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What is a Conflict of Interest?  A conflict of interest can occur when an individual or organisation has competing interests or loyalties that could influence their decisions or actions that mean that do not necessarily act in the best interest of the participant. This can occur at all levels of the NDIS and can affect participants in different ways.     Examples of a Conflict of Interest.  Most conflicts of interest arise from who is providing services to a participant. The NDIA generally considers it a conflict of interest when any of the following people provide services to a participant on the NDIS:  Plan Managers  Support Coordinators  Family Members  As a plan manager has unique and details insights into a participant’s NDIS budget, it is considered a conflict of interest if they are also providing other services. This is because they have detailed access to funding levels and can exert influence to guide a participant to utilise their own services, rather than recommending the best possible options available.  Similarly, a support coordinator who also offers support work and other services may also favour their own services, regardless of whether they are the most suitable for the participant’s needs.  While family members can offer unique insights and dedicated care to a participant, they may also prioritise their interests over the participant’s needs. This can lead to decisions that are not objective. Family members are also frequently considered to provide informal supports, which are not appropriate for NDIS funding.    Why is Conflict of Interest a Concern?  The NDIA considers the issue of conflict of interest to be a concern that needs to be addressed and reduced across the system. When decisions are influenced by personal or organisational gain, the quality of care can reduce. Participants might not receive the most effective or appropriate services, which can hinder their progress and wellbeing.   Conflict of interest can also reduce trust between a participant and the NDIS. If participants are aware that some of their providers are acting on the business’s interests, and not their own, then they may be sceptical of advice and supports delivered, which increases a reluctance to engage with the NDIS.  Service providers acting in their own interests may also recommend unnecessary services to boost their own profits. This may deplete or exhaust a participant’s funding early or reduce the capability to engage with meaningful and needed supports.  Conflict of interest may also result in legal repercussions. If a service provider is found to be exploiting their position for personal gain, it can result in legal action.    How to Address Conflict of Interest Concerns?  There are clear policies and guidelines in place to identify and manage any potential conflict of interest. These include mandatory disclosure of any potential conflicts and strict penalties for non-compliance.  A separation of roles also helps to ensure that conflict of interest situations do not arise. By keeping plan management, support coordination, and service providers separate, it limits the capacity for these situations to develop as there is less chance of financial gain to be made from offering unneeded services.  Most importantly, the needs of the participant should always be placed above and beyond any need or requirement of a service provider, support coordinator, or plan manager.

As registered NDIS Plan Managers, one of our responsibilities is meeting compliance obligations. What it really means is that we must follow the NDIS rules carefully when we process your funding. Sometimes this can be confused with “approving” your supports, but that part isn’t actually up to us. We don’t decide what supports you can or can’t have. So, who does? Who approves your support requests? The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the only organisation who can approve what supports go into your NDIS plan. They assess your support requests and decide if they meet the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. If the supports meet that standard, they are included in your plan. Once your plan is approved, that’s when your Plan Manager’s role begins. We don’t approve what’s in your plan, but we do check and process provider invoices. This means making sure the invoices match your plan and NDIS rules before payments are made. Think of it this way: the NDIA approves the supports that goes into your plan. And then your Plan Manager checks and pays invoices for the supports already in your plan. What your Plan Manager does for you At First2Care, we go beyond just paying invoices. We also: Helps protect your funding by ensuring money it’s spent only on supports approved in your plan. Track your budget in real time to help you avoid overspending or underspending. Check that invoices follow NDIS rules and price limits. Follow up proactively with friendly check-ins if we spot risks or opportunities in your plan. Respond quickly when adjustments are needed. Keep accurate financial records in case of an audit. Communicate clearly in plain English, without jargon. To Summarise Your NDIS plan is approved and set by the NDIA, but your Plan Manager is here to make sure that your funding is used properly, safely, and in line with the rules. This helps you make the most of your plan and gives you more choice and control, without the stress of handling the paperwork yourself.

