General issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS Submission 74 - Supplementary Submission
Further to recent correspondence, can you please advise Committee members that there have been developments around the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s (NQSC) audit requirement.
You will recall that David Sinclair, CEO of Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia (ATSA), recently contacted me, reporting that a growing number of his members were abandoning NDIS related work because of the need to undergo certification by the NQSC and the prohibitive cost of the related audit. They were also concerned that AT prescribers (including occupational therapists) were abandoning NDIS work because of the cost of the audit. This was having an obvious knock-on effect on their businesses.
Mr Sinclair’s written statement was forwarded by me to the Committee.
On Monday Mr Sinclair phoned to tell me of recent promising new from the NQSC, which he put in writing to interested parties yesterday:
> After a concerted effort including letters to various federal ministers, ATSA has now been
> able to gain some concessions from the NQSC. The concession that we have, is an extension
> of time to comply with the renewal to be a provider to the NDIS, while they review the
> requirements of the audit. In other words, ATSA members will not need to complete the audit
> steps until the current review of the compliance requirements have been finished.
I would be grateful if you could alert members of the Committee to this. However, while this is promising news for AT suppliers, I would remind the Committee that the NQSC audit remains a huge issue for those occupational therapists in small to medium sized practices.
Thanks and regards.
Michael Barrett National Manager: Government and Stakeholder Relations