Search this site

The funding that you receive as part of your NDIS plan can make a HUGE difference in helping you to achieve your goals and live your life. Which is why it is so important for you to keep track of your spending and ensure that you don’t fall into the trap of overspending. To help you better understand managing your NDIS funding, we wanted to share our five top tips to avoid overspending on your NDIS budget. Tip #1: Break it down When you receive your NDIS plan, review which support categories – Core Supports, Capital Supports and Capacity Building Supports – that you have been funded for and how much that funding is. The Core Support category is flexible, meaning you can move funding around within that category. Capital and Capacity Building Supports are not flexible, and funding must be spent within the category that has been funded. Once you know the funding for each support category, break that down into smaller sections to see how much money you may be able to use each week, fortnight, or month. It’s important to remember that there may be instances where you may have higher funding costs than other times and to factor that in as well. With your plan broken down into more manageable costs, you can better determine how to use your funding on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis. Tip #2: You are not alone Probably the most important tip is that you are not alone. If you are plan managed with First2Care then you will have access to your own personal Client Manager who can assist you through every step of your budget management. If you need assistance to breakdown you budget into weekly, fortnightly, or monthly spend amounts, your Client Manager can work through this with you. If you would like to speak with one of our Client Managers, you can call 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au. Tip #3: Online tracking Each participant who is plan managed by First2Care can access our Plan Magic online portal to check their budget status. Plan Magic is our online dashboard where First2Care Plan Managed participants can login with their personal login details to view their funding details, invoices, and any other key financial management information. While our First2Care Accounts team process and pay invoices and manage the paperwork for your NDIS plan, you can maintain choice and control over your plan funding through the Plan Magic online portal. In the portal you can see your monthly budget reports which not only give you a total budget review but also break down each budget category showing how much funding has been used, how much is remaining and whether you are underspending, overspending or on the right track with your spending. You can also access in-real-time budgets, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the month for a budget report. Tip #4: Service Agreements are your friend No one likes an invoice payment being larger than expected (well… except the person being paid of course!). To help protect yourself and to ensure that you and any of the service providers that you work with are on the same page – organise and sign a service agreement. With a service agreement you and your service provider can outline the types of services being provided, how long they will be provided for, any expectations or terms and conditions, and how much the services will cost. Tip #5: It’s never too late If you do happen to overspend on your budget, and you are unsure of how to get back on track, speak with your First2Care Client Manager. They can provide you with key tools and strategies to get your spending back on the right track. While it is never too late to make changes to the way you spend and manage your funding, it certainly pays off to have a financial plan organised in advance. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Through the NDIS, participants have the choice and control to choose the right service provider for their needs. And if a participant is Plan Managed, they have even more choice and control with the option to select from registered and unregistered service providers. With so much choice available, having a strong and authentic relationship with your client just as important as the services you are providing. Check out our top tips for building an authentic relationship with your clients. Tip #1: Listen Listening is vital in the success of any relationship. Make sure to listen to your client’s needs and what they are looking for from your services. Be open with them and work together to determine how you can best provide your services, what type of communication works best for them and how you can tailor your services to help them with their goals. Tip #2: Build trust & rapport Having trust and rapport with your client is very important. Your client’s best interests should be the primary focus of the services you provide them. This can help your client to feel more comfortable and confident with you and can help to build a stronger foundation in your relationship. Tip #3: Tailor your services Every client is different and so are their needs, which means that tailoring your services to suit your clients as individuals will benefit both of you. Things like how they prefer to communicate, the service agreement they have with you, how you deliver services, what kinds of services are needed etc. are all areas that can be tailored to suit the needs of your clients. Tip #4: Be reliable & consistent Being reliable and consistent with your support is a key aspect of building a strong and authentic relationship. Really, it’s all about communication. If there is a circumstance where you might be late or need to reschedule then contacting your client in a timely manner to inform them of any changes, is necessary for maintaining reliability in your relationship. If you have to reschedule, then work with them to find a time that suits both of you. Tip #5: Be transparent One of the best ways to ensure transparency is to ensure that you have a service agreement with your client. If you are an NDIS registered provider, then a service agreement is mandatory. Unregistered service providers don’t necessarily need to have a service agreement with their clients, but it is advised. This can help to ensure that you and your client are on the same page when it comes to the services you provide, the price of those services, how many hours that are likely to be required, and any expectations of how the support will be delivered including with circumstances like cancellations. Why are these five tips so important? Each of these tips focuses on building a strong relationship with your clients, one that is based on mutual respect. Through providing exceptional services to your clients, not only can it positively impact your clients lives but you and your business could gain a reputation for being reliable, authentic, and trustworthy. The best way to ensure your business is a success is by providing the excellent service to your clients. If you have a participant who is plan managed with First2Care, you can register your details with our First2Care team for quick and easy payment processing. Read more about First2Care Plan Management here.

