Critical Audits That NDIS Providers Need to Renew or Maintain Registration

Data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics show that 1 in 6 Australians live with a disability. Thus, the Australian government supports people with disabilities through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The primary purpose of the NDIS is to help people with a permanent disability improve their skills and independence over time. Notably, organisations can register to become NDIS providers. However, an NDIS provider must meet specific requirements to maintain registration with the NDIS Commission once registered. One such condition is availing an audit to the NDIS Commission. This article highlights a few types of audits NDIS providers need to maintain registration.

Quality Audits

The NDIS Commission only registers organisations with a track record of delivering quality services. Notably, being an NDIS provider is not a lifetime title; therefore, you need to renew your registration with the NDIS Commission. Notably, the commission only accepts to renew your registration if they are satisfied that your services comply with NDIS Practice Standards. Thus, an independent quality auditor approved by the commission audits your organisation's services against the commission's standards. You should understand that the quality audit is not a one-size-fits-all assessment since NDIS providers offer different services. Thus, an independent quality auditor must ensure that assessment components are relevant to the services you deliver.

Verification Audits

A verification audit is another type of audit that NDIS providers must go through. Note that a verification audit is only necessary for providers who offer low-risk services and already operate under a professional body that requires them to meet industry standards and regulations. For instance, a chiropractor's private practice must be audited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to ascertain compliance to health standards. If such a chiropractor doubles up as an NDIS provider, they are subject to a verification audit. Thus, they must show relevant qualifications, risk management and instil policies during a verification audit. An independent auditor performs a desktop review of the documents to ascertain compliance.

Certification Audits

Unlike verification audits, certification audits are designed for NDIS providers who provide high-risk support services. Such NDIS providers do not work under the guidance of a professional body. Thus, a commission-appointed independent auditor must assess a provider's ability to deliver high-risk support against the core standards relevant to the services they offer. A certification audit focuses on risk management, delivery support and environment, and operational management. The NDIS Commission awards providers a certificate acknowledging their compliance based on an auditor's report.

For more information, reach out to a local NDIS provider.

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