Using your NDIS Funds

This article covers:

• How to buy an iPad if you are Self Managed or Plan Managed?
• How to buy an iPad if you are Agency Managed
• Do my NDIS funds cover an iPad Case?

At MyCareSpace we have received many calls asking us how to actually buy those iPads using NDIS funding (initiated by the COVID19 Assistive Technology funding made available by the NDIS).

We made a step by step guide to help Participants, Support Coordinators and Service Providers on how to use NDIS funds to buy devices to continue with online therapy supports.

NOTE: this guide can extend to purchasing ANY device like a small laptop or tablet from ANY provider that is not NDIS registered. The same process is followed.

How to buy an iPad if you are Self Managed or Plan Managed?

Firstly, for iPad Apple is the easiest provider to go to, as they have heaps of stock (we confirmed) and are familiar with sending a Pro Forma Invoice for pre-payment. They are familiar with the NDIS funding for iPad and very helpful on the phone. 

Here's what to do to buy your iPad or other smart device using your NDIS funds:

1. Call Apple Sales on 133 622 and select option 1. If you are using another provider, call them directtly.
    
2. An Apple sales rep will ask what model you want - see the different models here . The total funds available are $750 (incl a case).
    
3. TIP: You should include an iPad cover as this is essential and is covered by your AT funds.
    
4. Apple will ask you for your contact details: name, phone, and delivery address.
    
5. Apple will ask you for the name and email address of the person who needs to receive the pro forma invoice.
   • This will be your name and address if you are self-managed.
   • If you are plan managed it can be you (and you can email it to your plan manager) or it could be your plan manager's details. 
      
6. If you are plan managed:
   • ​​ Your plan manager will submit the claim to the NDIS and pay Apple via bank deposit.
      
7.  If you are self-managed (and what to get PAID FIRST):
   • ​​you submit the invoice for payment on the NDIS portal
   • when you receive the funds, you can pay Apple via bank deposit details on their invoice
   • keep your invoice
     ​
8.  If you are self-managed (and DON'T MIND PAYING FOR IT):
   1. Purchase the iPad with your own funds
   2. Then claim it back from the NDIS
   3. keep your invoice
       
9. The iPad is dispatched for delivery as soon as they receive payment for it.

How to buy an iPad if you are Agency Managed

It can be just as easy if you are agency managed if your supports know how to do it!

There are very few registered NDIS providers who sell iPads and most of them are out of stock, so you need help from a Registered NDIS Provider to buy your iPad.

This can be your Support Coordinator (if you have one) or your Therapy Provider like a Physio or OT, Speechie etc. It can be any NDIS registered provider really.

They follow the same steps above and get a Pro Forma invoice from Apple (or any other NDIS provider who is not registered), submit it for payment on the NDIS portal and then pay Apple.

Apple delivers the iPad to you!

Do my NDIS funds cover an iPad Case?

Yes, the NDIS says that a "standard protective case" can be funded so make sure you get some protection on it! Also if you need extra protection due to elements of a disability like behaviour issues, you can spend a bit more on your case. 

PS: Sorry but headphones are not covered.

Do I have to buy an iPad?

The NDIS does not say you have to buy an iPad. It says you can buy a computer tablet or smart device that is  "the lowest specification that will maintain funded supports". It has indicated that AT specialists have indicated the cost should be around $600 but the total funds available are $750. The NDIS also confirmed with us that if a participant wanted to spend more than $750 they could pay the balance.

For more information on this policy see our resource:

• NDIS FUNDING FOR IPADS TO CONTINUE THERAPY ONLINE DURING COVID19

References:

• NDIS Website: Low Cost Assistive Technology for Support Continuity during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Are you ready?

Most people feel nervous right before they move. 

This is where your goals can help you, even stick them on your wall to help you get past any nerves. 

Think of the reasons why you are moving and all of the good things that could happen. 

And remember that if anything goes wrong, you can just move again.  That is what people do all the time until they find the place that is right for them.

Are others ready?

Sometimes it is very hard for others to take a step back as you become independent.  You can say things like ‘Thankyou so much for looking after me for all this time, but I am ready to do some things on my own now.  Let me show you’.

What do you need now?

Create a folder or a notepad or a box that will become your ‘Toolbox’. 

Put emergency numbers, details of people who support you, and other reminders of where to get help when you need it.  This way you can find what you need quickly which is important especially if you are having a really bad day.