Let’s be honest… applying for, then managing and implementing an NDIS plan is far from a ‘stress-free’ experience. Especially if you’re not aware of the support you can access with your plan. That’s where plan management comes in. With plan management, you can be confident knowing that the financial and administrative tasks associated with your plan are being taken care of by a team of professionals. Understanding Plan Management Plan management is one of the ways that your NDIS plan funding can be managed (the other options are self-management, agency (NDIS) management, or a combination). During your initial planning meeting and plan reviews, your LAC or NDIA planner may ask you how you would like your plan to be managed. What you can expect from our team: Assistance in understanding and implementing your funding Management of any paperwork, and the processing and paying of invoices Ensure budgets are on track Provide advice and strategies to manage overspending or underspending on your funding Provide regular budget reports so you can get the best value from your plan Manage financial reporting for your NDIS plan review and auditing Always put you and your needs first If you have any questions about plan management with First2Care you can visit our website or contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au. Five Benefits of Plan Management 1. Reduce stress, save time and live your life One of the biggest benefits of plan management is that your plan manager can claim funds from the NDIS to pay providers on your behalf. Which means you don’t have to. This is particularly beneficial for participants who want more choice and control over who their providers are (registered or unregistered with the NDIS). Your plan manager can make sure that your invoices are paid correctly, that your NDIS funds are on track, and that any paperwork associated with your NDIS funding is in order. 2. More choice and control over your providers Finding the right support provider to suit your needs is important. But what if you find the right provider and they aren’t NDIS registered? Having plan management in your NDIS plan means that you can access both registered and unregistered providers, giving you more choice and control over your support team. Your plan manager can also ensure that your providers are charging within the NDIS price guide limits. 3. Claiming just got a whole lot easier Let’s just say that submitting and processing claims under the NDIS can be a little bit stressful. Doing this requires an understanding of complex codes as well as how to navigate the submission portal. Professional plan managers (like us) manage this on a day-to-day basis and know what paperwork is needed, how to quickly and seamlessly process claims, and the types of inclusions (i.e., what’s covered and what’s not) under the NDIS. Plan managers typically have seven days to process and pay invoices, our team aim to process and pay invoices within two to three business days. 4. Budgets managed by a team of professionals It’s safe to say that most people are not fans of budgeting even though they know it’s incredibly important (especially with NDIS funds) to keep track of spending, invoices, and payments. Luckily, with a plan manager you won’t need to worry about your budget management – they’ll take care of it for you. And if there is any overspending or underspending on your budget, your plan manager can provide strategies to ensure budgets are on track. Each month your plan manager should send you a monthly budget report. Our First2Care Plan Magic online portal also offers budgets in real-time. All you need to do is login with your personal login details and you can view your current budgets. 5. It’s free Plan management comes at no extra cost for participants. If you want to be plan managed, all you need to do is request plan management to be included in your NDIS plan from your LAC or NDIA planner. There is a specific funding category under Capacity Building Supports called ‘Improved Life Choices’ which can be funding for plan management. With the funds for plan management coming from an additional budget category, it does not take away funding from other categories in your plan. New participants can request to have plan management included in their NDIS plan during their planning meeting. If you would like to be plan managed by First2Care you can fill in this form and provide a copy to your LAC or NDIA planner during your planning meeting. Participants managed by another plan manager can transition to First2Care plan management. To do this you’ll need to notify your current plan manager that you wish to end the service agreement, and then contact our team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au. You can also fill in our online service agreement. If you are currently self-managed or agency managed, you can transition to plan management at any time during your planning period. If you would like to make this change before the end of your current NDIS planning period finishes, you will need to speak with your LAC or NDIA planner as this process will require a complete plan review from the NDIA. Alternatively, you can make this request at your next plan review meeting. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

As an NDIS Participant, you have choice and control over who you engage as part of your support team. Having a support worker that can provide for your needs, work well with other members of your support team and most importantly, be someone that you connect with, can be really important in helping you to achieve your goals and ensuring your support needs are met. But what should you expect from a support worker? Role of a Support Worker Your support worker’s role can be tailored to your support needs. They can assist you with things like: Providing in-home support with daily tasks like showering, dressing, eating, taking medication etc. Assistance with household tasks and activities like preparing meals, washing, ironing, cleaning etc. Assistance with therapies like practicing and doing exercises etc. Going out in the community for things like shopping, attending university or TAFE, medical appointments, work, social activities with friends or family etc. Support workers can either be NDIS registered or they may be unregistered, depending on whether the individual support worker or the support worker provider agency has opted to go through the NDIS registration process. If you're a Plan Managed Participant, then you’ll have access to NDIS registered and unregistered support