Support Coordination Australia is an independent Support Coordination Company, we believe in building a supportive community for individuals dealing with special needs, be it physical, intellectual, psychosocial or sensory. We are here to support you to match with the right services providers and obtain the adequate plan budget that meets your needs
Important News
November 2024
🚴♀️ Disability-Specific Bicycles and NDIS Funding: What You Need to Know 🚴♂️
At Support Coordination Australia, we’re here to keep you informed about how NDIS funding works for assistive products, including bicycles and tricycles. If you or someone you support is considering applying for these supports, here’s a detailed guide to help you understand eligibility and requirements.
Can NDIS Fund Bicycles or Tricycles?
Yes, the NDIS can provide funding for bicycles or tricycles if they are specifically designed or adapted to meet a participant’s disability-related needs. These items are categorized as assistive products for recreation under the NDIS and must meet the ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Funding
To qualify for funding, the bicycle or tricycle must:
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Include disability-specific features or modifications that address a participant’s functional needs.
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Be designed for participants who need support to engage in recreational activities.
Additionally, the NDIS may cover the cost of adapting or modifying a standard bicycle or tricycle to include disability-specific features.
What’s Not Covered by the NDIS?
While the NDIS supports modifications and disability-specific designs, it will not cover:
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The cost of purchasing a standard, unmodified bicycle, tricycle, or electric bicycle.
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Electric bicycles as replacement supports, as they are not considered standard household items.
This means participants or their families must self-fund the initial purchase of a standard bicycle or tricycle before any modifications are applied.
Examples of Disability-Specific Features
Some examples of modifications that may qualify include:
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Additional support for balance, such as stabilizers or custom seats.
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Hand-operated controls or adaptive steering.
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Electric motor assist, provided it is necessary for the participant’s disability needs.
How Can Support Coordination Australia Help?
Navigating the NDIS can be complex, but that’s why we’re here! Our team can:
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Help you determine if your request meets the NDIS criteria.
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Guide you through the application process for assistive products.
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Work with providers to ensure modifications meet your specific needs.
Recreational activities are an essential part of living an inclusive and fulfilling life. Disability-specific bicycles and tricycles can play a key role in enhancing independence and social engagement.
If you’d like to know more or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
📩 Contact us today for support or visit the NDIS website for more information.
November 2024
🌧️ Disaster Preparation Tips for the Disability Community 🌞
As we approach extreme weather season, it’s essential to have a plan in place for hot days, storms, and other emergencies. Here are some tips to help you stay prepared and safe:
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Plan for Extreme Weather: Identify a cool place to go during hot days, such as a friend’s house, community center, or designated cooling site. For storm days, ensure you have a safe shelter or evacuation plan in place.
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Save Emergency Contacts: Make a list of all important emergency numbers, including local emergency services, doctors, carers, and support coordinators, and save them in an easy-to-access spot. Ensure you have a backup written list as well!
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Discuss Your Emergency Plan with Carers: Communicate your plan with family, carers, and any support staff. Go over the steps to take during an emergency, including medication needs, equipment, and any mobility assistance.
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Prepare Essential Items: Keep a bag with essential items like medications, medical devices, extra water, a flashlight, and snacks, ready to go at all times.
By planning ahead, we can all be better prepared to face any situation safely. Stay informed, stay connected, and stay safe! 💪✨
October 2024
Important Update: Changes to NDIS Supports Starting 3 October 2024
From 3 October 2024, NDIS participants will only be able to use their funding for approved NDIS supports. To help participants and their nominees understand these changes, we have published detailed lists on our website, outlining:
These lists are available in both standard and Easy Read versions for greater accessibility. We encourage all participants to review them to ensure they are fully aware of what their funding can be used for.
How to Stay Informed
To keep everyone updated, our CEO has sent an email to all participants and nominees explaining these important changes. If you haven’t received the email, please check your spam or junk folder. Alternatively, if you’ve opted out of emails, you may not have received this update.
For the most up-to-date information on NDIS legislation and support changes, please visit the NDIS website.
Need Help?
If you have any questions or need assistance understanding these updates, our support coordinators are here to help you navigate the changes and ensure you are accessing the right supports.
Stay informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance!