What will you need in 6 months?

Ask yourself if you are having a good time in the house and if anything could be improved. 

Also pat yourself on the back for how you have grown, how you have resolved anything already, and just for being amazing. 

You may have learnt some independent skills meaning you can reduce the hours your support staff are needed.  Or you may be ready to tackle something new outside of the house like join a local club. 

Ask yourself these questions and write them down.  It might be fun to look back in a year and see how you have changed:

1. What do you think will be the biggest challenge with living independently?
2. What are you looking forward to most?
3. What will you miss the most about where you currently live?
4. What won’t you miss about where you currently live?

Once you know your needs and restrictions and have defined the type of housing that you want it is time to search and apply for the house and the funding. 

It can be a juggle getting the timing right as sometimes you need the housing first to apply for the funding and sometimes you need the funding to apply for the house.

Providers and Real Estate agents are aware of this juggle so the best thing to do is be honest and keep them up to date with where you are at.

When it's time to search and apply for funding, here are the options:

NDIS

The NDIS funding includes 4 disability housing options:

1. SDA is the specialised building you live in.

2. SIL is the supports you receive from people paid to help you live independently in your house.
    
3. CORE is supports that can be used in the house or in the community ‘flexibly’.
    
4. ILO is funding to find, create and manage a specialised housing arrangement.
    

1. SDA – Specialist Disability Accommodation

If the design of a house could make you more independent or safer then SDA may be for you. 

How can I apply for SDA?

1. You need a Housing Goal - Include housing goal in NDIS plan
    
2. Create a Housing Plan including housing needs. This will usually be done by your Support Coordinator and an Occupational Therapist (or by yourself and any Allied Health professional that helps you). 
    
3. Send this to NDIA and they will assess if you need SDA funding. 
   If you do they will fit you into one of four ‘Design Standards’ (below) which defines your SDA level. Your SDA level is yours for life, you do not need to reapply unless you want the level reassessed.

4 ‘Design Standards'

1. Improved Liveability - Basic physical needs such as wider doors or luminous contrasts
    
2. Fully Accessible - Physical needs such as wheelchair access to the bathroom and kitchen.
    
3. High Physical Support - Higher physical needs such as ceiling hoists and communicative technology.
    
4. Robust  - Behaviour resilient with strong walls, lines of sight and retreat areas for staff and persons.

TIP: Read Valid’s Top 10 Things to Know About SDA (Plain English Guide – also explains SIL)

2. SIL  - Supported Independent Living

The intent of SIL is to support participants to improve their capacity for independent living, rather than provide day-to-day activities for the participant.  

It is generally for 24/7 care in a house where care is shared amongst the housemates.  

If you are unhappy with the SIL provider you can change at any time.  This is tricky if you are in a share house and the SIL provider is shared amongst you all. 

Some rental agreements lock a SIL provider into the contract so you may not be able to change until the contract expires.

How can I apply for SIL?

1. You need a Housing Goal - Include housing goal in your NDIS plan

2. Provide reports and assessments to NDIA to show supports required to assist in achieving your independent living goal 

3. SIL will be included in your plan as Quote Pending (if approved)

4. SIL provider (an organisation that offers SIL) quotes their services after you have found the house you want to live in. 
   This is sent directly to NDIA who, if approved, will add the funding to your NDIS plan but will pay and liaise directly with the SIL provider. 

3. CORE

This includes supports that enable NDIS participants to complete activities of daily living and enable participants to work towards their goals and meet their objectives.

Transport and assistance with household tasks are examples of core supports.

TIP: Read the NDIS Booklet 3 (page 6) for and explanation of CORE 

4. ILO - Individual Living Options:

These are living arrangements that focus on the individual. They include Living Alone, Co-Residency, Host Arrangements and Living Together options. They are an alternative to group home services.  The packages are tailored and flexible and closely monitored.

To get an ILO you would use an ILO provider to help you define what you want then find and create it. The ILO provider would create a quote which you would then email to NDIS for review.

ILO is still in pilot phase so it is not yet widely funded yet.  Stay tuned. MyCareSpace is following its progress closely.

Home Modifications

Home modifications are changes to the structure, layout or fittings of a participant’s home so they safely access it and move around comfortably in areas they frequently use. 