What is a Conflict of Interest?   A conflict of interest can occur when an individual or organisation has competing interests or loyalties that could influence their decisions or actions that mean they do not necessarily act in the best interest of the participant. This can occur at all levels of the NDIS and can affect participants in different ways.       Examples of a Conflict of Interest.  Most conflicts of interest arise from those who are providing services to NDIS participants. The NDIA generally considers it a conflict of interest when any of the following people provide services to a participant on the NDIS:  Plan Managers  Support Coordinators  Family Members  Plan managers have a unique and detailed insight into your NDIS budget, it is considered a conflict of interest if they are also providing other services. This is because they have detailed access to funding levels and can exert influence to guide a participant to utilise their own services, rather than recommending the best possible options available.  Similarly, a support coordinator who also offers support work and other services may also favour their own services, regardless of whether they are the most suitable for your needs.  While your family members can offer unique insights and dedicated care, they may also prioritise their interests over your needs. This can lead to decisions that are not objective. Family members are also frequently considered to provide informal supports, which are not appropriate for NDIS funding.    Why is Conflict of Interest a Concern?  The NDIA considers the issue of conflict of interest to be a concern that needs to be addressed and reduced across the system. When decisions are influenced by personal or organisational gain, the quality of care can reduce. Participants might not receive the most effective or appropriate services, which can hinder their progress and wellbeing.   Conflict of interest can also reduce trust between a participant and the NDIS. If you were made aware that some of their providers are acting on the business’s interests, and not their own, then this may lead to distrust and scepticism around the NDIS as a whole, which we wish to reduce where possible.  Service providers acting in their own interests may also recommend unnecessary services to boost their own profits. This may deplete or exhaust your funding early or reduce the capability to engage with meaningful and needed supports.  Conflict of interest may also result in legal repercussions. If a service provider is found to be exploiting their position for personal gain, it can result in legal action.    How to Address Conflict of Interest Concerns?  There are clear policies and guidelines in place to identify and manage any potential conflict of interest. These include mandatory disclosure of any potential conflicts and strict penalties for non-compliance.  A separation of roles also helps to ensure that conflict of interest situations do not arise. By keeping plan management, support coordination, and service providers separate, it limits the capacity for these situations to develop as there is less chance of financial gain to be made from offering unneeded services.  Most importantly, your needs should always be placed above and beyond any need or requirement of a service provider, support coordinator, or plan manager.

Living in regional or rural areas can sometimes make it harder for NDIS participants to access the supports they need. For many NDIS participants in Far North Queensland, this has included fewer local services and challenges with plan management, such as slower response times, limited face-to-face contact, and lack of local knowledge.  That’s now changing. NDIS Participants in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay can access greater local, face-to-face plan management support through First2Care, making it easier to use and get the most out of their NDIS plans.  Why Connecting Locally Can be Better   When plan managers are based outside the region, it can take longer to get help, and advice may not always reflect the local community. Having someone nearby means participants get better access to more personalised support from people who understand local services. Early feedback shows participants are benefiting from:  Issues being resolved faster  Using their plans more effectively  Feeling more confident navigating the NDIS  “ Having a local help with their plan management needs has made a huge difference to a lot of participants, ” says Steve Krockenberger, Client Engagement Lead (FNQ) at First2Care. “ The feedback has been really positive, and for us it means we can meet face-to-face and invest in the participant’s unique needs and resolve issues quickly. They know the face on the other end of the phone if they ever need anything .”  Growth in Local Support  Since introducing face-to-face support in Far North Queensland just a few months ago, First2Care has already seen a 10% increase in participants using plan management services in the region.  With just over 30,000 people supported by the NDIS in the Far North, having accessible, local plan managers gives participants the option of more personalised and responsive support.  What This Means For Participants  For participants in FNQ, greater choice with face-to-face plan management options brings:  Friendly, local support that understands local needs and services  Easier access to help when it’s needed  A stronger partnership in managing NDIS funding effectively  At First2Care, we believe every participant should feel supported and confident in using their plan, no matter where they live. By having local plan managers in Far North Queensland, participants now have the same level of access to support as those in larger cities.  If you’re an NDIS participant in Cairns, Townsville or Mackay and would like to explore local plan management support, contact Steve directly on 0484 261 884 or feel free to reach out to our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au .