worker providers, giving you more choice and control over who joins your support team. What to expect from your Support Worker Your support worker is there to help you achieve your goals and build your capacity for independence. They should: Be professional Have the appropriate skills and experience to suit your needs Understand your support needs Have excellent communication and listening skills Be patient Help you build your capacity for independence Have the skills and capabilities to assist if things don’t go to plan An up-to-date First Aid Certificate An up-to-date National Police Clearance An Australian Drivers Licence A Working with Children Card (if relevant) Although you may have mentioned exactly what supports you need, when and how you’d like those supports delivered during the interview process, it’s a good idea to reiterate this to a new support worker once they have been hired. That way, you can help to eliminate any potential confusion for yourself and your new support worker. It’s also recommended that you formalise your expectations through a Service Agreement. If you have more than one support worker, you should have a Service Agreement for each individual. Service Agreements Whether you’ve opted for an NDIS registered or unregistered support worker, having a service agreement is an important tool to ensure you and your support worker are on the same page and have clearly defined what you expect from them. The Service Agreement should outline: Your responsibilities and those of the support worker Contact details for the support worker What support will be provided The cost per hour The total cost of the supports for the period you have requested their service How to handle any issues if things aren’t going the way you want The service providers cancellation policy How to end the service agreement and any notice periods required. If you have multiple support workers or service providers, you’re likely to have multiple Service Agreements. Keeping track of your Service Agreements can sometimes be a hassle. If you are Plan Managed by First2Care, you can keep a copy of all your Service Agreements on your Plan Magic online portal by emailing the First2Care support team. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

The NDIA wants you to focus on achieving your goals, and so do we. That’s why at First2Care our goal is you. We provide Plan Management your way by ensuring we are transparent and flexible. We collaborate with you so that you can be confident knowing you can maintain choice and control over your NDIS Plan and your life. 1. Tailored Plan Management (your way) Not every NDIS Participant is the same. Which means they way that Plan Management services are provided can’t be the same. This is why we make it our priority to work together with our Plan Managed Participants to provide Plan Management their way. We ensure that the way we communicate with you, how we manage your NDIS Plan and the types of engagement you receive from our team is tailored to how you want your plan to be managed. As your Plan Manager, we strive to go above and beyond to help you make the most of your NDIS Plan. 2. Say goodbye to stress Feeling overwhelmed by finances, budgets, and NDIS audits? There’s nothing worse than the stress of having to tackle financial and administrative tasks when you’d prefer to be focusing your time on working towards your goals. Our First2Care team have more than 30 years of financial industry experience, and know the NDIS inside and out. As your Plan Manager, we will: Manage your spending and claims Pay your Service Provider invoices Take care of your paperwork and record keeping Help you understand your funding (so you can engage supports with confidence) Answer any questions you have about your NDIS Plan budget You can be confident knowing the financial and administrative tasks of your NDIS Plan are being managed by our expert team. 3. Choice, control and confidence The NDIS was brought in to provide people with disability with the power to have more choice and control over how they live their lives. Under the NDIS there are three options you can choose from to manage your Plan funding. They are: Agency Management (NDIA Managed) Self-Management Plan Management Our Plan Managed Participants have the option to choose from both registered and unregistered Service Providers, whereas Agency Managed Participants can only choose NDIS registered Service Providers. Having confidence and trust in your support and service provider team can help you to achieve your goals. This is why having the option to choose between registered and unregistered providers can help you feel confident knowing that you are engaging the right support worker or service provider to suit your needs. 4. Plan Magic and real-time budgets Looking for access to information, news, budget updates and resources all in easy-to-use platform? We’ve designed the Plan Magic online portal to do all that and more. Using your personal login in details, you will be able to view your profile at any time. With the Plan Magic online portal you can: View your account and NDIS Plan details View your NDIS funding budgets and how your funding is allocated View all past and current uploaded invoices Access news updates and downloadable resources While some Plan Managers provide budget reports only on a monthly basis, with Plan Magic online portal you’ll have access to monthly budget breakdowns as well as real-time budget updates so you can keep track of your funding whenever you like. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Considering Plan Management to help manage your NDIS plan funding? It’s probably fair to say, you have some questions. We’ve pulled together the top questions to ask a Plan Manager and why First2Care could be the right Plan Manager for you. Important questions to ask and what you can expect from First2Care 1. Do you specialise in NDIS Plan Management? First2Care is a dedicated, professional NDIS registered Plan Management provider. Unlike other Plan Management companies who offer combined services, we focus solely on NDIS Plan Management. We want to help you dream big, plan to make it happen, and live the life you want to live. 2. Are you business focused or will you put my needs first? At First2Care, we really do care. Which is why if you choose to engage our team of professional Plan Managers to help you manage your NDIS funding, you can be confident knowing we’ll put your needs first. We offer tailored, meaningful Plan Management services and always take the time to talk with you about your plan, any concerns you may have, or goals you have achieved. 