In this edition
- Upcoming Training
- Participant File Reviews
- Change to the age of children supported under the NDIS early childhood approach
- Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements
- Key Points Arising from the Commission’s Latest NDIS Quarterly Report
Upcoming Training
We are very excited to announce that we are running some brand new short course online training sessions via Zoom. Take a look below to see what we have on offer!
1. Getting NDIS Mid-Term Audit Ready
4 August 2023 – 10:00am – 12:00pm AEST
Register Here
2. NDIS Incident Management Essentials
24 August 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register Here
3. Understanding NDIS Registration Groups
24 August 2023 – 1pm – 3pm AEST
Register Here
Participant File reviews
Have you thought about having an independent review, or mini audit, of participant files to verify the implementation of your systems against the NDIS Practice Standards?
EFA have extensive experience in conducting NDIS audits, which includes sampling participant files, interviewing participants and their support networks.
Benefits of an independent review of participant files includes:
- Experienced independent person who can view files in an impartial way, and confirm consistency with your systems, the NDIS Practice Standards, and check for any anomalies which staff who are familiar with your participants may overlook.
- Helps confirm whether your participant file management processes are effectively implemented, or whether improvement is required.
- Could assist in identifying potential risks. For example, inconsistencies with files, missing key information which may appear ‘obvious’ to staff who know participants well.
- Counts towards your ‘internal audit’ evidence.
A full internal audit or preparatory audit can also be conducted if required, but often, a mini audit such as this might be helpful to confirm things are working well, or in need of improvement.
If you would like to know more on how we can help you with participant file reviews or audits, please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.
Change to the age of children supported under the NDIS early childhood approach
NDIS providers need to be aware that from 1 July 2023, the age of children supported under the early childhood approach will progressively change from children under 7 years old, to include children younger than 9 years old. This change is targeted at ensuring children and their families are supported by an early childhood partner during and after they transition to primary school.
The change will happen progressively over a 2 year period. This means:
- Children who are currently NDIS participants turning 7 after the 1 July 2023, will remain with their early childhood partner until they turn 9, if they require support up to this age.
- Children who are currently NDIS participants, who are turning 7 before the 1 July 2023, will transition to a local area coordination partner, as is the current process.
- Children younger than 9 with a permanent disability, who are new to the NDIS from the 1 July 2023, will be supported by an early childhood partner.
It is important to note that there will not be any changes to the NDIS eligibility requirements or the definition of developmental delay under the early intervention requirements outlined in section 25 of the NDIS Act.
For more detailed information on these changes, you can refer to the provided link here.
Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements
The recent update to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on 5 May 2023 is indeed good news for both participants and providers in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The updated arrangements aim to ensure that participants receive value for money in the supports they receive while also providing fair compensation for providers.
With the recent update, the NDIS has adjusted the price limits for various support items. This increase in price limits is beneficial for NDIS providers, as it allows for fairer compensation for the services they deliver.
The Support Catalogue, which lists all available supports, assists providers in understanding the price controls and payment requirements when submitting a payment request.
It is important for NDIS providers to stay informed about the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits to ensure compliance and to make informed decisions regarding supports and services. Providers should review the updated arrangements to understand the new price limits and any changes in claim types associated with price-limited support items.
Key Points Arising from the Commission’s Latest NDIS Quarterly Report
The NDIS Quarterly report to Disability ministers 31 March 2023 raises a few interesting points that providers may be interested in:
- The number of active participants with approved plans increased by 3.3% (592,059) between 31 December 2022 to and 31 March 2023.
- The total number of active providers decreased from 9,660 as at 31 December 2022 to 9,543 as at 31 March 2023.
- Utilisation decreased from 76% as at 31 December 2022 to 75% as at 31 March 2023.
- The total number of enrolled SDA dwellings continues to increase. The number of active participants with SDA supports has increased by 18 per cent annually over the last three years, reaching 22,680 as at 31 March 2023.
We encourage NDIS providers to be familiar with the overall contents of the quarterly report.
If you are in need of NDIS provider support in the areas of quality management, compliance or business planning please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.