The process would be to get quotes for the modifications (including equipment, labour and servicing) and send to the NDIA with reports from an Allied Health to back up the need.

TIP: See the NDIS doc Home Modifications Explained.

Mainstream Services

It is very important not to limit your options to ‘disability services’. 

Even if you have daily support needs, you can live anywhere.  Just find the house and use your Core funding to organise support staff to help you when you need it.

You can view houses for sale and rent by asking in local offices for their listings or going online:

• Domain
• RealEstate.com.au

Buying a Home 

Purchasing houses can be made using Trusts (Special Disability Trust and other types of Trusts are also used) which protect vulnerable people with a disability so they have a home forever. 

Shared Home Ownership is offered through the government for low income earners and is another option.  

To get a loan to buy a home you need to have saved up a deposit which is usually around 20% of the total purchase price and apply through a bank.  Usually you get bank approval first and then look for a house.

Renting

To rent you find a rental that you like and apply either directly through the Real Estate agency or online. 

They will want you to:

• prove your income,
• prove your ID, and
• Show a rental history or letter of recommendation that you are a good tenant (ie clean, pays rent on time, does not damage house). 

If you are approved, you will need to pay 1 month's rent in advance and a bond (also 1 month rent).  You get the bond refunded to you when you move out if you have not damaged the property.

State Housing Services

NRAS – National Rental Affordability Scheme

It is also important not to give up if you have a low income. 

The National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) and the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) direct each State to deliver services to support low cost housing, social inclusion and crisis supports.

Each State and Territory has a different approach:

Most state services offer:

• Crisis & emergency accommodation
• Help if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness or family violence

Social, Public and Community housing

Social housing is short and long-term rental housing, made up of public and community housing (cheaper rent than mainstream but there is usually a long waiting list so put your name down asap as a long-term plan)

Movable Units

Movable units are movable buildings that can be set up in the backyard of a friend, relative or carer's home (these can also be purchased privately at a cost)

Rental Assistance and Bond Loan Assistance

Rental Assistance can be fortnightly with your Disability Support Pension (Centrelink) or one-off payments when you are in need.  Bond Loan Assistance will pay the whole bond (when you move into a Rental this is usually 1 months rent) and is paid back when you leave the property (the full bond is returned if the house is clean and has no damage)

• Victoria
• New South Wales
• Western Australia
• Queensland
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory

Disability Specific Housing Services

Search, find, call and go through the provider's Intake process. 

• Housing, SIL and other services 

• Disability housing (mostly SDA and SSA) 
• Disability housing (mostly SDA and SSA) and Housemate matching
• Disability-friendly housing (SDA, social housing and Real Estate listings)
• Housemate Matching for Accessible, Inclusive and Assistive Homes

Here are some ideas of things to do with a support worker, especially during home isolation. 

Some tips to start with:

• Look at the goals in the plan – what activities might help you progress toward those goals?
• SMS a copy of your Companion Card (if you have one) to your trusted support workers to save trying to remember it when they go out.
• How about making a book of activity options (with photos) so that they can choose what they want to do.

Things to make at home during isolation:

Things to do Out and About

Finding the right housing option

There are so many housing options available, but not all of them will suit you or make you happy. 

It is important at this point to be very honest about your needs and restrictions (such as cost). 

Your needs = what you cannot live without (E.g. you want to live by the beach)

Your restrictions = what will limit your choices (E.g. stairs or the price of living near the beach) 

Don’t give up, just be realistic. 

There may be a cheaper ground floor apartment up the road with full access to the beach!  

Note – everything funded by the NDIS can also be paid for privately if that is your choice.

Housing options you could choose from

Buy or Rent

Whether you buy or rent, you can still find the same housing options - the person you pay for it changes!

Buying a house may include you working with the bank to get a loan, a Real Estate Agent to find a house, or an SDA provider to have a purpose-built house.

If someone is buying a house for you to live in, they may set up a Trust (such as a Disability Trust) so that the house is looked after for you. 

Renting is when you pay a weekly amount to live in someone else’s house.  You may rent from a Real Estate agent, an SDA provider, a supported accommodation provider, or a Community Housing organisation or others.

Modified House – Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or Home Modifications

If your disability makes it hard for you to access things like stairs, a shower/bath, high bench tops or hearing the doorbell, you can have houses modified to make your home work for you. 