3. Is it simple and straightforward to engage a Plan Manager? The NDIS can sometimes feel a little complicated to navigate, but engaging First2Care as your Plan Manager is simple. All you need to do is speak with your planner during your planning meeting and let them know you would like to be Plan Managed by First2Care. We’ve even created a Referral Form to make the process even easier. Alternatively, you can contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au to request Plan Management directly through us. 4. Do you have an online tool so I can keep track of my NDIS budget? Our Plan Managed participants have access to the latest technology with our First2Care Plan Magic online portal. On the platform, participants can view, edit, and update their profile, input their NDIS goals, load important documents such as service agreements, and submit invoices. All our Plan Managed participants receive a monthly budget statement so they can see how they are track. And on top of that, participants wanting more regular updates can login to the platform and see all the information they need online. Easy! If you currently don't have access to your personal Plan Magic online portal, you can contact 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au to arrange for your personal login details and password to be generated. 5. Are the invoice and payments processes clear, including processing times? Participants who are Plan Managed by First2Care can upload invoices to our NDIS Plan Management platform themselves, email invoices to our accounts team at accounts@first2care.com.au, or request that service providers send invoices directly to us. Once we have them, and have checked that all the information is correct, our accounts team will process your invoice within 48 hours to ensure your service providers are paid in a timely manner. We pay on time, every time. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Whether this is your first NDIS plan review or you’ve been with the NDIS for some time, a statement of outcomes or outcome report can make a big difference to your ongoing funding in your new NDIS plan. How does a Statement of Outcomes help with your Plan review? Your plan review is similar to the planning meeting you would have had when you began your NDIS journey. The key difference between a plan review and a planning meeting is that during your plan review, you and your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) representative will review your current plan, what worked and what didn’t, and what is needed moving forward. Your plan review helps to determine the support and funding you receive throughout your next NDIS plan period. This is where a Statement of Outcomes (also known as NDIS Outcomes Report) comes in. Your Statement of Outcomes is a report provided to you by your current support team. They can provide you with a NDIS Participant Progress Report that shows the goals you’re working towards, your progress, and recommendations for additional support you need to achieve your future goals. Why is this Statement of Outcomes so important? During your Plan Review, your LAC or NDIA representative can request your Statement of Outcomes. This information will be passed on to the NDIA as supporting documentation to help with the development of your next plan. They will compare the statement to your newly identified goals and look for evidence of the following: Progress being made towards your current goals Plans to address new goals Recommendation for additional supports in line with your goals NDIS funding is provided to help support participants to increase their skills and independence. For the NDIA to continue to provide ongoing support, they will look closely at any goals you identified during your initial planning meeting and your planning review. What should be included in the NDIS Outcomes Report? It’s likely that you have more than one service provider on your support team, which means you will probably have multiple Outcome reports - one for each service provider. Each report should include: An overview of supports provided How the support has helped you to achieve or work towards your goals - for example, how your functional ability has changed over the plan period Whether you have been linked to any additional informal, community, or mainstream supports to help you achieve your goals Any barriers encountered during the plan period and the strategies implemented to resolve these Any risks identified to you or others Any evidence or other information that may be relevant for the NDIA to consider when determining reasonable and necessary supports Justification for any recommendations of additional supports, including details of the proposed outcomes and any risks or impacts on other supports (if relevant) How to obtain a Statement of Outcomes? When it comes to obtaining a Statement of Outcomes, you have three main options: Ask your service providers directly Ask your Support Coordinator to help by requesting the Statement of Outcomes on your behalf Create the Statement of Outcomes yourself, with service provider input While it is great to have input from your service providers in your Statement of Outcomes, it does not necessarily have to come from them. You can choose to write the statement yourself, and incorporate their feedback and comments. How do I ask for an Outcomes Report from my Service Provider? When you first engaged your service provider(s), you probably entered into a Service Agreement between yourself and your provider. In this agreement, your service provider should have outlined how much they charge for their services and identified if there will be any costs that associated with creating a NDIS Statement of Outcomes report. Most service providers will know what an Outcomes Report is and what is required of them. When asking for the report to be produced, make sure you identify the cost in advance, either by asking them or referring to your Service Agreement. After the report has been provided, read the information in the report to make sure you agree with what has been written, and that it includes everything needed for a NDIS Statement of Outcomes report. If it doesn’t, then you are within your rights to request that it be amended. The NDIS Statement of Outcomes report can have a significant influence on your NDIS funding, so you need to ensure that you agree with the content and that it covers all the information the NDIA need to make their assessment. Where can I store my Statement of Outcomes? If you are Plan Managed with First2Care, you can securely store your Statement of Outcomes on your First2Care Plan Magic online portal. To do this, you will need to upload a copy of the Statement of Outcomes to your Plan Magic online portal. Alternatively, you can send a copy to your First2Care Plan Manager and they can upload this document to your file. If you currently don't have access to your personal Plan Magic online portal, you can contact 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au to arrange for your personal login details and password to be generated. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Engaging a Plan Manager can help to build your confidence and remove any stress you may have about managing the financial and administrative obligations of your NDIS plan. So, what steps can you take to engage and work successfully with a Plan Manager? NDIS Plan Management Step 1: Engaging a Plan Manager Once you’ve been approved for Plan Management in your NDIS plan, the NDIS will fully fund you. This covers a one-time set-up fee (for every plan) and twelve instalments of a monthly processing fee. Plan Management funding is provided in addition to your other supports, so you won’t pay any additional expenses. You can apply for this funding with each plan review. Just make sure you request to have ‘Improved Life Choices’ included in your NDIS plan. At the end of your planning meeting, you’ll be asked to specify your preferred option for managing your plan. To make things easy, we’ve created a Referral Form for First2Care Plan Management that you can give to your planner. NDIS Plan Management Step 2: Working with Your Plan Manager Your First2Care Plan Manager will available to talk with you over the phone, via email or face-to-face, five days a week (weekends by appointment). If ever there’s a time your Plan Manager is away or sick, our friendly First2Care team members will be happy to help you. Your Plan Manager will work through your plan with you, helping you to understand what the support categories mean and how to maximise your available funding. And if you have any questions – just ask! If you have a preferred means in which you’d like to communicate, we can adapt our approach to meet your disability needs, using a range of communication styles, services and aids. NDIS Plan Management Step 3: Tracking your NDIS budgets and spending Your Plan Manager will oversee your budgets and make sure there are always funds available when you need them. It’s our job to keep you on the right track with your spending. To help with this, we have developed our First2Care Plan Magic online portal to help us deliver financial services in true partnership with you. You can login via a portal at any time to check the status of your budget, update your profile, load documents and input your goals. Our First2Care team will upload all your invoices, service agreements, and payee details in the First2Care Plan Magic online portal ready for you to view and approve. NDIS Plan Management Step 4: Processing invoices and payments Life’s too short to spend it paying bills. Your Plan Manager will pay your providers for you, so you don’t have to. Even with a Plan Manager, you’re still the decision maker. Using the First2Care Plan Magic online portal, you can review and approve all invoices before payment. You can also use the platform to compare invoices with your service provider invoices, to make sure you’re being invoiced correctly. Once we have received your invoice and checked the details are correct, we’ll process it. Processing is currently two business days, and we are well on our way towards achieving our goal of same day processing. Your Plan Manager can reimburse you for any out-of-pocket purchases that are funded in your NDIS plan upon receiving a complying tax invoice receipt. You’ll need to provide a tax receipt of your purchases, and your bank BSB and account number for the money to be paid into. These bank account and provider details go through further validation processes upon initial setup with third party tools to ensure the funds are being directed to the correct entity. You may also need to provide a description of the purchased item if it is not clear on the receipt, or if you need to demonstrate how your purchase relates to your disability. First2Care can help you say goodbye to the stress of financial management, and hello to living life the way you want First2Care is a registered NDIS Plan Management provider with more than 30 years experience in the financial management industry. First2Care is solely focused on Plan Management, meaning we will always put you first. We aim to reduce the financial and administrative stress of managing your NDIS plan, so you can focus your attention where it matters – you. We believe in giving our Plan Managed participants the specialised attention and advice they deserve, to empower them to build their confidence, skills and to achieve their goals. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Having healthy practices in place to support your mental health and mental wellness are important, because YOU are important. Over the past 18 months, there has been a significant shift in our day-to-day life in Australia, which may have affected your mental health and wellness vitality. For some, this may have caused unexpected stress, a shift in your mental health and wellness outlook, and having to adapt to circumstances that are simply out of your control. There are plenty of incredible apps available that promote and encourage positive mental health and wellness practices, motivation, and meditation. Check out some of our favourites below! Always remember that you can speak with your General Practitioner (GP) or mental health specialist about these apps and any others that you may wish to consider. They may be able to provide professional insight into which apps might be better suited to your needs. Headspace Headspace is probably one of the most well-known meditation apps out there. The app is designed to take you through the basics of meditation, has progress pages so that you can track your stats, and reminders to help you with your practice. This app is run as a paid subscription but typically has a free trial time. You can also access some curated Headspace meditation playlists in Spotify, here. ReachOut WorryTime // ReachOut Breathe ReachOut Worry Time (developed by ReachOut Australia) helps you set aside a period where you can focus on the things that are causing you to worry. Essentially, it aims to give