How to Start an NDIS Business?

Starting your own business can be exciting and rewarding. With the introduction of the NDIS, there are even more reasons to start a meaningful business to help people with disabilities and enjoy the feeling of being your own boss!

However, starting an NDIS business can be daunting. There are so much you need to know and do to apply successfully. You have to complete a lot of paperwork whether you are a sole trader or a company. Then, you need to engage an NDIS Approved Quality Auditor to audit the business as part of the application process. Getting your policies and procedures prepared, implementing them, and training your current or potential staff are barriers that may prevent some businesses from becoming a registered NDIS provider.

Not to worry though! Here, we will break down the steps in the hope of making the process a little easier for you.

Pros and cons of starting an NDIS business

Are you ready to face the process of starting an NDIS business? Here are some of the pros and cons of the process:

• Pros
• As a registered NDIS provider, it is rewarding helping people with disabilities to have a better life and take away some of the burden from their families.
• There is a huge ongoing demand for providers who deliver top-quality services and support to NDIS participants.
• Ongoing government funding will be available to support the disability sector in providing a wide range of services.
• Cons
• Becoming accredited as a registered NDIS service provider can be overwhelming with the level of knowledge and number of documents you need.
• The market is flooded with consultants offering to help you become a registered NDIS provider. They are expensive and they offer little after-sales support.
• Preliminary capital is required to prepare your NDIS policies, procedures and templates and to go through the audit in order to become a registered provider.

Five Steps on how to start an NDIS business

LMS TRG can assist you through the process of starting up your own NDIS business. To begin with, we recommend the following steps:

Step 1 – Complete the Online Application Form

To start the process of becoming a registered NDIS service provider, fill out the NDIS application form. You will need to provide:

1. Information about you and/or your company such as:
• Contact details
• Company structure
• Business address and/or where you operate from
• Key personnel
2. In order to find out what NDIS practice standards apply to your company, you need to select all the registration groups that you require.
3. Based on your answers, the form will ask you to complete a self-assessment of the relevant services and support you are going to offer to NDIS participants. You will also need to upload relevant documents to provide evidence.

You can save the form at any time and have 60 days to complete it. LMS TRG has developed programs that have the information you need to complete your NDIS application process.

Step 2 – Prepare your Quality System (NDIS Policies, procedures, and templates)

As per the NDIS Practice Standards, providers must develop, implement and maintain a Quality Management system. NDIS providers have three options when setting up their Quality Systems:

1. Develop and write their own NDIS policies, procedures, and templates in accordance with the NDIS practice standard
2. Compile the NDIS policies, procedures, and templates from available documents (or Google them!)
3. Purchase ready-to-use NDIS policies, procedures, and templates and amend them as needed

Step 3 – Select an Approved Quality Auditor     

Once you complete and submit your application, you will be asked to do a “self-assessment” on the NDIS portal. After submitting the self-assessment, the NDIS Commission will send you a file that contains the ‘initial scope of the audit’ required. The document will let you know whether you need a verification or certification audit and what applies to your practice. It will also let you know the standards you need to meet.

Step 4 – Undergo an Audit

Your audit journey starts after selecting an approved quality auditor and providing them with your audit scope. The process is different for verification and certification audits. Your auditor will take into account the size and complexity of the services and support you deliver. You must have all your processes, policies, and procedures in place, as well as the documentation before the audit commences.

Enroling in LMS TRG's NDIS Audit-Ready Program prepares you for the verification or certification audit required for NDIS registration.

Step 5 – Post Audit Activity

After the auditor has submitted their report and recommendation to the Commission, you need to wait for the NDIS Commission to make a decision. When the decision has been made, the NDIS Commission will let you know whether you were successful or not and the reasons why.

LMS TRG’s NDIS Audit-Ready Programs include the information and steps you need to take after completing your audit and the implications of any nonconformities.

Conclusion

Now you have the information you need to help you successfully apply for NDIS registration as a service provider. Work through every step. Using LMS TRG's online programs will help you prepare yourself for what you need to know and help you achieve a favourable outcome.

Once you achieve registration you can start working with NDIS participants to make a positive difference in their lives. And, if you need assistance for your NDIS registration or renewal, see our NDIS page or contact us. We are here to help.

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