Webinar: the NDIS audit processes explained

Proportionality applies to what the size and scope of your audit. The audit type you undertake is determined by the types of services and supports you deliver – defined as registration groups by the NDIS Commission

• Verification audits apply for providers delivering lower risk/lower complexity supports and services
• Certification audits apply for providers that deliver more complex and/or higher risk supports and services

Registration requirement by supports and services are outlined in this NDIS Commission fact sheet.

The verification audit is a desktop review of the documentation and information you provided during your self-assessment. There’s no requirement for a site visit to your business premises.

Once the audit is complete, a draft report of QIP’s findings will be provided to you and you have the opportunity to address any areas of non-conformity before the final report is submitted to the NDIS Commission.

If you are wanting to better understand the entire NDIS Commission-owned registration process and the time that it takes, the Commission provides information for providers renewing their NDIS registration; and for providers who are registering for the first time.

The different types of plan management are defined by the NDIS Commission and can be viewed in a range published communications, including on pages 10 and 11 of this Planning guide for participants.

NDIS-managed means the funding for that support is managed by the NDIA and the provider seeks payment for the service delivery, from the NDIA.

Early Childhood supports requires a certification audit. If you choose not to be an NDIS registered provider, you will only be able to support plan managed or self-managed participants.

The NDIS Commission provides clear guidelines around ‘incidental contact’ on their 'Worker screening requirements' webpage.

This may be different to the requirements previously set by state or territory governments to allow people to work in the NDIS. This means it is important that registered NDIS providers assess each role in their organisation against the new requirements, to identify which roles require worker screening, and to keep and maintain a written list of risk assessed roles and workers undertaking these roles.

This is a business decision that ultimately only you can make, but there is a strong case for doing so.

The benefits of achieving verification and becoming NDIS registered are many and varied. It provides assurance that you are:

• operating according to the high standards set by the NDIS Commission
• providing safe, high-quality services to NDIS participants
• implementing continuous quality improvement.

NDIS registration may be a valuable asset in the context of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability that is now underway and is likely to continue for a couple of years

Verification is not overly difficult (desktop audit), and once in place, it’s fairly simple.

The Scheme needs a diverse pool of verified registered providers to deliver high-quality supports to people with disability.

Registration will allow you to connect to all NDIS participants regardless of their plan type – NDIA-managed, plan managed, or self-managed by the participant.

On a straight up cost-benefit analysis – verification is relatively affordable (particularly when shared out over your three-year audit cycle).

This process is not managed by QIP – it is an NDIS Commission process. The NDIS Commission provides information about the complete NDIS registration process for providers renewing their NDIS registration; and for providers who are registering for the first time.

If you are undertaking a verification audit, the NDIS Commission outlines indemnity insurance requirements in the NDIS Practice Standards: Verification Module – Required Documentation.

Risk Management (including insurance requirements) appears on pages 3-4 for bodies corporate, and pages 5-6 for individuals and partnerships.

Yes, you can request to change auditing bodies at certain stages during your audit cycle. You will need to follow the NDIS Commission's process, which includes the requirement to advise the NDIS Commission and your current auditing body, as well as provide the new auditing body with your previous audit reports.

QIP clients have access to an ‘education and resource’ library to help businesses complete the audit process. It includes:

• Access to QIP’s accreditation hub, providing you with a secure online portal to support your audit process, including a library of useful and relevant information and templates to help deepen your understanding of the NDIS and your audit requirements, and our self-assessment software, AccreditationPro
• QIP Communications – we’ll keep you up-to-date with industry news and/or changes to the NDIS Practice Standards or evidence requirements.

Yes, there are no restrictions on you sharing this link with your team or others in your professional network who may be interested in understanding the NDIS certification and/or verification audit process.

This is a ‘hidden’ link though – you won’t be able to search and find it. Make sure you save or bookmark it!