you “worry time” where you can focus on everything that has caused you to worry throughout your day. The app works by you recording your worrying thought when you think of it, allowing you to put it out of your mind continue your day and address the worry at a set time. ReachOut Breathe (also developed by ReachOut Australia) is an app that allows you to take a few moments to focus on your breath to help calm down your mind and body when you are feeling anxious or stressed. The app is interactive and uses simple visuals to guide you through some slow, deep breaths, lets you measure your heart rate so you can check you baseline and how you’re going throughout the day. Smiling Mind Smiling Mind guides you through simple meditation exercises to get you started on your mindfulness journey. The app uses illustrations and short meditation sessions to train you to become more aware of your breath and your senses, so you can bring mindfulness into your everyday routine. The Check-in This app (developed by BeyondBlue) is for anyone who wants to check in with a friend but is worried about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse. You go through four steps, getting you to think about where you might check in, what you might say and how might you support your friend. There is also a section that shows you things and situations to consider. Once you’ve had the conversation, you can go back into the app and rate how it went. The app will then give you advice on the next steps. There are also links to where you can get support and tips from young people. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

SDA, SIL, STA, MTA, ILO… these are all housing options that may be available to NDIS participants, depending on whether it is reasonable and necessary, what the support needs are, and other criteria laid out by the NDIS around housing funding and assistance. With all the acronyms, NDIS jargon and strict criteria associated with NDIS housing options, finding a housing option that may suit your needs does require some research. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) are homes designed for those who would struggle to live in a mainstream home due to their disability. SDA homes are equipped with special building features like ramps or sensor-led lights that allow people in wheelchairs and others to move around with ease. SDA is available for NDIS participants with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment, which means this type of accommodation is only approved for a small percentage of all participants (an estimate of 6% by the NDIA). To apply for SDA funding, you should have a housing goal included in your plan which you can discuss with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner during your planning meeting or plan review meeting. If you have a Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator, they can help you to explore housing solutions and to assist you in writing a housing plan outlining why it would be reasonable and necessary for you to have SDA funding. If you are approved for SDA, you will receive an SDA payment under your Capital Supports budget in your NDIS plan. These payments cover the property cost of the home you live in. It’s important to note that SDA only covers property costs, it doesn’t cover assistance you may need to live in the home. You are also expected to pay a rent contribution to your landlord, however the rent you pay is capped. An SDA property is typically shared with other people who also receive SDA funding in their NDIS plans. However, participants can also receive funding to live alone in an SDA home. Supported Independent Living (SIL) Supported Independent Living (SIL) is funding for participants whose disability significantly impacts their ability to live independently. For participants who are heavily reliant on a support person to live everyday life, needing frequent or around-the-clock support, SIL may be a housing option to explore. There are three levels of SIL funding: Lower needs - provides regular supervision of living arrangements. Standard needs - provides 24/7 active assistance for most daily tasks. Higher needs - provides continual and more complex active assistance. All NDIS participants over the age of 18 may be eligible for SIL funding, whether they rent privately, own their own home, live with others, or live in Specialist Disability Accommodation (Yes! You can receive funding for both SDA and SIL). If a participant is younger than 18 years of age, the NDIA generally expects the parents or the child protection system to provide support. To apply for SIL, your current support worker or service provider will need to complete a so-called Provider SIL Pack, which contains a summary of how much personal assistance you need every day/night during a typical week. The NDIA will use this information to determine whether SIL is the best option for you and whether it’s reasonable and necessary to fund it. Individualised Living Options (ILO) Individualised Living Options (ILO) funding can help you to receive tailored personal support in a home of your choosing. The funding is to help you create a structure of formal and informal supports (paid and unpaid) around you to help you live more independently and achieve your goals. The NDIA classifies two phases of ILO funding: ILO Exploration and Design which provides funding per hour for a housing expert or your Support Coordinator to help you better understand what your options are and what type of living arrangement could work best for you ILO Support Model which is a funding package to cover your paid supports in the living arrangement of your choice. If you are eligible for ILO, the actual funding amount you receive will depend on your individual situation and your specific proposal. When it comes to the proposal, you can explore any potential living arrangement you think might work for you – from sharing a flat with a non-disabled friend who could become your part-time carer to living alone with a paid support worker providing daily assistance. The NDIA will assess whether the individual living option you put forward is reasonable and necessary, and good value for money. If the NDIA do approve your proposal, they will determine your funding based on the quote you provided. ILO can be an empowering option for participants by giving you more choice and control over where you live, who you live with and what additional supports you may need. Short-Term Accommodation (STA) Short Term Accommodation (STA) offers a temporary place to live and the necessary