The NDIS can fund home modifications if you have a quote and an assessment done (by an allied health practitioner) to show the necessity. 

SDA funding will pay the gap between a standard house and a modified house (renting and buying). SDA funding is only provided to a small proportion of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet specific eligibility criteria. 

SDA has 4 categories ranging from basic modifications, such as wider doors, to robust designs that won’t smash down.  You need to apply to NDIA to have your level determined (ask your LAC or Support Coordinator to assist you).

Support workers – Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Core or other

Support needs in the home can vary from needing someone to hoist you in and out of bed, to someone helping you to cook and clean, to someone who helps you to just get out of bed on the really hard days. Core supports are funded in your NDIS plan for a certain number of hours (as per individual needs) and can be used for help at home, assistance going out, or even assistance while you are on holiday.  SIL supports are funded in your NDIS plan by a quote the provider creates and can only be used within the house or as per the quote.  SIL supports are generally 24/7 so your house usually has a sleepover room close by for the worker.  Usually all the people in the house share the SIL supports and use the same provider although you can all have separate providers if you want. 

Individual Living Options (ILO)

ILO is a recent funding option available under NDIS but has been around under names like Home Share and Host Family for a long time. 

The NDIS website says it includes:

• Living Alone,
• Co-Residency,
• Host Arrangements and
• Living Together options. 

Each option will be quoted individually as an arrangement is struck up. 

ILO providers will assist with creating the options and writing and maintaining the agreements.  An example of an ILO could be a person with a disability owning a home and renting out a room for a reduced rent to someone who in turn offers support as stated in the ILO agreement.    

Living alone or with Housemates

Although living alone seems ideal (especially if your reason to move is noisy housemates) it is important to be real about who you are as a person. 

Would you like to eat breakfast alone, and come home to an empty house? If that sounds like bliss, then great!  But if you had a great housemate would that be better than being alone, and if so, what is a great housemate? 

Would you like your housemate to be chatty, or clean, or a great cook, or someone you can work well with to manage a house, or someone who just loves all the same tv shows that you do? 

If you take your time choosing the right housemate, then it will make your house a home. 

This is a developing space in the market currently so I would suggest there will be some great housemate matching sites or apps very soon.

Things to consider

Budget

This includes how much money you earn and how much funding you can get.  This is vital information to know before you move out.

As a rough guide your rent should be no more than a third of your income. 

On top of that, you will need to budget for food, utilities (electricity, gas, water), phone, internet, travel, fun, savings and more.

Here is a tool to help you work out your budget.

Can you earn more money? Can you reduce costs? 

If you have a very low income and you cannot earn more money you may need to share, care or live in a cheaper location.

Do not give up on your goal however, you just need to be smart about your options.

Location

Depending on your individual life you can live anywhere you choose. 

However, you may want to be near work or family, public transport, shops, the library, or the hospital. 

Your budget will influence where you live: you could choose to live in a great house near public transport that will easily get you to work and family, or a smaller flat that is within walking distance from work and family. 

You need to choose the location that will give you the best access to a community of people that suit you. 

Do you like gardening, or getting a coffee, or just sitting somewhere and watching nature.  These things can be found for you and will be the things that extend beyond your home to make your whole community your home.

C – Core
Cap – Capital 
CB – Capacity Building 

(Note that you only need funding if you cannot do this yourself.  The more you direct this yourself the better.)

IDEAS

This is the ideas stage where you work out what you want.

More help on setting your Housing Goal Here 

YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS

This is where you explore the housing options that will help you reach your housing goal.

What Disability Housing Options are there - find out here

FIND THE HOUSE AND GET IT

This is where you connect with providers, investigating options and finding the one you like the best.

Find out how to find the house and get it!

MOVE OUT - MAKING YOU READY

This is the start of your adventure!

Moving Out - Find out more

The NDIS defines transport costs in 2 ways: General Transport Supports and Activity-Based Transport.

Activity-Based transport costs can as a result of delivering both CORE (personal care) and CAPACITY BUILDING supports (social, therapeutic supports etc).

This resource answers the following questions:

• What is the general rule about claiming for travel?
• What happens when a support worker uses their car or some other way to drive me somewhere?
• What about my support worker's additional costs like parking, tolls and petrol?
• How much can a support worker claim as additional transport costs?
• When can an NDIS support provider charge you for travel?
• How much can my NDIS support provider charge me for travel?
• How much can an NDIS provider charge me for travel when they provide Capacity Building supports like therapies?
• How do I submit a claim for travel in the MyPlace Portal?
• What transport costs CAN'T be claimed from my NDIS Plan?