A few months ago, we shared an update through a  blog post  about the pending review into NDIS funding for art and music therapy. That review is now complete. Dr Stephen Duckett’s independent report has been released, and the NDIA has accepted all of the recommendations in full.  For providers who provide supports to the 13,400 participants using art or music therapy, the findings bring both opportunities and challenges. Here’s what you need to know.  What the review found  The report confirmed that art and music therapy, when provided by qualified therapists, can be effective and beneficial for some people with disability. While research in this area is still limited, there is growing evidence that these therapies can support participants to achieve their goals. They noted that limited evidence is not the same as no evidence.  It’s also important to understand the difference between therapy and activities:  Art and music therapy : provided by a qualified therapist using evidence-based practices to help participants work towards their goals.  Art and music activities : for leisure, recreation, or social interaction, even if facilitated by a therapist, that are not goal-directed or evidence-based.  This distinction is critical for providers. Only art and music therapy can be invoiced under therapy supports. Activities for recreation or social engagement fall under other funding categories, such as community and social participation.  What’s changing with pricing  One of the biggest issues has been the price limit for these supports. Late last year, the NDIA announced a reduction to $67.56 per hour, which caused significant concern among providers. That decision was put on hold until the review was finished.  Now, the recommendation is to set the rate at $156.16 per hour . This matches the counselling rate. It’s lower than the previous $193.99 rate but much higher than the original $67.56 proposal.  While the lower price limit may affect revenue for providers, the positive outcome is that art and music therapy is confirmed as a therapy support, not just a community or social activity.  What this means for providers  For providers, there are several important changes and considerations to be aware of:  Eligibility and invoicing : Only qualified therapists will be able to claim under art and music therapy line items. The NDIA plans to strengthen verification processes to ensure compliance.  Qualifications : To be recognised as a NDIS provider, art therapists must be members of ANZACATA, and music therapists must be members of AMTA. Both require a masters degree.  Outcome reporting : The NDIA will be collecting more data from providers about therapy effectiveness. This may mean additional reporting requirements to demonstrate participant outcomes.  Market impacts : Lower price limits may influence provider sustainability, especially for sole practitioners. The NDIA has committed to monitoring supply and demand to ensure the workforce remains viable.  Future guidance : The Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) will be tasked with identifying which participant cohorts benefit most from art and music therapy. This will shape how providers market and deliver services.  Looking ahead  While the reduced rate may feel like a setback for some providers, the recognition of art and music therapy as a legitimate therapy under the NDIS is a positive outcome. This provides certainty and allows providers to continue supporting participants in achieving their goals.  It will be important for providers to stay across updates on eligibility, reporting, and compliance requirements as the NDIA puts these changes into practice.  For more information, you can read the NDIA’s full update on Independent review into art and music supports .

As registered NDIS Plan Managers, one of our responsibilities is meeting compliance obligations. What it really means is that we must follow the NDIS rules carefully when we process participant funding. A common area of confusion we see between providers and participants is around the question of who actually approves supports. It’s important to note: Plan Managers do not approve supports. We don’t decide what supports participants can or can’t have. So, who does? Who approves supports?  The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the only organisation who can approve what supports go into a participant’s NDIS plan. They assess support requests and decide if they meet the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. If it meets the standard, those supports are included in the participant’s plan. Once a plan is approved, the Plan Manager’s role is to check and process provider invoices. We ensure the invoices align with the participant’s plan, price limits, and NDIS rules before releasing payments. Think of it this way: the NDIA approves the supports that goes into the participant’s plan. And then a Plan Manager ensures invoices for those supports that are already in the plan meet compliance requirements before paying them. What this means for Providers  For providers working with plan-managed participants, it’s beneficial to understand: Submitting an invoice for a support that isn’t approved by the NDIA to be included in a participant’s plan will result in the invoice being rejected. Plan Managers are required to protect participant funding and comply with NDIA rules. We cannot pay invoices that fall outside of these. Clear, accurate invoicing helps avoid delays in payment and ensures smooth management of participant budgets. .  To Summarise  The participants’ NDIS plan is approved and set by the NDIA, but Plan Managers ensure that participant funding is used properly, safely, and in line with the rules.

