POV: You want to start a business that makes a real difference in people’s lives. There’s so much red tape and administrative burden to become a registered provider that it all seems so overwhelming.
You are likely wanting to engage with an NDIS consultant because, after all, having them do all the groundwork for you sounds like a dream come true. But these can come at a great cost, and not just financially.
You are putting your ‘baby’ into the hands of a person or company and have faith that they will do the right thing by you, your team, and your future participants. Don’t get me wrong, there are some incredible consultants out there, but not all consultants are created equal and let’s face it, there are so many to choose from, who can you trust is going to have your best interests at heart?
Given the recent NDIS changes, becoming registered with the NDIS will be mandatory, as a result of the current lack of oversight in the sector, the level of fraud and ongoing incidents, and the strong recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.
So, with this in mind, if you are an NDIS provider, you will need to become registered, and soon.
We spoke with the community, service providers, and the team at the Provider Institute about the challenges providers were facing in becoming registered providers, as well as the gaps organisations were experiencing.
We found out some interesting facts.
We discovered that NDIS providers registering for the first time usually have multiple questions about completing the online self-assessment and ask for help. Out of 22,000 applicants, over 10,000 were declined because the provider used the same answers as other applicants, which were usually generic and had been provided by a consultant. The self-assessment component is mandatory for applying for NDIS registration and NDIS renewal audits, making this even more important!
We also found out that the NDIS Commission has a strong focus on the quality of self-assessment questions. Providers cannot copy or use responses from another organisation, as this may delay their registration or result in the NDIS Commission rejecting the application.
The NGO Training Centre and the Provider Institute have combined their skills and knowledge to develop 9 courses based on responding to the NDIS Practice Standards, including the core module and several supplementary modules, including a FREE introductory course to help you understand which modules you will require for your business, and how to complete the online self-assessment.
Our courses are designed to explain the NDIS Self-Assessment and how to respond to the NDIS Practice Standards questions relevant to your organisation. The great thing is that by understanding the NDIS Practice Standards and how to answer the self-assessment questions, providers can have greater confidence in the NDIS registration process.
And even more importantly, the self-assessment questions are the same as those that the auditors will check during the audit process, so they also provide excellent preparation for your NDIS Audit.
So really, it’s a win-win!
Get the guidance you need to succeed. Start today with our FREE NDIS Self-Assessment Introductory Course and other NDIS Self-Assessment Preparation Courses. Then, complete the supplementary courses relevant to your registration, and you’ll be well on your way to NDIS Registration!
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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.