support for NDIS participants, whose primary carer needs a break, is sick or may suddenly be unavailable for other reasons. Every NDIS participant can use their Core Support budget to fund STA (also known as respite care) for a period of a few days to a few weeks in a specialist respite centre (shared with other participants) or in an Airbnb rental shared with your support worker. However, if you think you may need funding for STA, it is a good idea to discuss this with your LAC or NDIA planner as STA accommodation is not cheap and you don’t want to use too much of your Core Support budget paying for that when it may be needed for other supports. If you have a crisis or an emergency that requires urgent respite care, you need to request an unscheduled plan review due to a change in circumstances and get STA included in your plan. Any STA and Assistance you may receive will cover the entire stay in a respite centre or camp, including the support you receive there and the food. It is important to note that STA cannot be used to fund a holiday. Medium-Term Accommodation Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) offers a temporary place to live for NDIS participants while they’re waiting to move into a more permanent home. The NDIA offers this type of funding for up to 90 days. It only covers the costs of the accommodation, not the personal supports you may need while living there. To access MTA, you’ll need to show the NDIA that it’s reasonable and necessary through evidence that shows you already have a long-term home confirmed, you cannot live into this long-term home right now and that you have nowhere else to stay because of your disability support needs. Common reasons for MTA: A change in life circumstances A bridging home for younger people who are at risk of being admitted into aged care due to a lack of alternative housing options Participants who have been hospitalised, but can’t yet move into their own home until construction works adding key disability features are completed Participants whose funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation got approved, but who are still waiting for a vacancy in an SDA property If considered reasonable and necessary, you can apply for an extension of your 90-day stay. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

No matter your child’s ability, the ups and downs of daily life and unexpected challenges are all part of being a parent. If you have a child with disability, your child may require extra support to achieve their goals and live as independently as possible. The NDIS can provide the opportunity for children with disability to access the supports they need. Find out how the NDIS can help and how to apply below. How can NDIS funding help to support your child? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) helps to support Australians with disability between the ages of 7 and 65 years. If your child has a temporary or permanent disability that can affect their day-to-day life, they may be eligible for NDIS funding. If your child is approved for NDIS funding, they may receive funding in the NDIS Core Supports, Capital Supports and/or Capacity Building Support categories. Each of these categories can help to provide supports for your child to fulfil their goals and live more independently. Core Supports help with everyday activities as well as helping to access and participate within the community. They are the main support category and funding is flexible. This means funding can be used across any of the support items and services in the Core budget. Core supports have four categories: Assistance with Daily Life, Consumables, Assistance with Social and Community Participation, and Transport. Capital Supports include funding for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications, including the assessment, delivery, set-up, adjustments, and maintenance costs. This category is not flexible, and funding provided must be used for its intended purpose. Capacity Building Supports are designed to help build skills and independence in daily life. There are nine Capacity Building Support Categories: Support Coordination, Improved Living Arrangements, Increased Social and Community Participation, Finding and Keeping a Job, Improved Relationships, Improved Health and Wellbeing, Improved Learning, Improved Choices and Improved Daily Living. This category is not flexible, and funding provided must be used for its intended purpose. The categories your child may be funded for will be determined by their needs. Which means, your child may receive funding in all three categories (if needed), or they may receive funding for some of the categories. NDIS vs ECEI ECEI is for children aged from 0-6 years, whereas the NDIS is for people aged from 7-65 years. The ECEI approach is designed to assist children who have developmental delays or disabilities at the early in life. This support may only be needed temporarily, or it may be needed in an ongoing capacity. Children don’t need a diagnosis certificate from a doctor or specialist to access ECEI supports and services, however if a child is 7 years and older, they will need an official diagnosis to access NDIS support. How to apply for the NDIS To determine if your child is eligible for the NDIS, you can check the eligibility access requirements on the NDIS website. Once you have confirmed eligibility, you’ll need to apply for the NDIS. This can be done by, either: Calling 1800 800 110 and asking to make an access request Completing and submitting by email an Access Request Form to NAT@ndis.gov.au Contacting your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA office to make an Access Request If your child was previously supported under Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI), you can talk with your Early Childhood Planner about transitioning your child onto the NDIS. They can help you to develop a plan specific to your child’s needs and assist you in submitting your NDIS application to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). What to bring to your child’s Planning Meeting When preparing for your child’s Planning Meeting, you should: Bring any supporting documents A friend or someone trusted for moral support (if needed) Take notes during the meeting Discuss your child’s goals and needs Discuss how you would like your child’s plan to be managed (i.e., by a Plan Manager like First2Care) Discuss Support Coordination Ask questions if you have any or need further clarification Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.

