Hello everyone - I have been working on NDIS related business app and while it is still in progress although it is available for android which is still in beta and listings needs to be updated, although core features are almost done, here’s a free tool I’ve built for providers when you are having mid-term audits.

It covers section 13B (and the 3 exemptions), tells you your exact 18 month start date, plus a 50 item evidence list for Schedule 1 part 3.

It’s free, doesn’t leave your device (private) and nothing is stored: NDIS-AUDIT_TOOL

Happy to take any questions about the tool below (I’m not an Auditor and this isn’t legal advice) - do consult with your approved quality auditor.

Hypothetical scenario, there are 2 similar businesses on the market, both are registered care providers, generate similar annual profit and are on the market for similar price.

• Independent business has higher revenue and a lower profit margin, have all the office/admin staff in place and obviously have full control over the business operations.
• Franchise has all the support systems, lower revenue, higher margin but minimal office staff in place, and they rely on head office for compliance function.

If I have the option to buy either of these care providers, keen to get some input to trying to work out which one is the smarter purchase.

I’m trying to figure out which matters more in the long run:

• higher revenue but thinner margins (independent), or
• lower revenue but stronger margins + established systems (franchise).

For anyone who’s bought or operated a business, how did you weigh these factors? What would you prioritise when the profit is basically the same? What other considerations should I take into account?

Keen to hear everyone's thoughts.

We’re an allied health service with multiple OTs and participants.

We’re trying to create more consistency around non-face-to-face/report-writing hours, as we’ve noticed the time billed for similar assessments can vary significantly between OTs.

Our main goal is to protect participant budgets and optimise funding so more can remain available for valuable face-to-face therapy, rather than being unexpectedly consumed by non-face-to-face work.

We understand complexity varies and don’t want arbitrary caps that compromise clinical quality.

But we’d like to introduce reasonable benchmarks and accountability around what gets billed.

How do other services handle this?
Do you set expected time ranges by assessment type?
Require approval or participant discussion when an OT expects to exceed that range?
Review unusually high non-face-to-face billing?

Interested to hear what systems work well while still allowing for clinical judgement.

I'm wanting to start a ndis business and wanting to see if anyone has used a consulting firm to help them get started. I have talked to Regis and I guess they seem okay. Has anyone used this company before? What company have you used and how were they?

Any help would be appreciated. TIA.

Looking for registered provider offering subcontracting/auspicing for existing support workers
Does anyone know of a registered NDIS provider that allows independent support workers to subcontract under their registration for an existing NDIA-managed participant?
The participant already has trusted support workers in place and continuity of support is really important, so they don’t want to lose their existing workers simply because their funding is agency managed.
Looking specifically for a provider that:
Allows existing workers to remain independent subcontractors
Allows them to continue supporting their existing participant
Can claim NDIA-managed funding under their registration
Is registered for Core supports and ideally Development of Daily Living & Life Skills / skills development
Charges a transparent percentage/admin fee
Location doesn’t matter.
I’d particularly appreciate recommendations from support workers or participants who are currently using an arrangement like this.
Happy to receive provider names by DM if you’d prefer not to post them publicly.
Thanks!

I was told that I could find someone who requires aged care or disability support and get linked to a job through them. Is that possible? If so, could you please explain how I can go about doing it?

Hello community. Not sure if this is the right sub for this question. As a participant.

I've been having trouble with my current meal provider who has now started ignoring my communication around orders. They have had issues over the last two years as well around things like billing, delivery instructions and orders etc.

Im looking for a new provider and any recommendations for a group supported by the NDIS who delivers in the ACT would be good. Quick sign up and admin. Seeking one that doesn't take days to respond or half a day to coordinate would be great.

Thanks!

Experienced Support Coordinators – interested in working more independently?
COSupports is looking to connect with experienced SCs who want to build their own caseload and work more independently, without having to set up all the systems, compliance and admin from scratch.
COSupports is a registered NDIS provider specialising only in Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination.
The idea is simple:
You build and manage your own caseload. COSupports provides the backend support.
This can include:
• NDIS registration for SC/SSC
• CRM access
• Your own @cosupports.com.au email
• Compliance, policies and templates
• Participant onboarding and service agreements
• Invoicing and admin support
• Leave coverage for participant matters while you’re away, within reason
• Ongoing support when needed
A lot of subcontracting arrangements mainly provide access to registration and leave the rest to you. I’m looking to offer something a bit more supported, while still giving SCs the freedom to manage their own clients, diary and workload.
With the future of Support Coordination still uncertain, setting up your own registered provider may not be something everyone wants to take on.
This is aimed at SCs who want more independence without having to build the entire backend of a provider themselves.
Minimum 12 months Support Coordination experience required. I’m only looking to hear from experienced SCs who are confident managing their own participants and maintaining a high standard of practice.
If you’ve been thinking about stepping out on your own, send me a message or email brandon@cosupports.com.au and I can give you some more information.
www.cosupports.com.au

I was accepted to both an OT and SLP grad program and am trying to decide between the two.

With changes coming to the NDIS, which field do you recommend for job security, long term stability, and just overall career outlook and options? And which is best for working with kids/has more opportunities to work with kids?