October 2024
Clarifications of NDIS supports
Starting from October 3, 2024, the NDIS has introduced updated support lists to clarify NDIS-funded support options. The changes are categorized as follows:
- NDIS funded support – This category focuses on the supports that meet the reasonable and necessary criteria.
NDIS Guideline and Criteria
- Non- NDIS funded support - such as rent, utilities, lifestyle, donation, car, food cost and etc. You can download the complete list here:
- Replacement support - In some specific circumstances, NDIS can fund supports that are not NDIS supports.
Replacement support refers to the services, items or equipment you would like to use is a replacement of what have been stated in your plan. It is not an extra support. It has to been agreed by NDIS in writing prior to purchase.
Please find the details clarifications at: What is a replacement support?
We understand the changes may seem overwhelming, but SCA is here to help you navigate them and ensure you and your service providers comply with the updated regulations.
September 2024
New Era of Stronger Registration
Breaking news "New Era of Stronger Registration", the Australian government will now require all Support coordinators are NDIS registered. Please refer to the link below for details. Support Coordination Australia is a proud registered NDIS service provider with NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Stronger Registration to begin for NDIS sector
September 2024
Important Updates to NDIS Legislation – What You Need to Know
We wanted to take a moment to inform you about some important updates to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Australian Parliament has recently approved changes to NDIS legislation, and these changes will take effect from 3 October 2024. We understand that there’s been a lot of conversation in the community, media, and among participants and their networks about these changes. We’re here to provide clarity and reassurance as we transition into this new phase of the NDIS.
For most participants, there will not be an immediate impact. The way they currently experience the NDIS will largely remain the same for now. The more noticeable changes will come when we transition into the new planning framework later next year. What You Need to Know: We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way, and today, we want to outline:
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What’s changing
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When these changes will happen
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Where to find more information
When the Changes Begin
The first changes will come into effect on 3 October 2024. However, not all changes will happen at once. For many participants, significant changes will be introduced later, and we’ll ensure you are notified before these take place.
Until 3 October 2024, providers should:
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Continue to claim for supports as per the current operational guidance.
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Support participants in managing their spending according to their current plan.
Changes to NDIS Supports
From 3 October 2024, there will be a new definition of what qualifies as an NDIS support. This updated definition will clearly outline what participants can and cannot use their NDIS funding for.
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Participants will only be able to spend their funding on supports that fall under the updated NDIS definition.
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There will be certain guidelines around what is not considered an NDIS support.
We are currently consulting with the community to finalise this definition and will communicate any changes before they take effect. In some cases, participants may be able to request funding for a support that does not fall within the standard NDIS definition. More details on this will be shared soon.
If a participant mistakenly uses their funding for a non-NDIS support, we will work with them to ensure they understand the new rules and help them navigate available supports.
Budget and Funding Changes
For any plans reviewed after 3 October 2024, participants will see a new format with a total budget amount for all their supports. This new structure will simplify how funding is presented and help participants manage their plans more efficiently.
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Current plans list supports line by line, but from 3 October 2024, plans will show a total budget, providing a clearer picture of the total funding available.
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Initially, all new plans will cover a 12-month period. In the future, we anticipate that most plans will be extended for longer periods, and we’ll keep you informed of any changes.
Supporting You Through the Transition
We know change can create uncertainty, but the core purpose of the NDIS remains the same: providing disability-related supports to participants. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will be supporting providers and participants throughout this process, and we will make sure you have all the information and resources needed to guide your participants through these updates.
For more details, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll keep updating you with the latest information as we move closer to the transition dates. Stay tuned for more updates!
September 2024
Helping Families Choose Quality Supports for Their Children
At Support Coordination Australia, we are committed to empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions when selecting support services for their children. We are excited to announce the release of a new guide, developed in collaboration with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, that simplifies the process of choosing quality supports for early childhood development.
Introducing the Guide to Choosing Quality Supports for Children
This guide has been created to help parents and carers better understand what quality supports should look like for their children. It outlines the key practices that indicate a provider is offering high-standard, person-centred care. It also offers practical tools to help you assess potential service providers and make confident choices.
When selecting a provider, look for those who:
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Priorities your child’s safety and wellbeing
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Deliver services based on best practice
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Focus on achieving positive outcomes for your child and your family
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Meet your expectations and needs
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Promote inclusion and encourage social participation
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Enhance the overall quality of life for your child and your family
What’s Inside the Guide?