1. NDIS General Transport Supports

What is the general rule about claiming for travel/transport?

Here are the key points:

• Transport funding is for participants who cannot use public transport due to their disability.

  They receive funding to pay a provider (support worker, taxi, uber) to transport them to an activity. For example: travelling to and from work or appointments.

• This funding can only be used for transporting a participant and cannot be paid to someone in your family to drive you around. 

• The amount of funding you receive will depend on your individual circumstances.
   
• As a self managed participant you will receive a transport allowance every 2 weeks.
   
• This funding is claimed from the Transport support category in the CORE budget.
   

2. NDIS Activity-Based Transport

This is travel that is required by a provider to deliver a service or for you to access a service. Here are some examples:

What happens when a support worker drives you somewhere?

• You may need a support worker to accompany you on a community outing and/or to transport you from your home to the community (and back) for things like shopping, social events, or appointments. 

  The time the support worker spends transporting you can be claimed at their agreed support hourly rate. 

  For example:
  A support worker drives a participant to a community activity which is 30 min away. The time spent at the activity is 2 hours. They drive home again afterwards.
  The total amount used from the NDIS plan is 3 hours @ support worker hourly rate. 
   

• This travel amount can be claimed from the relevant Assistance with social and community participation support item in the participant’s CORE budget.
   
• It can also cover the time it takes your support worker to travel to and from your residence.
   
• Core support providers cannot claim for time spent travelling back to their usual place of business.
   
• If more than one person is being transported, group support rates apply. 

What about my support worker's additional costs like parking, tolls and petrol?

• If a support worker incurs extra 'non labour' costs, you can now claim these as part of the community participation support funding in your plan (from your CORE).
   
• Extra non-labour costs may be:
  • the cost of a ticket for public transport
  • road tolls
  • parking fees
  • the running costs of the vehicle
• IMPORTANT: You have to agree to pay these amounts first, so providers will need to discuss it upfront - your service agreement should cover this.
   
• This amount is claimed in the portal under Assistance with social and community participation > Activity Based Transport in the CORE section of your plan.

How much can a support worker claim as additional transport costs?

The amount that you can pay a provider is not price-controlled, but the NDIS has provided a guide as to what is considered reasonable:

• up to $0.85 a kilometre for a vehicle that is not modified for accessibility
• up to $2.40 a kilometre for a vehicle that is modified for accessibility or a bus
• other forms of transport or associated costs up to the full amount, such as road tolls, parking, public transport fares

For example: A support worker drives a participant to a community activity which:

• is 20km away 
• takes them 30 min to drive each away
• the support worker uses their own car that is not modified
• there is a toll cost of $5 
• there is a parking cost of $15
• the time spent at the activity is 2 hours

​The total amount that can be claimed from your NDIS plan is:

3 hours of support + $5 Toll + $15 parking + $0.85 x 40km running costs

When can an NDIS support provider charge you for travel?

Providers can only claim travel costs when delivering support if:

1. The NDIS Support Catalogue (price list) includes a line for the cost of travel when delivering the service (look for a 'Y' in the column called 'Provider Travel' next to each line item).
    
2. Your service agreement specifies that travel costs can be claimed); and
   1. The provider pays the worker delivering the support for the time they spent travelling OR
   2. The provider is a sole trader and is travelling from their usual place of work to or from the participant, or travelling between participants

Note: a provider cannot charge for the time spent travelling between their last participant and their home.

How much can my NDIS support provider charge me for travel?

A support provider can claim for:

• the time spent travelling to a participant with a maximum amount of time claimed as:
  • 30 minutes in MMM1-3 areas (most participants fall into this MMM area as it includes major cities, inner regional and some outer regional)
  • 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas (Regional)
  • Negotiated for MMM 6-7 areas (Remote)
     
• Where a worker is travelling to provide services to more than one participant in a ‘region’ then the provider must apportion that travel time between the participants, with the agreement of each participant in advance. 

What is MMM? Check the MMM Locator to see the cost of the service delivered

How much can an NDIS provider charge me for travel when they provide Capacity Building supports like therapies?