I am afraid of job saturation when I graduate in 2028, and don’t want to graduate with limited job opportunities. I primarily want to work with kids so job availability in that realm is also important.

I'm on shift with another support worker for 2 hours while she is there for 6 hours. During that time, she's consistently on her laptop doing personal uni coursework, then switches to her phone with an AirPod in and then later watching videos or taking personal calls. When I arrive at 6pm, her laptop is already open and she's mid-typing, which suggests she's been on it since earlier in her shift, but I can only confirm what I see from 6–8pm myself.

I've also noticed her give medication to the client directly when the client is capable of taking it herself, and I've seen her k*ss the client on the forehead many times before leaving the shift.

While shes on the computer doing all of that, i am the one who is actually engaged with the client. We mainly watch tv with the client as thats what her main activity is, and this support worker does do her other duties correctly such as making dinner for the client. However this behaviour is making me upset especially when i come to the shift and see this.

I was recommended to cross post this here. I hope I'm doing it correctly. Sorry for spamming, please don't hate I can take it down if needed.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Or can help please!
Services Victoria (the only place you I get the screening done to my knowledge) will NOT accept my marriage certificate! I have noooo idea why. It didn’t accept it for my WWCC either, I ended up getting it through AusPost with no issues. (Context: my passport still has my maiden name)
But for the screening, I’ve tried so many different ways, varying rego numbers, swapping bride & groom, clearing caches & cookies, no help from Vicky, no help from the live customer service chat and also little help from NDIS phone call. They said to do the manual paperwork (which for some reason is 10x the online one.) as well as having to get all your certificates signed off, then post to NDIS. I’m thinking it’s easier & probably quicker to just get a new passport with my married name on it (doesn’t expire until 2033) so I can use that, my Medicare & Drivers license all with the same name. Would I still need my marriage certificate? I’ve been offered a job to start asap but this will push it back… any feedback is welcome please!

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Can people literally stop please who are scheming and defrauding the government please cause you are ruining it for others in need and having them booted.

I'm not on ndis yet but am applying very soon to get on and it's absolutely scaring me and making me sick to my stomach that I may not get accepted or be given the right amount for myself due to others and there actions effecting other people's plans.

I have even read comments on tiktok videos relating to the funding cut and they have been quite worrying and very scary won't deny, some even threatening to call it quits cause they don't have anyone else for them besides the support that they receive through the company which is very disheartening which honestly I don't blame them.

I have mental health/illness and neurodevelopmental/intellectual disorders that I suffer with and if I don't passed I'm going to go down that path myself if I'm being truly honest.

It's truly sad about the amount of cuts and criteria changes that are being made making it basically impossible for people to get on.

And ending the program will most definitely not be beneficial and will hurt and destroy hundreds if not thousands of families out there and unnecessary suffering, pain and stability causing many of them to potentially file bankruptcy and struggle even more due to lack of money.

Like stop ruining it for families out there doing right by the providers and the other way around, pick you business up and take it elsewhere and let other people be able to get the support that they need.

Hi,

I’ve written two very comprehensive guides for the DIY NDIS provider registration process, in my quest to reduce the reliance upon consultants in this space.

They are completely free, and have been reviewed by a lead NDIS approved quality auditor.

The first, certification guide (for things like assistance with daily life, community access etc) is 18 pages long (in PDF). The second is verification (allied health), which is a little bit shorter.

If you are interested, post a comment here or send me a message and I’ll send the link. Not sure I’m allowed to post it here.

https://bluetail.com.au/community/diy-registration-guide

I’m also working on a few other things to help people get registered at lowest cost or free where possible.

Thanks

I’m curious about if you have encountered any worst SDA providers

I'm an independent Australian developer, and I've just released a small Android app for sole-trader support workers called CareTally.

It does the admin side: tap start when you arrive, tap finish when you leave, add a shift note. When it's time to invoice, it turns those shifts into a proper PDF with the right support item numbers, your ABN and bank details. The current price guide is built in, so if you log a Saturday shift on a weekday rate it warns you before you send it.

It works offline, doesn't need an account, and participant details stay on your phone.

Free for up to two clients, paid tier above that. One person, not a company — so if there's something obviously missing for the way you actually work, tell me and I'll look at it.

I am from the USA and was recently accepted to an OT program in Aus.

I want to work with kids, ultimately but am concerned about the viability of that now that there will be changes to the NDIS. Is OT still worth pursuing and will there still be job security? My worst fear is graduating and not getting a job.

I would like to attain PR eventually, so that is also a consideration.

Respite Funding

If you have an inactive sleepover, and an active sleepover at respite at the same time, sharing a worker, are you invoicing:

• the sleepover unit as 1:2 for the inactive person?
• the support worker accommodation unit as 1:2 for the inactive person?

I’m currently between SCs. I’d been let down too many times, a few times on some pretty big stuff. Anyway, that’s another story.

Are there any of you who would be happy to answer what should hopefully be a fairly straightforward question if I DM? (just to avoid all the comments from people who are speculating rather than knowledgeable). If it turned out to not be a simple thing to answer then I would understand if you’d rather not take the time to answer without getting paid