Since 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been Australia’s primary way of supporting Australians with disabilities, funding reasonable and necessary supports for around 650,000 NDIS Participants. Payment for NDIS-funded services, in effect, is similar to Australia’s Medicare system, where the Australian Government provides funding for approved services.
Over 25,000 NDIS businesses provide supports and services to people with disability through the NDIS.
NDIS Provider Businesses help to improve the daily lives of one of Australia’s most vulnerable demographics. Registered NDIS Providers have access to:
- A wide range of potential clients, with access to National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)-managed Participant funds.
- NDIS-specific online business systems are used to manage bookings and payments.
- Supplementary training modules from the NDIS commission for both businesses and employees.
Keep reading, and reach out for more information on how to become a NDIS-registered disability service provider with help from Avaana!
How to Start an NDIS Business?
Before commencing NDIS service delivery, your Provider business must meet the NDIS industry standards. Depending on your service type, the NDIS expects different levels of quality control and compliance to be already in place before you can be registered.
All aspiring NDIS providers should aim to be business-ready before applying. And like all service providers, this starts with:
1. Identifying the Demand for Your Services or Products
While the NDIS can cover a wide range of services, your business should aim to specialise in them. The best way to be successful is to identify an open business opportunity in the disability support services market, either locally or nationally.
For an NDIS provider business wanting to offer some form of assistive support, examples include:
- Aged Care Providers
- Assistance Animal Services
- Customised Prosthetics or Support Devices
- Mindfulness Therapy Services
- Social Support Services
- Specialised Homes for Individuals
- Special Education and Tutoring Services.
However, if none of these sparks your creative juices, you might want to look through the NDIS’s list of valid services. Reviewing the list of supports and services funded by the NDIS may help you realize what your client base could look like!
2. Setting up a Business Plan
Great! Now that you have a business idea, it’s time to develop your blueprint. A solid plan is essential for any successful business, as it outlines what your venture will look like. While planning, take inspiration from other Australian businesses. Observe what they are doing well, identify areas for improvement, and recognize any mistakes they may be making.
By the time you finalize your plan, you should have clarity on the following considerations:
- What is your business name?
- What will your business structure be?
- Who is your target market, and what do they need?
- What aspects of life will your services support?
- What is your initial and future financial planning and budget?
- What will you be doing differently from your direct competitors?
- How will you market a meaningful business to your target audience?
Avaana’s in-house NDIS and business growth consultants can help you realise these crucial aspects of your business plan!
3. Business Registrations and Licences
Before you begin the NDIS paperwork, you will need to receive all required business registrations and licences required for your chosen services to ensure your business operates legally and avoids unnecessary penalties.
Having everything in place before you apply to become an NDIS business could save you a lot of time. Some elements to consider include:
- Having an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Registering a Business Name
- Tax Registration
- Acquiring appropriate insurances
- Acquiring mandatory licenses or permits for business offerings.
4. Hiring Staff and Ensuring Compliance
Finding high quality staff can be difficult in a regular business setting; however the obligations of running an NDIS Business can present even more obstacles.
If you are not a sole trader business, you will be expected to engage experienced, quality staff to deliver NDIS Services, compared to other similar businesses that do not operate under the NDIS framework.
- From your pool of potential applicants, you will need to narrow down your choices to those with the relevant qualifications, expertise and attitudes for the supports and services your NDIS Business plans to offer.
- Additionally, it is essential to ensure that all qualified candidates can pass the NDIS Worker Screening check. No Worker can provide supports and services to NDIS Participants without this check.
Now that you have your ace team, you’ll also want to implement a high-quality business management system. Investing in appropriate software will help to ensure your business maintains compliance, particularly for internal auditing purposes.
Registering as an NDIS Provider
With all the groundwork laid out, you should be well on your way to becoming an NDIS-registered provider business; however if you find this process exhaustive and complex, you can reach out to Avaana to get started!
Our in-house services can be tailored to suit your NDIS business needs. Whether you need assistance with company creation, website design or customised policy documents for Registration, Avaana can help!
1. Applying to the NDIS Commission for Provider Registration
This step is all online. You first register through the NDIS Commission Portal and fill out the required online application forms.
To Apply, you will need on hand:
- Your business’s contact details
- The corporate structure of your business
- Business address and operating locations
- List of key personnel and their contact details
- The services you’ll be providing and their relevant ‘Registration Groups’ and ‘Modules’
- A summary of your experience providing supports and services to people with disability
2. Self-assessment
As part of your online Application Form, you’ll have to complete a self-assessment. This assessment will demonstrate to the Commission how your NDIS Business meets the Provider Registration requirements. and may include supporting evidence if available.
You’ll also be asked to disclose any prior bankruptcies, convictions, or other relevant information that may impact the NDIS Commission’s decision to approve NDIS Provider Registration.
