Ready to become an Approved NDIS Service Provider?

The scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides the necessary funding to people with a permanent and significant disability so they can access the supports and services they need to live and enjoy their life.

Providers are an important part of the NDIS, delivering supports and services that help participants pursue their goals.

Registering for the scheme

Providers of services are being encouraged to register, and can include large companies, charities, small not-for-profits, sole traders, or any other type of business. An ABN needs to be set up before the application process can begin.

Providers who are registered with the NDIS are called ‘NDIS registered providers’ and meet strict government quality and safety requirements.

Moreover, some services can only be provided by registered NDIS providers depending on how the NDIS plan of the participant is managed.

Examples of typical jobs/industries involved in the scheme include:

• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Podiatrists
• Speech pathologists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Dieticians
• Personal trainers
• Exercise Physiologists
• Gardeners
• Builders
• Cleaners
• Registered Training Organisations
• At home care providers
• Nursing agencies
• Disability service providers

The application is complicated and there are a number of agencies that will work with a client to get the registration set up. These companies charge thousands of dollars, and the cost will depend on the risk of the application sector.

Audits

If you wish to remain registered under the NDIS scheme, you will need to renew your Certificate of Registration every three years before your registration period ends. The renewal may commence six months prior to the expiry date and no later than three months prior.

You will need to get an independent Audit every 3 years, and again, the cost for this will vary depending on the risk involved. Many companies will get an internal audit done to ensure they are compliant, before the independent audit.

The audit process is made up of two stages. Stage one is an off-site, desk-top audit that determines your readiness for certification. Stage two, if you are a body corporate or large organisation will be undertaken on site, but NDIS providers undertaking a verification type audit will usually have their stage 2 audit conducted off-site.

How we can help

Here at TaxAssist Accountants we can help with:

1. Deciding on a business structure (company/partnership/trust/sole trader or a combination)
2. Forming the business depending on the decided structure (company formation/prepare partnership agreement (preferably by a lawyer)/order trust deeds)
3. Applying for ABN and TFN
4. Registering for GST, PAYG and FBT as required (Many supplies to NDIS participants are GST free. Please find more information here.)
5. Opening bank accounts
6. Setting up the accounting system in software such as XERO

We can get you up and running on Xero, so you can manage your accounts, and we can also assist with payroll and BAS returns.

If your accounting and financial management is set up correctly from the offset, this is one less thing to worry about when it comes to your audit. This is why so many NDIS registered companies sign up with an accountant when they establish their company. Once you are up and running, we can assist you with:

• Bookkeeping
• Accounts and budgets
• Financial statements
• Tax returns
• BAS
• Payroll

Contact us on 03 8594 1811 or enquire here to find out more about our services and to book a free video or face-to-face consultation.

Date published 26 May 2022 | Last updated 9 Jul 2022

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.