the shift from Home Care Packages (HCP) to the “Support at Home” program, which provides financial help to assist seniors in staying in their own homes rather than moving into residential facilities. However, while the intention is admirable, emerging evidence indicates these financial packages are unintentionally causing more harm than good for those trying to age independently, increasing financial pressure and restricting essential services.

“No Worse Off” Principle

Under the old HCP system, older Australians received tiered funding, ranging from basic to comprehensive levels, to cover services such as personal care, domestic help, and allied health. The 2025 reforms maintain a “no worse off” principle for existing recipients, ensuring their contribution arrangements aren’t hiked. For new entrants, however, the Support at Home program introduces means-testing and price caps on non-clinical services, with clinical care, such as nursing, now free. On paper, this sounds equitable: subsidies tailored to income, promoting choice and dignity. Yet in practice, the packages fall short, forcing seniors into heartbreaking trade-offs.

Surge in Costs for Everyday Supports

The most glaring issue is the surge in costs for everyday supports. Basic assistance, such as showers, meal preparation, or wound care, has seen price increases of 20-30% under the new pricing model, outpacing inflation and eroding the value of allocated funds. Advocates report that a Level 2 package, once sufficient for weekly cleaning and transport, now barely covers half those needs, leaving recipients to choose between a hot meal or a safe bath.

This isn’t abstract; it’s real hardship. One Sydney senior, quoted in recent reports, lamented, “Do I eat tonight or get help to the toilet tomorrow? It’s no way to live.” For low-income households, these gaps translate to isolation, untreated health issues, and increased hospital admissions, ironically driving up system-wide costs.

Administrative Bureaucracy

Compounding the problem is administrative bureaucracy. The reforms’ emphasis on personalised plans requires extensive assessments and provider approvals, leading to months-long delays in package activation. Workforce shortages, already acute, mean fewer providers can deliver services at the capped rates, further shrinking options.

Meanwhile, the means test discourages asset sales for care funding; families rushing to liquidate homes now face “shocking hidden costs” like restored means testing post-reform, potentially clawing back subsidies. Far from empowering independence, these financial hurdles are funnelling vulnerable elders toward residential care—the very outcome the reforms sought to avoid.

Financial Pitfalls

While the Aged Care Act introduces vital protections, such as mandatory staffing ratios and safeguards against abuse, its financial mechanisms require urgent recalibration. Without addressing these pitfalls, the Support at Home program risks becoming a barrier rather than a bridge to dignified aging.

Policymakers must listen to frontline voices: adjust pricing, streamline access, and bolster funding to truly honour the promise of home-based care. For the million-plus Australians over 65, the stakes are nothing less than their freedom to age on their own terms.

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Author: Cathy Kerr BANurs, GDAET, Cert IV Training and Assessment.

Cathy brings over three decades of expertise to the field of nursing education, with a distinguished career as a registered nurse, educator, and now aged care consultant. Her extensive experience spans clinical practice, training, and consultancy, where she has dedicated herself to improving care standards and supporting both ageing individuals and healthcare professionals. With a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities, Cathy combines her nursing background with a passion for education to drive positive outcomes in aged care.

While your competitors plan to “get serious about training in January,” their staff will return to compliance gaps, expired certifications, and a backlog, rendering them “too busy.” Meanwhile, providers who launch strategic training plans now are capitalising on a 72% surge in festive-period training completions—turning holiday downtime into their most productive training period of the year. By January 20th, they’ll have trained teams, closed compliance gaps, and built momentum that carries them through 2026. The window to join them closes December 20th.

The Data You Can’t Ignore

Course completions during the Christmas-New Year period have exploded:

• 2023-24: 3,128 completions
• 2024-25: 5,395 completions (a 72% increase)
• 2025-26: Projected to exceed 10,000

This isn’t a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how leading providers approach workforce development.

Want to get started now? Click Here

Want to learn why you should start now? Please read this important 2-minute article⬇️

Why December is Your Secret Weapon

Support workers are already working. Your overnight and weekend staff aren’t idle—they’re looking for meaningful ways to use their downtime. With mobile-accessible training, they can complete modules between check-ins and during quiet hours.

New hires can start learning before they start working. January recruits can complete induction modules between accepting their offer and day one, arriving already familiar with your policies and the NDIS framework.

Compliance doesn’t take holidays. Worker screening checks and mandatory training windows don’t pause for Christmas. The providers hitting 10,000+ completions have figured out that December is actually the best time to close gaps—when the usual “too busy” excuses disappear.

The Cost of “We’ll Start in January”

Here’s what actually happens:

January becomes February (backlog to clear). February becomes March (full operational capacity, training bumped). March becomes April (Q1 review shows missed targets, compliance gaps creating real risk, NDIS Commission queries arriving).

Providers who launched in December? Already trained, compliant, and hitting the ground running.

