The NDIS Audit Checklist
The NDIS Provider's Guide to Becoming Audit-Proof
Use this checklist to help guide your team through the process of reviewing compliance data, processes, procedures, technology and security to set your organisation up to be audit-proof.
What is an NDIS audit?
An NDIS audit is a comprehensive review that ensures providers align with the NDIS Practice Standards – guidelines designed to uphold quality, safety, and fairness in disability services. Sure, it may seem like a drag at the time. But these compulsory audits are important for participants to confirm their rights, and prioritise wellbeing all while upholding the integrity and reliability of the services provided.
What are the types of NDIS audits?
Verification Audits
Verification audits are tailored for smaller NDIS providers delivering low-risk services, such as gardening or home repairs. These audits are conducted remotely, making them a quicker and more cost-effective option compared to comprehensive assessments. Verification audits are designed to be efficient, occurring only every three years.
Certification Audits
Certification audits are designed for larger NDIS providers delivering high-risk services, such as personal care or complex health support. These audits involve a multi-stage process to ensure thorough compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. Key steps include an in-depth review of policies and documentation, on-site visits to observe practices in action, and interviews with staff and participants to gather insights into service quality.
Why are NDIS audits important?
These audits aren’t just a tick-the-box exercise. They’re a mandatory step for registered providers to show they’re walking the talk when it comes to transparency and trust. It’s about proving your commitment to the wonderful care that protects participants and raises the bar for the entire community.
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How to Prepare for an NDIS Audit
Organise Documentation:
Get all your paperwork in order – and don’t let compliance slide to the bottom of your to-do list. Ensure you have up-to-the-minute and detailed records. You’ll need to make sure all your documents are easily accessible, including participant records, policies, procedures, and financial statements.
Conduct Internal Audits
Uncover vulnerabilities, safeguard privacy and confidentiality, and address health and safety concerns with an internal audit. These audits empower your team to develop targeted strategies that protect individuals, strengthen compliance, and ensure a safer, more secure environment for everyone involved.
Train Your Staff
Ensure all staff members are trained on NDIS policies, procedures, and their roles in maintaining compliance and quality service delivery.
Maintaining up-to-date training records is also empowering for your team of good humans. It gives them everything they need to do their best work while enjoying the process.
Collect Evidence of Compliance
Turn your paper trail – incident reports, service agreements, and essential data into a clear reflection of your dedication to not just meeting but exceeding the NDIS Code of Conduct. With an automated platform, NDIS compliance requirements become second nature. Built-in workflows take care of the fine print, so you can stop the double handling and focus on delivering exceptional care.
Focus on Continuous Improvement
True excellence isn’t a destination. It shows your dedication to getting better. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and you can evaluate and refine your processes, address challenges head on and deliver the highest standard of care.
Common Challenges During NDIS Audits
Incomplete Documentation
Incomplete or missing documentation can slow things down and cause concerns about meeting compliance standards. While setting aside time to review regularly and complete documentation is helpful, using automated tools can make things easier by tracking and storing everything in one place – so you never have to worry about being out of sync.
Lack of Staff Preparedness
If staff members are not fully prepared for an audit, it can lead to confusion and missed opportunities to showcase compliance. Our tip? Get them involved and empowered. Create checklists for staff to follow, conduct internal training and make sure they’re familiar with the process.
Unclear Procedures
Unclear or inconsistent procedures can make it difficult for auditors to assess your operations accurately – or even worse – miss compliance requirements altogether. Document and review all processes clearly and ensure they align with NDIS standards.
Download Your Free NDIS Audit Checklist
How vulnerable is your operation to gaps in information? Before your next audit, gather your key stakeholders and use this checklist to review your information systems.
This handy checklist will help guide your team through the process of reviewing compliance data, unearthing how time-consuming it will be to gather evidence for an audit. This will allow you to review processes, procedures and technology and security to set your organisation up for bullet-proof preparedness.
You’ll learn:
- Where the gaps in your data are
- Which processes need to be improved
- What systems you need in place to be audit-proof
How Can I Use Technology in NDIS Audit Preparation?
Technology works to make NDIS audit preparation human-friendly, offering tools like digital checklists, centralised data systems, and automated workflows that simplify compliance.
These solutions make documentation effortless, lighten your admin load, and ensure pinpoint accuracy. Our NDIS compliance software keeps you ahead of the curve with automated reminders for expiring documents and real-time updates, all wrapped up in a system that feels intuitive and approachable.
Stay NDIS Audit-Ready with GoodHuman
Our NDIS software keeps all the details interconnected – from seamless rostering to hassle-free invoicing.
But GoodHuman truly stands out in its smart compliance tools, which are designed to make NDIS audit preparation a breeze. Enjoy secure document management, automatic reminders for expiring files, comprehensive digital records of every service provided, and quality assurance features like location verification and client digital signatures – all built to keep you wonderfully organised and ahead of the curve.
Ready for a system that’s as reliable as you are? GoodHuman is here to support you every step of the way.
FAQs
What is NDIS software?
An NDIS software is a solution that specialises in enabling disability service providers to operate more efficiently. Disability service providers benefit from software purpose-built for the NDIS because it allows them to maintain compliance with the National Disability Insurance Scheme requirements and automate tasks that would typically be complex and time consuming. Solutions may include features such as an NDIS CRM, disability workforce management, NDIS case note management, rostering schedulers and reporting on client care plans.
How to choose an NDIS software?
It’s important to plan ahead and choose a software that will scale with your business over the next 5-10 years. Identify all the inefficient processes in your business, as there may be an opportunity to solve multiple inefficiencies with a single solution. Some important functionality include:
- Built-in NDIS price guides
- Automated billing
- Real-time NDIS budget tracking
- Workforce rostering
- NDIS compliance management
- CRM for client case notes
What are the benefits of using an NDIS management software?
Disability support providers can overcome many of the inefficiencies in their day-to-day operations. In particular, NDIS management software helps teams save time on processes that affect NDIS compliance such as rostering, billing, service agreements, quotes, care information and incident reporting.
What functionality does an NDIS provider need to operate effectively?
Disability service providers often find themselves bringing together an expensive suite of applications to operate; a Client Management System for record-keeping, a CRM for communications, payroll and finance systems for invoicing, and rostering and time attendance software for workforce management. The best NDIS software incorporates all of these functions natively.
What is an NDIS CRM?
An NDIS CRM gives disability service providers a single source of truth for client relationship management. GoodHuman eliminates double handling and booking and billing errors with rich and dynamic customer relationship management tools. Every single automation in GoodHuman is driven by each customer’s digital service agreement, their support needs, care information and more.
NDIS rostering software typically helps administrators automate tasks such as filling empty shifts and managing break compliance. GoodHuman’s rostering functionality is natively connected to all other parts of your operation which means that scheduling is linked to your staff costs within the NDIS price guide and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) award. Smart rostering also helps support providers be more deliberate in the way they match their workers to customers and shifts, creating better outcomes for everyone.
How much is an audit for NDIS?
Generally, audit costs depend on the complexity of the audits. A typical NDIS audit may range from approximately $3,000 to $12,000.
Who audits the NDIS?
Assessing an NDIS provider’s compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards is the responsibility of specialised organisations known as Approved Quality Auditors.
These auditors and their teams operate independently of the NDIS Commission, ensuring an impartial evaluation process while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
How often are NDIS audits required?
NDIS audits are a regular part of maintaining compliance, typically required every 18 months. However, if significant non-conformities are identified during an audit or concerns are raised with the NDIS Commission, additional audits may be scheduled to ensure standards are consistently met.