Where does Pilates fit within the NDIS?
Industry recognised instructors are eligible to work with clients under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Navigating the available information, obligations and requirements, can however be somewhat daunting.
The information below is a brief outline of what it means to provide your services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), along with what it means to be a registered or a non-registered NDIS provider.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible for delivering the NDIS. If your clients NDIS funding is NDIA-managed, then you must be a registered NDIS provider in order to deliver your services to your client through their NDIS plan (see further information below).
What is an NDIS provider?
A provider is a person, business or organisation who delivers NDIS funded supports to participants. Providers have different areas of experience and expertise. NDIS registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. All providers (registered or unregistered) must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct.
If your clients NDIS funding is NDIA-managed, you must be a registered NDIS provider in order to deliver your services to your client through their NDIS plan. NDIS clients who are either, 1) self-managed or, 2) have a plan manager, to manage their plan funding, can use either NDIS registered providers or unregistered providers (NDIS Commission, 2023).
Who can apply to become a registered provider and what is the cost?
There are a number of requirements that providers must meet to become registered and maintain registration with the NDIS Commission.
The initial information submission has zero charge attached. The cost is the auditing process and subsequent certification, which is determined by the business size and complexity. Auditing organisations have their own price rates.
- Verification audit is required for providers providing a less complex service or at low risk. The cost can be estimated $900 to $1500.
- Certification audits are designed for ‘higher risk’ services and supports. The cost may vary from $2000 to $6000.
There can be additional costs in developing and maintaining policy and procedure, (Aspire Care, Homecare and Disability Service, 2023).
Do I need to register as a NDIS provider to be eligible in assisting NDIS clients?
No, you do not have to be a registered provider. However, there will be some limitations to the clients that you are able to work with, depending on what plan they are under.
Unregistered providers can provide services under the two areas of funding, which are:
- Plan Managed – Under this fund providers do not have to be NDIS registered, but they still have to adhere to the NDIS price limits and code of conduct.
- Self-Managed – Under this fund providers still have to adhere to the code of conduct but are not restricted by the price caps.
The above allow the participants to exercise their choice and control in choosing the provider they want to work with, irrespective of registration status. However, the provider is still required to have the relevant qualifications within their field of
expertise.
Who do NDIS Providers (you) Work With?
Plan managers. A registered plan management provider will manage the clients NDIS funding and subsequent budget that the funding is allocated to. This includes the support programs that are within the clients NDIS plan.
Support coordinators. Support coordinators help NDIS participants to implement supports in their plan, including informal, government services, community activities and funded supports.
Services and supports that can be delivered under the NDIS
Supports fall into 15 categories aligned with their purpose. Improved Health and Wellbeing is number 12 and is where our services as Pilates instructors may lay. Note: The NDIS does not pay for gym memberships.
The NDIS does Not support the following
A support will not be funded if it:
- Is not related to the participant’s disability.
- Is the same as other supports delivered under different funding through the NDIS
- Relates to day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s support needs.
- Is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others.
- Can be more appropriately or effectively delivered by another system, such as health or education.
How to bring awareness to your client’s, that you support the NDIS.
If you are an un-registered NDIS provider there are legal restrictions on the wording that you can use. The use of the NDIS Logo is not permitted. However, there are still ways to promote your services. For example. We welcome NDIS clients for those that are plan or self-managed with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
If you are a registered NDIS provider, then you will have additional rights, such as displaying the NDIS Logo and stating yourself as being a ‘registered NDIS provider.
Your legal responsibilities as a provider for the NDIS
It is important to understand the legal requirements along with your responsibilities as a provider, including pricing, invoicing and reporting. For more information visit your legal requirements.
Pricing caps
This link further outlines pricing caps for NDIS
https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements
NDIS Jargon explained:
What’s The Difference Between the NDIS Commission, The NDIS and the NDIA?
NDIS Commission
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme, governed by the NDIS Act 2013.
NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the Commonwealth agency responsible with delivering the NDIS. (NDIS Commission, 2023).
REFERENCES
NDIS Commission, 2023. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/
Aspire Care, Homecare and Disability Service, 2023. https://auspirecare.com.au/
Research Simmone Cser-Pratzky
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