Capacity building supports include services like Occupational therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, Behaviour Therapy etc.

Capacity building providers are able to claim for provider travel if there is a  'Y' in the 'Provider Travel' column in the Support Catalogue for the service line item.

These providers can charge you for the travel time spent travelling to your appointment and also the time spent getting home afterward if you are their last appointment.

Capacity building providers can claim for:

• The time spent travelling to each participant with a maximum amount of time claimed as:

  • 30 minutes in MMM1-3 areas (most participants fall into this MMM area as it includes major cities, inner regional and some outer regional)

  • 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas (Regional)

PLUS they can charge for the time spent travelling from the last participant back to their usual place of work.

The maximum amount of travel time that they can claim for the time spent on return travel is identical:

• 30 minutes in MMM1-3 areas (most participants fall into this MMM area as it includes major cities, inner regional and some outer regional)
• 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas (Regional)

Where a worker is travelling to provide services to more than one participant in a ‘region’ then the provider should apportion that travel time (including the return journey where applicable) between the participants, with the agreement of each participant in advance.

How do I submit a claim for travel in the MyPlace Portal?

The claim for travel is submitted separately to the claim for the primary support (the support for which the travel is necessary).

For Core Supports:  the same line item as the primary support and the “Provider Travel” option in the Myplace portal.

When claiming for travel in respect of a support, a provider should use the same hourly rate as they have agreed with the participant for the primary support (or a lower agreed rate for travel) in calculating the claimable travel cost.

For Capacity Building Supports: you can pay providers of the following capacity building line items for Activity Based Transport when they are delivering their supports

• Finding and keeping a job
• Improved learning
• Improved living arrangements
• Increased social and community participation (cost of the activity)
• Improved relationships
   
• Example: include supermarket trips with a support worker, going to the footy with a support worker or going for a coffee with a support worker. 
   
• This amount can be claimed from the relevant CAPACITY BUILDING Transport support item. For example: 

  

How has this changed recently (March 2020)?

Previously if your support budget did not include funding for transport, you could NOT use your plan funds to pay this cost. These additional non-labour costs would have been charged as an out of pocket expense.

Now you can claim this amount from your CORE (Assistance with social and community participation > Activity Based Transport) or from your CAPACITY BUILDING (Select Categories > Activity Based Transport)

What transport costs CAN'T be claimed from my NDIS Plan?

• Doctor's appointments
   
• Visiting friends
   
• Travelling independently - for example if you are catching public transport to a community participation event, you cannot claim this amount.
   
• Providers of SLES supports cannot be paid for Activity Based Transport related to the delivery of the supports. 

MyCareSpace recently presented a webinar titled: How use your NDIS funds to smash barriers & create innovative post school options (employment, social & community participation)

We spoke about how to start a business (a micro enterprise) and the BIG question on most people's lips was "how can I use my NDIS funding to start a business?"

We asked Libby Ellis of InCharge - an organisation that helps people start a very small business or micro enterprise - to give us some ideas about how funding could be used for different aspects of a micro enterprise.

She told us to remember that it really makes life easier if you are self or plan managed. If you are NDIA managed (also called Agency managed) you will need to find or negotiate with a registered provider who can deliver a more personalised approach based on the services and tasks you need assistance with. If you have a Support Coordinator, this kind of research and negotiation is something they can help with.

In principle, it is good to think about the kinds of things that might act as a barrier to you in starting your own business because of the impact of your disability. Then, how could your NDIS funding reduce or solve that barrier?

Some examples might be:

• Help you think about your skills, strengths and interests and link these with a business idea
• Assist you develop a business or marketing plan
• Find others who can help you make a business or marketing plan
• Help to understand legal issues
• Help to find legal advice
• Organising the systems you need - for example, recording your stock or money management
• Assist you to make your product or deliver your service
• Having equipment that helps you work in your business more independently
• Teach you the steps of making your product or delivering a service
• Creating visual or other supports which help you do your job
• Learning behaviours which are appropriate to your business  - for example customer service skills

InCharge is part of a project that supports people with disability in western Sydney and western NSW who want to learn about starting a small business.

If you live in western Sydney or the lower Blue Mountains you can find out more here. You can also check out the group's Facebook page here. 

If you live in Dubbo you can find out more here. 

