July 2023 – July 2024 changes to the NDIS Practice Standards

In November, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) made a few changes to the Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We’ve broken them down for you below.

 

What’s New?

From 1 July 2023, prices for supports delivered by disability support workers and Level 1 Support Coordinators will be increased by 5.3%, including: an adjustment to price limits in line with the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) decision to increase award wages.

Also, there are now 3 new Practice Standards. These are:

‍

• Mealtime Management
• Severe Dysphagia Management
• Emergency and Disaster Management

 

4.1 Mealtime Management (under Core Practice Standard 4: Provision of Supports Environment)

Came into effect: 13 December 2021‍

‍

Service providers who provide mealtime support to participants—that need assistance to manage mealtimes—fall under this standard. 

‍

It aims to ensure that participants receive safe and nutritious meals, which are to be made in a safe and appropriate environment and cater to each individual’s dietary needs, including textures of meals.

 

Severe Dysphagia Management (under Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities)

Came into effect: 15 November 2021

‍

While not under the 4 core Practice Standards, Severe Dysphagia Management appears in Schedule 2 – Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities.

‍

It applies to service providers that are approved to provide support to participants in daily personal activities, with a focus on dysphagia management. 

‍

Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties and, therefore, this standard aims to ensure providers are supporting each participant appropriately. This means ensuring the support is specific and relevant to each individual.

 

2.9 Emergency and Disaster Management (Under Core Practice Standard 2: Provider Governance and Operational Management)

Comes into effect: 24 January 2022

‍

This standard aims to improve the health, safety, and well-being of participants. Service providers are required to prepare for, prevent, manage, and respond to emergency disaster situations.

‍

Under this Quality Indicator, providers must demonstrate holistic planning around emergencies and disasters, which covers how they will minimise risks and ensure continuity of supports to the participants.

Other updates

There are also new and amended Quality Indicators for some of the other Practice Standards. These include:

‍

Core Standard/Modules

Practice Standard

1: Rights and Responsibilities

‍

• 1.1 Person-centred Supports

2:  Provider Governance and Operational Management 

‍

• 2.2 Risk Management 
• 2.7 Human Resource Management
• 2.8 Continuity of Supports

3: Provision of Supports

‍

• 3.2 Support Planning  
• 3.3 Service Agreements with Participants 
• 3.4 Responsive Support Provision 
• 3.5 Transitions to or from a provider 

4: Provision of Supports Environment

‍

• 4.1 Safe Environment 
• 4.5 Management of Waste

‍

Module 3: Early Childhood Supports

‍

• The Child

Verification module

‍

• Human Resource Management 
• Risk Management

 

How do these apply to me?

 

lf you are a new applicant or are re-registering as an NDIS Provider, the above applies to you as these came into effect on 15 November 2021.

 

If you applied before 15 November 2021 but have not been assessed by an auditor, the new Practice Standards and Quality Indicators apply to you.

 

Existing and registered providers and mid-term audits

If your mid-term audit is carried out after 15 November 2021, the new Practice Standards and Quality Indicators apply to you. However, this depends on whether the audits will be carried out after the date the new standards come into effect. 

 

What about transitioned providers?

These new standards do not apply to transitioned providers unless they submit a renewal application.