How To Become A Registered NDIS Business
Firstly, what is a registered NDIS business? Essentially, it’s a provider of care services that has officially been approved by the NDIA and registered with the NDIS. This means that it legally has to meet certain standards, ensuring the business provides the highest quality services and experiences for all clients. It also means that people within the business must meet certain qualification requirements.
Now, you can technically provide care services for disabled individuals without being a registered NDIS business. However, you’re greatly limiting your potential. You won’t have access to financing assistance on the scheme and may struggle to find clients. Consequently, it’s wise to ensure your business is registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
That brings us to the main question: how do you do this? Certain steps need to be followed, so allow us to help you out!
Discover your eligibility
Before you get your hopes up, you have to see if you are eligible to become a registered NDIS business. Some businesses don’t fall under the requirements to register, and you can find more information on this right here.
Primarily, your business has to provide at least one of the main supports and services delivered for NDIS participants. These fall into the following categories:
- Core: Support for participants struggling with daily living activities
- Capital: Support for an investment, such as new equipment or technologies at home
- Capacity building: Support to help a participant become more independent and develop new skills
If you provide any services that fall under these categories, your business should be eligible to register under the scheme.
However, there are other things to take into account, such as your employees and whether they meet the requirements. As long as they are screened via the national screening process, you will be fine.
Next, look at your previous incidents and complaints history. If you have too many incidents or complaints, there’s a high chance your application will be rejected. Finally, ensure you have your ABN to hand as it will be needed in the next few steps.
Start an online application
If you click here you’ll be taken to the NDIS Commission website that provides you with an online application to begin. It’s a fairly straightforward application, but it does need to be completed within 60 days. If you don’t complete it in this timeframe, the application gets deleted and you’ll have to start again.
The site also goes into detail about what you’ll need to complete the application. This includes:
- Business details
- The NDIS supports/services you provide
- A self-assessment against the required standards
- Any information on suitability – such as bankruptcies, convictions or anything else
Audit your business
Shortly after completing this application, you should receive an email from the NDIS. Don’t get too excited – you aren’t registered just yet. Instead, the email stipulates that you’ll need to audit your business. There are two different types of audits you may have to complete:
- A verification audit – this is for lower-risk service providers
- A certification audit – this is for higher-risk service providers
From here, you will have to find a company that can audit yours – it’s not something you can do yourself. Moreover, the NDIS Commission states that the auditor has to be approved by them. Don’t worry, there’s a complete list of approved NDIS auditors that you can look through. Make extra care to choose an auditor that can conduct the specific type of audit your business needs!
Await the outcome
At this point, the NDIS Commission will have your application and the audit from whoever conducted it. Now, they will review everything to assess your suitability. If you are successful, you’ll get a certificate that officially announces you are a registered NDIS business. On this certificate, you will see the services your company will provide. This is important as it means you can’t provide other services outside of these – you’re only registered to do what you put on your application.
What happens if you are unsuccessful?
Unfortunately, not a lot can be done. It is possible to request a review of your application, which may result in a different outcome. Most of the time, it won’t. But, you could apply again if you notice why you weren’t approved and it’s something you can change.
Is there another way to own a registered NDIS business?
Yes, there is an alternative way that’s not as difficult and will ensure that all of these steps are taken care of for you. All you have to do is look for an NDIS business for sale. At Home Caring, we can provide you with exactly what you’re looking for.
We are a registered NDIS business that offers franchise opportunities for individuals in the health sector. Effectively, you join our ranks are a franchise owner and you’ll get your hands on a business that’s registered with the NDIS. It really is that simple, and you benefit from receiving funding support as part of the scheme. We make life even easier by promising a 50/50 partnership whereby we cover 50% of the costs of starting your business. You always retain 50% of the profits and receive constant support to help you run the most profitable NDIS business out there.
Overall, there are two ways to become a registered NDIS business. Firstly, you can start your own company from the ground up, providing the relevant NDIS services or support. Then, you have to follow the steps above to submit your application and deal with an audit. Or, you can purchase a franchise business that’s already registered. This is a much easier and quicker way of enjoying the benefits of being an NDIS business.
If you’re truly interested in NDIS business opportunities, feel free to get in touch with Home Caring today. You can find all of our contact details – or, fill in the enquiry form to learn more about our franchise business model.