Stated supports have dominated the spotlight of NDIS “grey areas” for several months, and many participants and their support networks will have encountered varying guidance on how stated supports influence what can be claimed. This has not been helped by a lack of clarity from the NDIA, who have published and retracted their guidance on multiple occasions. Stated Supports A stated support is a particular element of funding that is intended for a specific purpose. Section 32G of the NDIS Act describes how a support or class of supports can be explicitly identified as stated within a plan. This is echoed by the Operational Guidelines for using a plan, which notes: “When your NDIS supports are stated , we describe the support specifically. It means you must buy NDIS supports in the way we have described in your plan. We’ll be clear when we describe a support category as stated in your plan.” (page 9) What is clear between the two is the specific reference to the Plan - everything comes down to how the Plan is written. The challenge? More legislation! Section 46 of the Act requires that participants and Plan Managers must spend NDIS money “in accordance with the plan”. Therefore, if the Plan says that a support or class of supports is “stated”, it must be used it the manner that is described in the Plan. There are some well-known examples such as Home Modifications, Capital AT, and Home and Living (primarily SIL and MTA), though this causes the most challenges in Capacity Building, particularly the Improved Daily Living (IDL) budget which under PACE is always a stated category. Practical Examples in IDL Example 1 With the detail out of the way, here are some examples of how this can play out. Let’s say a participant’s plan includes IDL. The description says: “Funding is included for a speech pathologist, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist…” In this case, the budget can be used only on those three supports. To do otherwise would not be in accordance with the plan. To examine this more closely, let’s think about it from the NDIA’s perspective. If a participant submits evidence to receive certain supports related to their disability, obtains funding in the Plan, and then spends the funds on therapies that don’t relate to this funding, it doesn’t line up with the Planning process. Example 2 Another type of Plan description we see might be: “Funding is included for allied health professionals to help build your skills. You can use your therapy budget flexibly for a combination of allied health therapy, including a Therapy Assistant to put therapy strategies into practice.” This Plan can be used on any allied health professional support within IDL, but only therapy. It can’t be used for non-therapy supports from that budget. Myth A support must be stated in Improved Daily Living to be funded. Actual The entire category/component is stated (in PACE). This means that whatever is written must be followed, so as shown in example #2 this can include types of supports that are not specifically mentioned if the wording of the plan permits it. What you can do? Be clear in planning meetings or discussions with the NDIA that you understand the limitations of stated supports, and that you want flexibility inside the stated category wherever possible. Discuss how your plan is funded with your myNDIS Contact . This is often a Local Area Coordinator or sometimes an NDIS Planner. Sometimes if the plan is vague or unclear, they can assist in providing clarity to the intent behind what is funded. If a Plan has been created incorrectly, a Variation can correct it without the need for a full reassessment. The final word Plan Managers and participants now share the same legal responsibility to spend funds in accordance with the Plan.

A few months ago, we shared an update through a  blog post  about the pending review into NDIS funding for art and music therapy. That review is now complete. Dr Stephen Duckett’s independent report has been released, and the NDIA has accepted all the recommendations in full.  For the 13,400 participants who currently use art or music therapy, the findings bring both positives and challenges. Here’s what you need to know.  What the review found  The report confirmed that art and music therapy, when provided by qualified therapists, can be effective and beneficial for some people with disability. While research in this area is still limited, there is growing evidence that these therapies can support participants to achieve their goals. They noted that limited evidence is not the same as no evidence.  It’s also important to understand the difference between therapy and activities:  Art and music therapy : provided by a qualified therapist using evidence-based practices to help you work towards your NDIS goals.  Art and music activities : for leisure, recreation, or social interaction, even if facilitated by a therapist, that are not goal-directed or evidence-based.  This difference matters because only therapy, not activities, can be funded under therapy support in your plan. Activities and other supports that a participant may need to participate in art or music activities can still be funded, but they fall under different funding categories.  What’s changing with pricing  One of the biggest issues has been the price limit for these supports. Late last year, the NDIA announced a reduction to $67.56 per hour, which caused significant concern among participants and providers. That decision was put on hold until the review was finished.  Now, the recommendation is to set the rate at $156.16 per hour . This matches the counselling rate. It’s lower than the previous $193.99 rate but much higher than the original $67.56 proposal. Most importantly, art and music therapy will continue to be funded as a therapy support, not just a community or social activity.  What this means for participants  If you’re currently accessing art or music therapy, the main takeaway is that these supports are still recognised and funded under the NDIS. However, the new price limit may affect how far your funding stretches in your plan.  The NDIA has also committed to:  Ensuring that the therapists you see are properly qualified and meet NDIS requirements.  Gathering more evidence on how effective art and music therapy are for participants, so future decisions reflect real outcomes.  Giving participants clearer guidance about which therapies may be most helpful for different needs, so you can better plan how to use your funding.  Looking ahead  While the price cut may feel like a setback, the recognition of art and music therapy as a legitimate therapy under the NDIS is a positive outcome. This means you can continue to access these supports with qualified therapists to help you reach your goals.  We’ll keep sharing updates as more information becomes available and as the NDIA puts these changes into action.  For more information, you can read the NDIA’s full update on Independent review into art and music supports .

