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In a media release today, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced that platform providers, Support Coordinators, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers will soon need to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. While this is not a surprising development, it represents one of the biggest shake-ups the NDIS market has seen to date.
Timeline
This change will require amendments to the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018. The media release says that the Commission will begin consultation with the disability community on new Rules in October.
The Rules will have a transition period, but it is unclear how long that will be.
Why is this happening?
These changes align with the recommendations from the NDIS Provider and Workforce Registration Taskforce, which handed down its Final Report in August. The Taskforce was led by human rights lawyer Natalie Wade, and formed in February in response to the NDIS Review’s recommendation for compulsory registration or enrolment for all providers. The Report made 11 recommendations with 10 implementation actions.
Are other changes coming?
The government says that the compulsory registration for platform providers, Support Coordinators and SIL providers required immediate action. However, the response to other recommendations will be ‘designed closely with the disability community’.
According to the media release, initial consultations with the disability community will focus on the Taskforce definitions of ‘self-directed supports’ and an ‘NDIS provider.’
It is still unclear whether the government intends to implement all the Taskforce recommendations.
Where to go to learn more
This represents a massive change for many disability providers, and we understand that many of you will be experiencing strong feelings. Unfortunately, we don’t have much more information at this stage, but we’ll be sure to keep you informed with any developments.
In the meantime, you might want to check out:
- NDIS Minister Bill Shorten’s media release from today: ‘Stronger registration to begin for NDIS sector’
- The Registration Taskforce’s Final Report
- DSC’s article ‘Breaking: the Registration Taskforce’s Final Report’
- DSC’s article ‘Deep dive into the Registration Taskforce Report: Your FAQs answered’
- The NDIS Review’s Final Report
- DSC’s ‘Preparing for NDIS Registration’ workshop
