Key takeaways
- The Core Module has four divisions covering rights, governance, supports and the support environment.
- Verification covers four areas; supplementary modules add requirements for specific supports.
- Each standard has an outcome and quality indicators. Answer how, who and where is the record.
- Standards are applied in proportion to your size and risk.
Where the standards come from
The NDIS Practice Standards are set out in the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules. The quality indicators that auditors assess against are in the NDIS (Quality Indicators for NDIS Practice Standards) Guidelines. Both are updated from time to time, so always work from the current versions on the Federal Register of Legislation or the NDIS Commission website.
The Core Module
The Core Module applies to providers on the certification pathway. It has four divisions:
- Rights and responsibilities: person-centred supports, individual values and beliefs, privacy and dignity, independence and informed choice, and freedom from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
- Provider governance and operational management: governance, risk, quality, information, complaints, incidents, human resources, continuity of supports, and emergency and disaster management.
- Provision of supports: access to supports, support planning, service agreements, responsive support provision, and transitions to or from a provider.
- Support provision environment: safe environment, participant money and property, medication management, mealtime management and waste management.
Some standards apply only if relevant. For example, medication management applies when you are responsible for administering medication, and mealtime management applies when you support participants who need it.
The Verification Module and supplementary modules
The Verification Module is a shorter set for lower-risk supports: risk management, complaints management, incident management and human resource management.
Supplementary modules add requirements for particular supports, on top of the Core Module:
- Module 1: High intensity daily personal activities
- Module 2: Specialist behaviour support
- Module 2A: Implementing behaviour support plans
- Module 3: Early childhood supports
- Module 4: Specialised support coordination
- Module 5: Specialist disability accommodation
- Module 5A: Assistance with supported independent living
How to read a standard
Each standard has an outcome (what participants should experience) and quality indicators (what the auditor looks for). Read the indicators as questions: how do we do this, who does it, and where is the record? If you can answer all three for every indicator, you are in good shape.
Auditors apply the standards in proportion to your size and the risk of your supports. A sole trader is not expected to have a board, but is expected to show how decisions are made and reviewed.
The Code of Conduct is separate
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to all NDIS providers and workers, registered or not. Your workers should know it, and your policies and induction should reflect it.
Rules and guidance change. Check the current guidance on the NDIS Commission website before you rely on a detail.
What auditors typically look for
- That you can point to evidence for each applicable quality indicator.
- That conditional standards (medication, mealtimes, waste) are covered when they apply.
- That workers know the Code of Conduct.
Knowledge check
1. Which division of the Core Module covers complaints and incidents?
Complaints and incident management sit in Division 2, governance and operational management.
2. When does the medication management standard apply?
It is conditional on you being responsible for administering medication.
3. Who must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct?
The Code of Conduct applies to registered and unregistered providers and their workers.
Practical checklist
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Related documents in the full set
- Self-Assessment Guide and Sample Answers
- Governance and Operational Management Policy and Procedure
- Quality Management Policy and Procedure
- Staff Handbook
General information based on the NDIS rules and Practice Standards current when this guide was reviewed. It is not legal advice. Check the NDIS Commission and the Federal Register of Legislation for the latest requirements.