Here is a list of other ideas and their NDIS funding support categories: 

Other Resources

Here are organisations that support employment, provide mentoring or help start a business:

NSW

• Mind Your Business (by InCharge)
• National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program
  • How do I find an NDCO
  • Adcet
  • NDCO: Pathways and Connections (Hunter - Central Coast) AWESOME EXAMPLE OF RESOURCES

• Workways NDIS Employment Services (Illawarra region
• Cerebral Palsy Career Labs
• Cerebral Palsy SLES options
• Uni 2 Beyond
• The Verge Collaborative
• The Rural Woman
• Challenge Community Service Preparing for Work Program - Contact Katie Butler 
• Challenge Community Services Employment  

​SA

• Flinders University - Up the Hill Project
• Community Living Project - MicroEnterprise Project

VIC

• Lifeful - Employment Support
• Belonging Matters
• Inclusion Melbourne

WA

• Valued Lives Micro-enterprise Project: FB Page / Website
• Colab

What are the rules for an NDIS service agreement?

An NDIS service agreement acts as a promise between an NDIS provider and an NDIS Participant to provide a service for payment in return.

Service Agreements are different from an NDIS plan. An NDIS plan lists the NDIS funding a Participant receives, but a Service Agreement is about delivering that support in return for NDIS funding.

Typically, an NDIS service provider is engaged to provide a particular service and in return, the NDIS Participant provides them with funding from their NDIS plan. 

What should a Service Agreement contain?

A service agreement should include:

• the name of the Participant (and their NDIS Number)
• the name and address of the Provider
• the type of service/support that will be provided (known as a Statement of Supports)
• the cost of those supports and total dollar value of service to be provided (Note: prices cannot be increased when NDIS rates increase unless specified in the service agreement)
• the payment terms
• how, when and where the Participant requires the supports to be delivered
• how long the Participant requires the supports to be provided
• when and how the Service Agreement will be reviewed (i.e with each new NDIS Support Catalogue release)
• how the Participant and provider will deal with any problems, complaints or questions that may arise
• what the Participant’s responsibilities are under the Service Agreement
• what the provider’s responsibilities are under the Service Agreement
• what notice is needed for the Participant or provider to change or end the Service Agreement and how this is done

Did you know?

The Australian Tax Office requires a  written service agreement if the service is GST free?

When not charging GST on services, the ATO states that there must be a written agreement between an NDIS Provider and an NDIS Participant (or another person).

Find out more

What format should an NDIS Service Agreement be in?

Does an NDIS service agreement have to be written?

A service agreement protects both the service provider and the Participant, giving each of them recourse when the terms of service are not met.

Service Agreements should be simple and a Participant needs to be able to understand it. 

A service agreement could be a document, use pictures or even be a video depending on a Participant's circumstances.

As a provider, you may have your own standard service agreement, but a Participant does have the right to create their own with your agreement.

Is your Service Agreement Legally Binding?

Many NDIS service providers do not have a service agreement in place when delivering services. Those that do have a service agreement often don't have one that is legally binding!

Make sure you have your service agreement drawn up by a legal team that tailors it to your services specifically (not a template that you filled in the gaps!)

Speak to our legal team to get a free legal health check and find out more about getting affordable help with legal things like Service Agreements, Employment Contracts and more.

Get a free legal health check

What strategies are in place to support NDIS participants to make a complaint?

Including those who may not have capacity to communicate an issue directly to the NDIS Commission?

If your service provider is not behaving as they should, you do have options. 

You have the right to complain to the NDIS Commission about the services you receive.

Participants are encouraged to raise concerns or complaints with their provider first, as this is often the best way to have issues resolved quickly.

All registered NDIS providers must have a complaints management and resolution system in place. This is a requirement of their NDIS registration so be sure to ask about this if you are dealing with a registered provider and you are unhappy about their service.

You can seek support from family, friend or an independent advocate to support you to make a complaint. You can use the Disability Advocacy Finder to find a disability advocate.

In states and territories that the NDIS Commission is operating (all states except WA which joins on 1 July 2020), a complaint can be made to the NDIS Commission by:

• Phoning: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines) or TTY 133 677. Interpreters can be arranged.
• National Relay Service and ask for 1800 035 544
• Completing a Complaint Contact Form.

You can find more information about the complaints process on the NDIS Commission’s website.

Source:

• NDIS Commission FAQ