Do you have your NDIS plan already? If so, congratulations on surviving the NDIS planning process and receiving your NDIS Plan. Your Plan should reflect your goals and provide funding for the support you need to achieve them. NDIS funding is to be used to obtain support and services related to your disability that will help you achieve your NDIS goals.
Once you've got your NDIS Plan, you must decide on a service provider(s). Some providers are registered with the NDIS, while others are not. Why is this important, and what does it mean?
What is an NDIS provider?
NDIS providers are referred to Individuals, organisations, or businesses that provide the services included in your NDIS Plan.
A registered NDIS provider is one who has been registered with the NDIS and they have to meet specific government requirements in order to do so. If your NDIS funding is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), you can only use registered NDIS providers for your support.
There are lots of different kinds of providers. Some are large corporations, while others are small, family-owned enterprises or solo practitioners. Some have very strict structures and policies, while others are more flexible and open to changing their programmes to suit your needs.
However, if you self-manage or have a Plan Manager who manages your payments for you, you may also choose to work with unregistered service providers.
What Is The Difference Between registered and unregistered NDIS Providers?
The most important thing to know is that ‘registered’ and ‘unregistered’ do not indicate a service provider’s professionalism nor the quality of support you should receive.
Quality and safeguards commission ensures that registered providers comply with the NDIS Practice Standards. However, both registered and unregistered providers must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct.
The NDIS Commission does not require all people who provide support to NDIS participants to register, but these persons are limited to Plan Managed and Self Managed NDIS Participants. When an NDIS provider adheres to the NDIS Practice Standards, NDIS participants may obtain some assurance that the provider's services and supports meet a certain quality and safety level.
The purpose of the NDIS Commission is to regulate NDIS providers, provide national consistency, promote safety and quality services, resolve problems, and identify areas for improvement.
In short, an NDIS registration is an endorsement that provides you with confidence in the provider. When choosing a provider, you want to make sure they have been independently assessed and their service standards are high. The standards of non-registered providers may be equally as good, but the NDIS has not vetted them.
The Benefits Of Using NDIS Providers
Since you already know that an NDIS provider meets the NDIS's quality and safety standards, you can start off with greater confidence in their services. In addition, NDIS providers can provide plan management services. Unregistered providers cannot.
Plan managers help you get the most out of your NDIS funding and take care of the admin aspects like paying invoices and reporting to the NDIS on how the money has been spent.
During your NDIS planning meeting, you can ask for a plan manager if you want one. If you're near the end of your current Plan and want to add in funding for a plan manager, then call the NDIS on 1800 800 110.
The NDIS can provide you with the help you need and deserve
Even if you have not yet applied for NDIS funding, now is the ideal time. Although it may take time for your application to get accepted, you can still receive the support you need until your funding begins to flow, but you will be responsible for the fees. You might even establish a routine and a connection with your new support workers before your NDIS application is accepted. You may request multiple workers to ensure all of your needs are satisfied. Besides critical support like mobility, grooming, and transportation, you'll be able to participate in social activities and even achieve your goals.