Whether you’re a registered or an unregistered provider, understanding ABN requirements, how the NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits work and what information to include in invoices is important in ensuring your business (as an individual or part of an organisation) runs smoothly. ABN Requirements An Australian Business Number (ABN) is required for both registered and unregistered NDIS service providers. Whether you work as an individual or as part of a larger company, an ABN is needed for payments and reimbursements to be made regarding the services provided. Having an ABN is also important in providing key data for the NDIA to better understand where funding is being used and how the scheme can be more effective. There are some cases where a service provider may be exempt from having an ABN. Some examples are: Overseas suppliers (not carrying on a business in Australia) Individual under 18 years who are assisting with disability related supports and payment does not exceed $350 per week Suppliers providing disability-related products or services that do not exceed $75 (i.e., apps, books, daily living aids Individuals providing a service to further their own hobby or recreational pursuit such as teaching musical instrument lessons, painting, or conducting repairs. If a provider is exempt, they will need to complete a Statement by a Supplier form. How to use the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (formally known as the Price Guide) lays out the latest rates for a variety of services and price limits to ensure participants are being charged fairly and with value for money. NDIS registered and unregistered providers must use the NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits when charging Agency and Plan Managed participants. With 2500+ priced items in the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, it’s important to take time to review it and ensure you are charging the right price. To do this, look for the service group/category that applies to you and then identify the service or support you provide. This will lead you to the appropriate hourly rate. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits is updated annually and release each June with revised prices that take effect in July. The updates or changes to the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits reflect any changes in costs and market trends, which assists in ensuring that participants are funded enough to access the supports and services they need in line with the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. To view the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, click here. Service Agreements A service agreement is a document that outlines the services you intend to deliver, what is expected of you as a provider, and what is expected of the NDIS participant engaging your services. While NDIS registered providers already use service agreements, unregistered providers are not mandated to. However, it is strongly recommended by the NDIA that they have a service agreement in place. Things to consider when creating a service agreement are: Outline the general nature of the services to be provided Include a list of defined terms as an explanation any industry specific jargon you may use Type of support you provide, the Support Category number and, a description of the support The cost of each support line item What the NDIS participant’s responsibilities and what your responsibilities are Your NDIS number The start and end date for this service agreement Your ABN number and GST registration status The best contact details for both parties Describe how a change to this service agreement can occur (e.g., must be in writing, mutually agreed by both parties and be signed off and annexed to the current agreement) Describe how the service agreement can be cancelled and what notice period may be required from either party) Describe the conflict resolution processes Advise to whom this service agreement can be shared with As always, it’s important to ensure that NDIS participants who are engaging your services understand what they are agreeing to in the service agreement. Adjustments to the language or way of communicating the content of the service agreement so that it is fully understood may be needed and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Seven Invoicing Tips to Know Ensure that the amount you are charging for the support or service you have provided accurately reflects the hourly rates within the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits . If the price you are charging exceeds the NDIS’ rates, it may only be partially funded. Always ensure that the quantity is included on each line item and that it is correct. Quite often we see a quantity defaulted to “1” which can cause the invoice to be short funded. Make sure each line item on your invoice has a service date, even if it only has one line item. This way, there is never any confusion over which rate to use and you are less likely to be short funded. Ensure days falling on a weekend or public holiday where a different rate applies are entered as separate line items. If you do not include an NDIS code, make your description of the service as accurate as possible. Check that the weekday, weekend, and evening rates are clearly outlined to prevent any payment processing delays. If you know which NDIS code your service aligns with, include this in your invoice. If you are unsure of which code to choose, you can contact our Support Team on 1300 322 273 or email support@first2care.com.au. Alternatively, you can see a full list of codes and descriptions of these line items in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. Invoices must have specific details for the provider and the participant, as well as other important information contained in each invoice to adhere to the NDIS invoicing process. For a full breakdown of what details should be included in each invoice, check out our blog For Providers: Invoicing Guide for Faster Payments. Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.