The supports you first budgeted for in your NDIS plan sometimes aren’t the ones you need most later on. Your situation might change, you may need more hours in one type of support and fewer in another, start a new job, or recover from illness.  The good news is, depending on your plan and how it’s managed, you may have some flexibility to switch funds between certain budget categories. What is funds switching?  Fund switching, also called budget flexibility, is when you reallocate funding within your NDIS plan to better meet your current needs. This isn’t possible across all budgets, but in some cases it can give you more choice and control over how you use your funding.  Which ones are flexible?  The NDIS has three main budget categories, and each has different flexibility rules:  Core Supports  are the most flexible. It covers support like daily activities, transport, consumables, and social participation. You can usually move funds between Core categories, unless they’re for a “stated item” or pre-paid service.  Capacity Building Supports  are less flexible. These funds are generally fixed for the purpose they were allocated, such as therapies, training, employment support, and more. You can choose how to spend funds within each area, but you generally cannot move them to another category.  Capital Supports  are not flexible. These funds are approved for specific items or quotes, such as assistive technology or home modifications, and must only be used as outlined in your plan.  Why is this important?  Your needs and goals may change over time, so the way you use your plan might also need to change. Being able to switch funds where the rules allow can help you:  Adjust to changes in your circumstances.  Reduce stress by making your plan work better for you.  Stay focused on your goals while using your budget effectively.  How to switch funds in your NDIS plan  If you’re considering fund switching, here are the steps to take:  Check your plan.  Review your NDIS plan or portal to see which of your supports are flexible and which are fixed.  Speak to your plan manager.  They can explain what’s possible and make sure the changes are within NDIS rules.  Request a plan variation if needed.  If you need to move funds outside the standard flexibility rules, you can apply for a variation without going through a full reassessment.  Final thoughts  Fund switching can give you control and let your NDIS plan adapt with you as your needs change. But knowing the limits matters. If you’re unsure about your options, speak with us, your plan manager.  For more detailed information, you can refer to Support budgets in your plan .

