It doesn’t matter if you plan on offering caregiver relief, home care services, transportation or help to find a job, the act of setting up an NDIS-related business is an involved process.
Overall, there are several different steps you need to complete before you can become fully operational, so it is worth taking the time to understanding the process before embarking on it.
In this guide, we’ll present an overview of the steps you need to take to become an officially registered NDIS provider.
As you will see, there are quite a few things you need to do to achieve this recognition. But if you follow the steps outlined below, the application process should run a lot more smoothly for you.
1. Determine a legal business structure
If you want to set up an NDIS business your first point of action should be to determine what your legal business structure will be. Your options include operating as a sole trader, partnership or company.
Before choosing which one is best for you, it is worth engaging the services of a specialist lawyer or contacting the ATO to explain the pros and cons of each option.
2. Get an ABN and register your business
Once you have chosen your legal structure you will then need to register your business with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
They, in turn, will provide you with an ABN (Australian Business Number), which is an essential step because you can’t legally run a company in Australia without one.
Having this unique 11-digit number is important, because it enables you to seamlessly deal with several government agencies and departments via this single piece of identification.
3. Develop a Business Plan
With the legal compliance aspects completed the next step is to develop a business plan for your NDIS business.
This comprehensive document should be a roadmap for how your business will operate and for what purpose. It should include elements such as your objectives and goals, who your target audience is, how you will deliver your services and what your pricing structure will be.
In addition, it should also include aspects such as how you will market your business to potential customers and strategies for growing it, for example, franchising.
If you are not familiar with the process of writing a business plan, it is a good idea to hire the services of an expert business coach to help you.
4. Start the NDIS Registration process
With your business plan written, you can then start the process of applying for NDIS registration.
The first step here is to visit the NDIS Commission website and fill out their application form. Just make sure you provide them with the correct information for your ABN, contact details and anything else they require.
5. Take a Self-Assessment for NDIS Practice Standards
Having filled out the online application form you are next required to undertake a self-assessment to measure yourself against current NDIS practice standards.
The purpose of this self-assessment is to make sure you satisfy the quality and safety standards for NDIS providers.
Rather than seeing this as something to be worried about, it is a good idea to view it as a useful tool for identifying what areas of your business should be improved or enhanced before you need to undertake the next step – the verification or certification audit.
6. Pass the Process of Certification Audit
You won’t be given NDIS registration if you don’t pass a verification or certification audit. However, this will need to be completed by an approved quality auditor.
This audit is important because if you pass it, you will demonstrate that your business meets the expected standards of an NDIS registered business.
7. Await the NDIS Commission
Once the audit has been completed and you have submitted the documentation to them, the NDIS will assess your application.
There is no set timeframe for this process. But typically it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, as they will need to be thorough in their assessment of whether you satisfy all of their criteria.
If they approve your application, you will be given the official status of being a registered NDIS provider. However, if it proves to be unsuccessful, you will be able to appeal the decision via an Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
8. Launch your NDIS Service
Should your business be successful you can set about launching your NDIS service.
To do this, you will need to find a location for your head office, furnish your office space with the requisite technology and equipment and make sure your brand name is protected.
9. Promote Your NDIS Business
With your business now launched, you should focus your attention on getting the word out about it.
There are several ways you can do this including through social media, advertising, NDIS crm software, You Tube videos, blogging and direct marketing.
At the end of the day, the more effective your marketing is, the more people it will reach. So be innovative and engaging in all your promotional efforts.
10. Hire quality staff
A business is only as good as its staff. Therefore, you should make a concerted effort time to build a team of professionals who will be able to deliver the services you offer according to your core values and objectives.One of the best ways to do this is to engage the services of an employment agency that specialises in the NDIS Service sector. Depending on what services you offer, it might be useful for candidates to have experience with an approved Fair Health insurance company.