What Makes This Period Work

• Reduced operational noise: Fewer meetings and competing priorities mean genuine focus
• Intrinsic motivation: New year mindset creates natural receptivity to learning
• Flexible scheduling: Irregular holiday rhythms create productive pockets of time
• Organisational goodwill: Holiday-period development builds loyalty that carries into 2026

The Strategic Imperative

This isn’t about squeezing more from your team—it’s about:

• Reducing operational risk through year-round compliance
• Improving retention by demonstrating investment in development
• Enhancing competitive positioning with a better-trained workforce
• Building capability that directly impacts service quality and growth

The question isn’t whether you can afford to launch before Christmas. It’s whether you can afford not to.

Built for Your Organisation

Generic training doesn’t work because every NDIS business is different. Our LMS lets you brand it with your logo, embed internal policies, and create custom modules, all at no extra cost. It’s mobile-friendly and is available 24/7. We’ve even added gamification (badges, leaderboards) to keep teams engaged.

Whether you’re onboarding new staff, upskilling managers, or running organisation-wide refreshers, our account managers support you every step of the way. The training adapts to your workflow, reducing admin burden while ensuring everything ties directly to compliance outcomes.

The Window is Closing

Launching a training program requires preparation, customisation, communication, and buy-in. Start today, and you can be ready before December 20th. Wait until January, and you’ve missed the opportunity entirely.

The 10,000 projected completions this festive period represent thousands of support workers becoming more skilled, compliance gaps being closed, and downtime being transformed into professional growth.

Will your organisation be part of that story?

Ready to turn festive downtime into a competitive advantage? We’re ready to help you! Contact us today to launch before December 20th—because the best time to start training your team isn’t in January. It’s right now.

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Author: Matthew Crawford, PGCert(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.

World Diabetes Day is on November 14, 2025!

World Diabetes Day serves as a reminder of the importance of raising awareness, improving care, and supporting individuals living with diabetes. It’s a day that brings together healthcare professionals, organisations, and communities around the world to discuss prevention, management, and the importance of education.

We have shared some inspiring real-life stories of people living with Diabetes to help you understand what Diabetes can look like. It doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone at any time:

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/features/living-with-diabetes-stories-of-the-everyday-realities-of-life-with-a-chronic-condition

So, what’s it all about?

World Diabetes Day was created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to shine a light on the growing diabetes epidemic. It’s about understanding the risk factors, encouraging early diagnosis, and making sure people have access to the care they need.

So, how is the NGO Training Centre helping to raise awareness and support people in the community with Diabetes?

At the NGO Training Centre, we know that education is key.

Our Diabetes courses give Disability Support Professionals and Aged Care Workers the confidence to:

• Recognise symptoms and risk factors early
• Support individuals with day-to-day management
• Respond to emergencies like hypo- or hyperglycaemia
• Promote healthy lifestyle choices that make a difference

Our flexible online courses enable staff to learn at their own pace, ensuring quality, compliance, and confidence in their care.

This World Diabetes Day, let’s keep the conversation going. Together, we can raise awareness, empower our workforce, and support healthier futures for ageing individuals everywhere.

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Author: Amanda Robinson BA, MMHealthPrac,

As Head of Learning and Development and a seasoned NDIS expert, Amanda drives capability and sustainability in the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and currently pursuing an MBA, she brings deep expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A devoted carer, Amanda champions Human Rights, working to dismantle stigma and barriers for individuals with disability and mental health challenges. She is passionate about building robust stakeholder relationships, leveraging her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analysis skills. 

The Australian Government has today shared some exciting news! Mr. Graeme Head AO has been announced as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

The NDIA Board, led by Chair Kurt Fearnley AO, carefully chose Mr Head for a 3‑year term after an extensive national recruitment process. With decades of experience in public administration and social policy, we are hoping that Mr Head is well-equipped for this important role. He previously served as the inaugural National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards commissioner from 2018 to 2021, which should see him in good standing for this role.

As the new CEO, Mr Head will oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency, including managing the NDIS. He will also collaborate closely with the NDIA Board to ensure the scheme continues to support and empower people with disability and their families.

Mr Head’s appointment comes after the current CEO, Rebecca Falkingham PSM, has completed her term, which she has held since October 2022. He will officially start on 24 November 2025.

Mr Head shared his enthusiasm, saying:

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to play this significant role in the NDIA as key reforms to the Scheme are being shaped and rolled out.”

We’re eager to see how Mr Head builds on the great work already underway to make the NDIS safer, fairer, and more accessible for those who need it the most.

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Author: Amanda Robinson BA, MMHealthPrac,

As Head of Learning and Development and a seasoned NDIS expert, Amanda drives capability and sustainability in the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and currently pursuing an MBA, she brings deep expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A devoted carer, Amanda champions Human Rights, working to dismantle stigma and barriers for individuals with disability and mental health challenges. She is passionate about building robust stakeholder relationships, leveraging her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analysis skills.