As a NDIS provider offering house and yard maintenance services, it's important to know what types of services you can offer to participants. There are specific requirements in place, and services must be considered reasonable and necessary for a participant's ability to function independently and safely at home. In this article, we'll explore what services are and are not covered under the NDIS, how providers can charge for their services, and answer commonly asked questions regarding end of lease cleaning, decluttering, and project size restrictions. Group of happy people smiling while doing gardening What Services the NDIS Can Fund For the NDIS to provide participants with funding for house and yard maintenance, it needs to be considered reasonable and necessary by directly relating to the participant’s ability to function independently and safely at home. Typically, this can include tasks such as: Cleaning (Vacuuming, Dusting, Mopping, Dishes, Laundry) Yard Maintenance (Weeding, Mowing lawns, Gardening) Repairs for safety and accessibility reasons What Services the NDIS Can’t Fund Recent updates to the NDIS Act made it clear that general property upkeep, tenancy responsibilities, or tasks that are purely cosmetic are not covered in the NDIS plan. These include: Air conditioning servicing Carpet or upholstery cleaning Pest control Landscaping, tree trimming, or stump removal Home security and fencing General repairs or renovations Plumbing, electrical or other trade services These jobs are considered non-essential and typically require professional expertise or specialised equipment. It falls outside what is reasonable and necessary disability support. Ultimately, the NDIS will consider a participant’s specific needs, circumstances, and goals to determine what services and supports can be provided under house and yard maintenance. Now you know what services you can offer… how do you charge for them? Whether a provider is registered or non-registered, they still need to adhere to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which outlines the maximum amount a provider can charge for their services. However, the actual price charged is something that should be discussed between providers and participants. Providers offering house and yard maintenance services for NDIS participants typically charge based on the type and duration of the services provided. The costs can vary depending on the location, equipment, and labour required to complete the tasks. Commonly asked questions Can participants access end of lease cleaning services? Previously, NDIS participants can hire end of lease cleaning services if it is within the hourly price limit set by the NDIS. However, with the latest updates in the NDIS Act, it is now formally recognised as not an NDIS support. Participants may choose to engage these services privately, but they cannot be claimed under their plan. As this is not considered an essential or standard service, it’s important to be transparent with participants about the availability and cost of bond cleaning services. Can participants request decluttering services? Typically decluttering goes beyond a standard cleaning service and isn’t covered under NDIS funding. However, if a provider has therapeutic qualifications, and decluttering is part of therapy, then a Capacity Building support item may be suitable to claim. But, with no therapeutic qualifications, it will not be claimable under NDIS funding. Are there restrictions on the size of projects undertaken? Yes. Larger projects such as tree removal, landscaping, or pest control are not considered reasonable and necessary as they are unlikely to be specifically related to a disability. You may have heard the term “excessive” cleaning used in the sector. It isn’t a separate line item, but simply a industry shorthand for tasks that look more like a specialist trade service than everyday cleaning or yard care. These tasks usually won’t be funded. Two common signs that a task may be excessive or not standard are: If it is well outside the capped NDIS rate for cleaning or yard maintenance If quoted as a flat fee instead of an hourly rate Key Takeaway Providers play an important role in supporting participants to maintain a safe and functional home. Focus on services that are reasonable and necessary, be clear about what’s not covered, and ensure pricing aligns with NDIS requirements. By doing so, you’ll help participants get the right support while staying compliant. Contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au if you have any follow up questions.

At First2Care, we aim to submit all invoices to the NDIA within one to two business days of receiving them. Given the NDIA then processes and releases funding within three business days of this receipt, our goal is to have invoices paid within five business days of you sending them to us.   However, we do sometimes require a little assistance in this by your invoices being presented in a clear and concise manner. When submitting your invoices, we have several tips and tricks for being able to ensure that they are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible.  We prefer that invoices are sent in a PDF format . This allows our system to automatically pick up much of the required details, skipping most of the manual data entry phase and speeding up the process.  In addition to the format, the details that are presented on the invoice can make for a much quicker process.  Provider Information  Firstly, it is important to note who the invoice is for and who is being paid. To achieve this, the following information should be included on every invoice: Client Name and NDIS Number, Business Name, ABN, and Bank Details. Please note – to ensure that our automated system does not pick up the wrong details, do not include First2Care’s ABN anywhere on your invoice.   Secondly, you should include the information unique to this invoice. This should be the Invoice Issue Date and the Invoice Number. Ideally, the combination of participant, provider, and invoice number are unique. Unless the invoice is an amendment, every invoice number for any given participant should be different.  Supports  Next comes the information about the supports provided. While all aspects of the invoice are important, the support description being incorrect or unclear is the cause of many payment delays. Therefore, by ensuring this is correct the first time around, payment processes should run smoother and faster.  