The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a national scheme that provides quality and safeguards for people with a disability. Like other extensive government social programs, the NDIS needs constant checks to ensure that the rights of participants are being followed, and the responsibilities of providers are being upheld.
The core goal of the NDIS is to provide reasonable and necessary support for participants to improve their independence and quality of life. This is done by working with a range of service providers, including those who provide disability-related supports and services.
This cannot be achieved overnight and without oversight. Fortunately, there are checks and balances in place to ensure that the Scheme is operating how it should be, and delivering on its core goal. This article will examine one of the key figures in this field – The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
If you want to know more about the function of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, get in touch with HealSoul. Our team are highly experienced at working in the Scheme, and can give you insight into the work the Commission does that is relevant to your location and personal situation.
What is the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission?
The NDIS quality and safeguards commission is an independent statutory body that promotes quality and safeguards for people with disability who receive supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The commission also works with state and territory governments, registered providers, peak bodies and other stakeholders to improve the design and delivery of disability supports and services.
What does the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission do?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has four key functions:
- Monitoring and promoting compliance with the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, and quality and safeguarding standards
- Investigating complaints about NDIS supports and services
- Taking enforcement action where there is non-compliance with the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, or relevant quality and safeguarding standards
- Working with state and territory governments, registered providers, peak bodies and other stakeholders to improve the design and delivery of disability supports and services.
The commission’s functions are set out in section 97 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission can also examine the NDIS Code of Conduct and how it is being upheld by workers and support service providers.
What are the 7 elements of the NDIS Code of Conduct?
The NDIS Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour that registered providers and their employees, contractors, and volunteers must meet when they are providing supports and services to people with disability.
The Code has 7 elements:
- Respect
- Privacy
- Dignity
- Choice
- Working in partnership
- Information sharing
- Safety
If any elements of this Code are not being upheld, they can be reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. You can learn about how to lodge a complaint by reading onward.
How does the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission operate?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a stand-alone, independent statutory body. It commenced operations on 1 July 2016, and has been in operation since that date.
The commission is governed by a board, which is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of the Commission’s functions. The board comprises seven members, including the Chairperson. The Commission has two offices, one in Adelaide and one in Sydney.
What is the role of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in relation to complaints?
The NDIS quality and safeguards commission can investigate complaints about breaches of the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, or relevant quality and safeguarding standards. The Commission can also investigate complaints about the design and delivery of NDIS supports and services, including issues relating to access, eligibility, funding and portability.
If you have a complaint about an NDIS support or service, you can contact the commission on 1800 035 544.
How does the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission take action against providers?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has a range of enforcement powers that it can use to take action against registered providers who breach the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, or relevant quality and safeguarding standards.
The Commission can take a range of enforcement actions, including:
- Issuing cautions
- Directions
- Suspensions
- Cancellations of registration.
The Commission can also impose civil penalties on registered providers for certain breaches of the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, or relevant quality and safeguarding standards. The maximum amount of a civil penalty that can be imposed on a registered provider is $1.1 million.
Final word
To summarise, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is an important part of the NDIS support system. The Commission monitors and promotes compliance with the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, and relevant quality and safeguarding standards. It also investigates complaints about NDIS supports and services, and takes enforcement action where there is non-compliance with the NDIS Act, the NDIS Rules, or relevant quality and safeguarding standards.
For more information about the Commission and what it can do for you, contact HealSoul. We can help you understand your rights as an NDIS participant.
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