The draft Application Form will stay valid for 60 days after commencement, giving you plenty of time to ensure your Application, and unique self-assessment answers, are an accurate reflection of your NDIS Business.
3. Selecting an Approved Quality Auditor
Once the Application is lodged, it will generate an ‘Initial Scope of Audit’ document outlining your intended services and support offerings upon Registration. You will also receive an email with the Initial Scope of Audit attached, and direction to undergo either a ‘verification’ or ‘certification’ audit, depending on your type of Registration Groups/Modules included in your Application.
- Verification audits are required for lower-risk services, such as gardening and cleaning, assistive products/technologies, and therapeutic supports delivered by a regulated professional. Verification Audits focus focusing on whether you meet the minimum support delivery standards expected
- Certification audits represent higher risk complex services, such as daily carers or developmental teachers, with a greater focus on core capabilities such as risk management and delivery environment. They will also be more expensive to audit.
Either way, the burden will lie on you to finance the entire audit journey with an NDIS-approved auditor.
Luckily, the NDIS has an entire page dedicated to these auditors from which you can choose. Your chosen auditor will work with you through the entire audit process. I will help you understand the findings, answer your questions, and submit the finished audit to the NDIS commission.
4. Application Outcome
From here, the NDIS Commission will assess your business and all key personnel’s suitability. Successful applicants will now officially be NDIS registered providers with a valid registration certificate.
You’ll also receive the period of registration before it needs to be renewed, which will require another audit to ensure maintained quality. Lastly, you’ll also be given a set of conditions to maintain your certificate.
Unsuccessful applicants can request a review within three months of the original decision. If this is still unsuccessful, then you can seek an even further review from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Marketing Your NDIS Services
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations on becoming an NDIS service; however, that’s far from the last step. Being certified can only go so far by itself. But if you’re having trouble marketing your NDIS business, then here are several places to start:
1. Creating a Website
In this modern age, your dedicated business website is one of the most important things for a budding business to succeed. A unique and easily accessible design means you’re more likely to be remembered and shared.
Luckily, there are plenty of websites dedicated to helping you make your websites with free or cheap website templates for you to pick from. Just try not to stay too close to the already famous.
2. Joining the Online Directories
As a registered provider, you now have access to all the exclusive collections of NDIS databases that you can become a part of. As a budding NDIS business, you want to be on all of them.
These online directories also better allow you to be compared directly to your competitors through online business reviews, so remind your satisfied clients to leave reviews.
Some examples of these online directories include:
3. Social Media
We all know that a strong social media presence can do wonders for a brand, and it’s no different from an NDIS one. Relying in real-time to your target market helps you create better connections, promote your services, and develop a stronger brand that people will remember.
Just remember that your business media account is not your personal one and that while you can have fun with it, it’s vital that you stay professional.
4. Engaging with the Local Community
Supporting your local community is the most important aspect of your business. As a local business operating in a specific area, a significant portion of your customers will come through word of mouth.
By networking with local support coordinators and community centres while consistently delivering high-quality services, you will encourage repeat business and generate recommendations to others in their network.
There are no more steps for setting up an NDIS Business!
Starting your own NDIS business is as easy as that! If you’ve been following along, congratulations! You’re either an already functioning NDIS provider or well on your way to becoming one!
Although it may seem daunting at first, each of these services plays a crucial role, and every step is essential. Enhancing the quality of life for various participants is incredibly rewarding, just like running an NDIS business. Stay committed, and success will follow.
Interested in becoming a registered NDIS Provider but unsure or overwhelmed with how to start? Avaana provides expert advice to potential providers. They specialise in helping eligible businesses get NDIS registered with ease. Contact Avaana to take the hard work out of NDIS Provider Registration, so you can spend your energy on developing your new NDIS business!
FAQs
How to start up an NDIS business?
To start an NDIS business you should understand the NDIS framework, identify your niche, create a business plan, and register as an NDIS provider. You’ll also need to build a qualified team and ensure compliance with NDIS standards.
How do I find clients for NDIS?
Finding clients for NDIS services can be achieved through online marketing, networking with healthcare professionals, and attending NDIS events. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals also play a crucial role.
How long does it take to become an NDIS provider?
The process of becoming an NDIS provider can take several weeks to months, depending on the state and the complexity of your application. The process includes registration, audits, and obtaining necessary approvals.
Can a sole trader become an NDIS provider?
Yes, a sole trader can become an NDIS provider as long as they meet the NDIS standards, complete the registration process, and comply with the necessary regulations.
Is NDIS a profitable business?
The NDIS can be a profitable business if managed effectively. However, profitability depends on factors such as market demand, service quality, operational efficiency, and compliance with NDIS regulations.