The Description of Service and the Support Item Code allow us to most accurately identify the support provided and which budget the invoice should be processed under. The description does not need to be detailed. It only needs to provide enough information to identify the supports, if a line code is not included. The line code should match the description and can be taken directly from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document.  Support Hours  The quantity of hours worked is a crucial piece of information for the majority of supports. In almost all circumstances, this should be provided as a quantity of 1 per hour of support given per worker. The hours of supports should be broken down further as a per day total, which each day presented as a new line.  Finally, there should be the unit price (most commonly the hourly charge) and the line totals. These line totals should then all be added together to produce the invoice total.  You can check out an example invoice here . Tips and Common Mistakes  It is always best to double and/or triple check your invoices before submitting them. However, some areas may need more attention than others. Common areas where we have seen mistakes include:  Invoice numbers aren’t unique – make sure you are correctly moving onto the next invoice number after submitting your most recent one. Repeated invoice numbers may result in invoices being deleted as a duplicate  Participant name spelled wrong/NDIS number incorrect – we may not immediately recognise this invoice as belonging to one of our participants  Incorrect item code – make sure the code reflects the support given. Errors may come from using a weekend code on a weekday, for example  No hour quantity provided/incorrect – if we don’t know how many hours of support were provided, we can’t be sure it fits under the NDIS capped price limits. This will likely only be funded for a quantity of 1 hour of supports  Incorrect date – if an invoice is future dated, we can’t process it. Likewise, if you have incorrectly put the date down as a weekday and claimed for a weekend support line code  Date ranges – listing a range (e.g. 1 - 31 July) makes it look like supports were delivered every day, which may not be accurate. It can also cause confusion about whether claims have already been made within that period. Invoices should list the actual service dates, while funding periods can be referenced separately if needed  Charged over the maximum price limits – the majority of NDIS supports have a capped limit that we are unable to fund over. Please ensure you are keeping within these capped limits  Incorrect line totals and subtotal – please double check your calculations to ensure the provided line totals and subtotals all match the quoted hourly charge and quantity of hours worked  Rounding issues – the NDIA only calculates claims to a whole cent value. If your hourly charge or quantity of hours results in claims of partial cents, this can cause small discrepancies in the total paid  Having the correct details on your invoices initially, will result in fast and easy payment within our target of five business days. Any errors can cause delays as we will need to reach out to clients, representatives, or to yourselves to clarify and confirm the invoice details.  If you follow these guidelines, we’re happy because there is less data entry and investigation work needed. You’re happy because you get paid in a regular and consistent manner. The NDIS is happy because the invoices are all compliant with their requirements. And, most importantly, our clients are happy because they have peace of mind that their providers are getting paid.

The federal government just newly announced the ‘Thriving Kids’ program that will run outside of the Early Childhood Intervention program. This new program will be available for children who have undiagnosed disability and may not require the NDIS long term. Children who are diagnosed will still be eligible for the NDIS should they require it. But given the announcement was made with a start date of July 2026, we can only wait for more updates from both the Federal Government and the NDIA.   Young child pointing   It's a huge responsibility, caring for a child. Whether it's the first one or a new sibling. Whether it's by birth or by another avenue. A child is fun; a child is frustrating. It's great and scary and everything in between.  When a child has disability, it can amplify everything. Whether it is intellectual/learning, neurological, physical, sensory, psychosocial, speech or other disability. This is where early intervention comes in.  Early intervention may only be needed for a short time. It doesn't always continue into an NDIS plan.  It is generally for a child who requires specialist services for longer than 12 months.  Specialist services are provided by allied health professionals conducting developmental/functional assessments to determine needs and recommend the right supports. It aims to help the child develop essential skills and participate more fully in everyday life. A child health nurse, early childhood educators and teachers will also need to be a part of the request for early intervention. Parent or Carer reports will also need to be submitted.  For support in early intervention to meet the requirements, they have to be NDIS approved supports -.  Check out what the NDIA believes to be Reasonable and Necessary here Neither early intervention nor the NDIS were ever designed to be a 'one size fits all'. The funding is allocated with the participant’s needs and goals in mind.  So even if you do know five others with early intervention funding, chances are slim that they will receive the same as your child, because the needs and goals will never be the exact same. Every child’s journey is unique. It is important to remember this.  And you’ve probably heard it before: 'It takes a village to raise a child.' In NDIS terms, some of these will be informal supports. It is the help provided by family, friends, neighbours and the community, who are not paid but play an important role in the child’s wellbeing.  Definitely, it is important to speak out and advocate for your little treasure. But most of all, don't forget yourself. Don't say you're fine when you're having trouble. It's hard to ask for help, but it's much harder to get help if you don't ask.