The guide offers valuable advice and examples on topics such as privacy, dignity, safety checks, and specialist behavior supports. It also includes:
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Tips on choosing the right provider
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Key questions to ask potential providers
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Steps for raising concerns or making a complaint
We understand that most NDIS providers strive to deliver great services, but if you feel something isn’t right, you have every right to speak up. Your feedback not only improves the support your child receives but also helps enhance services for all families within the NDIS community.
At Support Coordination Australia, we are here to help you navigate this process and ensure you have the right tools to advocate for your child’s needs. If you have any questions or would like assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Together, we can ensure that every child receives the highest standard of support, tailored to their individual needs.
August 2024
NDIA and Fraud Fusion Taskforce intensifies investigations to catch crooks
The Australian government's crackdown on fraudulent activities within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has shown significant progress, thanks to early morning raids, payment locks, and increased prosecutions led by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce. Over the past few weeks, three major warrants have been executed, and nearly 1,000 service providers have had their claims blocked due to suspected fraudulent activities.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten emphasized that this effort, which began in mid-2022, is successfully detecting and preventing fraud. The government is removing dishonest providers, moving affected participants to safer alternatives, and pursuing criminal prosecutions against fraudulent operators. The Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which now includes 21 government agencies, continues to expand its operations to detect and prosecute those attempting to defraud the NDIS.
Minister Shorten made it clear that fraudulent activities, whether through falsified claims or financial misconduct, will not be tolerated. He encouraged honest providers to report any suspicious behavior to protect the integrity of the scheme.
An effective way for participants to further safeguard themselves from fraudulent activities is by choosing an independent support coordinator. Independent coordinators, who operate without ties to service providers or financial incentives, are better positioned to ensure participants receive transparent and unbiased advice. This separation of interests helps prevent conflicts of interest, reducing the risk of fraudulent claims or services being promoted, thereby enhancing the integrity of the participant’s NDIS experience.
August 2024
Public consultation - Draft definition of NDIS Supports
On 27 March 2024, the Australian Government introduced proposed legislative amendments to the NDIS Act 2013 – ‘The Bill’.
The Bill is the Government’s first step to getting the NDIS back on track and improving outcomes for participants. As part of the proposed legislative amendments to Section 10 of the NDIS Act, the Government has developed draft definitions of NDIS Supports which describe what NDIS funding can and cannot be spent on.
The draft definitions clearly describe appropriate uses of NDIS funding under the Act and reflect current guidance and practice. You can view the draft definitions on the DSS Engage website.
There are no immediate changes. Participants should continue to spend in accordance with their plans, as they have been doing. The proposed changes will come into effect when the Bill becomes law, if passed by the Parliament. The Australian Government is asking for your feedback on the proposed new definitions of NDIS Supports. The Department of Social Services is facilitating public consultation. The public consultation period is open until 18 August 2024. For more information, or to have your say, visit DSS Engage.
You can also request a callback via the DSS Enquiry line on 1300 653 227. Your feedback will help make sure the new definitions are right and will help NDIS participants and providers when selecting supports.
July 2024
The NDIS has made an important adjustment to the short-notice cancellation policy for non-Disability Support Worker-related supports. The cancellation period is now set to 2 business days to align with market norms.
Participants: It's highly recommended to have service agreements with your providers. These agreements help set clear expectations for the delivery of supports, including how short-notice cancellations will be handled.
Clear service agreements ensure everyone is on the same page, making it easier to manage your supports effectively.
Stay informed and ensure your agreements are up-to-date!
For more information visit the Your rights and responsibilities webpage: NDIS Your Rights & Responsibilities
July 2024
NDIS Updates: What You Need to Know
The Australian Government is making changes to the NDIS to ensure it works better for everyone. Here are some key updates:
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New Rules for Spending: The NDIA is setting new rules for plan managers and support coordinators to help prevent running out of NDIS funds too early.
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Controlling Costs: Efforts are being made to control the costs within the NDIS to keep the program sustainable.
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Preventing Fraud: The NDIA is improving its systems to better detect and prevent fraudulent activities.
These changes may impact how your NDIS plan is managed. Our team at Support Coordination Australia is here to help you understand these updates and make sure your funding is used correctly.
For More NDIS related Information you can also visit website https://www.ndis.gov.au/
