Understanding NDIS Provider Registration Conditions

Becoming a registered NDIS provider is a significant step, and with it comes a set of responsibilities and conditions outlined in the NDIS Act and Rules. This guide will help you understand these requirements.

Review Your Certificate of Registration

Upon registration, you will receive a certificate from the NDIS Commission. You must comply with the conditions stated on your certificate of registration, or you risk losing your registration. Review your certificate carefully and note any conditions, especially "additional conditions." Additional conditions may be imposed under Section 73G of the NDIS Act. These often relate to further assessments or audits required by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Heres an example...

Condition 1 requires an assessment of the remaining elements of the certification audit by an approved quality auditor. This audit is due three months after service delivery has commenced to participants in any of the classes of support that require certification assessment. The results must be submitted to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission by your auditor. 

But what does this condition actually mean?

Let’s break it down…

What is Remaining Elements of the Certification audit (REC Audit)?

The ‘remaining elements of the certification audit’ is often referred to as a conditional audit or stage 2 audit.

The objectives of the conditional audit are to confirm that your organisation is adhering to its policies and procedures in service delivery as well as conforming with all the applicable requirements of the NDIS Practice Standards.

The audit will be carried out by one or two approved quality auditors who will be on-site for up to 4 hours. They will review client files and staff files. They will also interview staff and participants. (Remember to inform participants they are automatically enrolled in the audit unless they opt out.)

When do I have to do the conditional audit?

“Three months after service delivery”

This means that three months after you onboard your first participant and sign a service agreement, you must have a conditional audit completed. It's essential to book this audit at least a month in advance, as auditors often have busy schedules.

“Classes of support that require Certification”

Classes of support that require certification refer to high-risk registration groups. For example, if your scope of services includes 0107 Assistance with daily personal activities (a high-risk/certification support category), you will need to undergo a conditional audit three months after starting service delivery in this category.

However, if you are currently only providing low-risk (verification) services to participants, such as 0108 Assistance with travel/transport arrangements, you do not need a conditional audit until you begin providing higher-risk services.

Heres’ a table outlining which registration groups and supports fall under certification (high risk) or verification (low risk).

Midterm Audits

Service Delivery Commencing Between 12 and 18 Months

If you start providing services to participants between 12 and 18 months from your registration date, the conditional audit must be completed as part of your midterm audit. This audit must commence no later than 18 months after your initial registration.

For example…

A provider obtained their registration on October 1st, 2024. Their condition of registration states that if they don't onboard any participants (in the certification support category) within 12 months, but then acquire a participant after this period, they can complete their conditional audit as part of their midterm audit, scheduled for April 2^nd, 2026 (18 months from the registration date).

Key Takeaways

• Familiarise yourself with the conditions on your NDIS provider registration certificate.
• Understand the requirements for conditional audits and midterm audits.
• Be aware of the timelines for completing these audits based on when you start providing services.

If you need assistance preparing for your audit, contact us for a free consultation.