Reading Time: 2 mins If your NDIS plan is on PACE, the NDIA’s new computer system, then there is a new way of choosing a plan manager you need to know about.  You must now endorse your chosen plan manager, which means you need to let the NDIA know you are choosing to manage your plan.  Rest assured, it’s a quick and easy process and we’ve put together a few guidelines on how to endorse Acacia Plan Management to manage your funds.  Important tips before you start  Whichever endorsement option you choose, follow these steps to make sure:  To endorse Acacia Pl ..read more

Reading Time: 2 mins If you are an NDIS participant, you may have encountered instances where you’ve been quoted for a good or service related to your disability that seemed higher than ‘normal’.  This isn’t an unusual practice.  The NDIS called this ‘price differentiation’ or a ‘twin pricing regime’. It is when a provider charges a participant a higher price than they charge a person who’s not in the NDIS. Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act makes it illegal for a business to engage in unfair pricing. Therefore the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has announced a focus o ..read more

Reading Time: 4 mins The return to the new school year can sometimes be a daunting, anxious or thrilling time for a child.  If you have a child with a disability, it can be an especially nervous time so maximising their opportunity to prepare and providing as much information as possible can help ease the whole family into a smooth transition. You can also help reduce their feelings of overwhelm by preparing them for what to expect, who they can go to if they have an issue and what their daily routine will involve. Get organisedYou can never be too early when beginning to prepare your ch ..read more

Reading Time: 3 mins The holiday season is upon us once more, giving us time to reconnect and celebrate with family and friends. Although this can be a lot of fun, this time of year can bring about a few extra stressors, so be kind to yourself and follow our great suggestions. We’ve put together our top tips to help you get the most out of the holiday season this year: Check Christmas open times for your local GP, pharmacy and any other services you rely on. Operating hours may change during the Christmas period. Contact service providers to find out how your supports will be impac ..read more

Reading Time: 3 mins In our fast-paced digital world, scammers are upping their game to exploit unsuspecting individuals within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) community.  As technology advances, these scamming activities skilfully take on various forms. By diving into the intricacies of NDIS scams, people like yourself can empower themselves with the knowledge needed to stop potential threats. This understanding goes beyond recognising the conventional warning signs; it involves staying informed about the latest tactics employed by scammers and adopting proactive measur ..read more

Reading Time: 6 mins We have anticipated the launch of the NDIA’s new computer system PACE for some time now.  Since its nationwide launch on 30 October, there has been more information filtering through; you may already have been introduced as a user.  It’s much easier to work with change when you understand it and we’re going to explain what we know so far. We will keep you updated as we learn more and gain practical experience. With the new information we have about PACE, this article dives deeper into what PACE is, how it will roll out, what participants and support workers need ..read more

Reading Time: 4 mins Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when understanding the various supports available to you. Capacity building supports are one of the three types of supports budgets that your plan might include.  The other two types of budgets are core supports and capital supports. Capacity Building Supports are designed to empower individuals to reach their goals and enhance their independence.  In this article, we explore in detail what Capacity Building Supports include and how you can utilis ..read more

Reading Time: 4 mins Did you know that your Core Supports budget is the most versatile of all your funding?  If you have Core Supports in your NDIS plan, you can use your budget in many creative ways.  Knowing how to use your budget in more flexible ways takes some inside knowledge.  Let us help you explore some of the more creative ways you may be able to use this section of your budget. Depending on your disability and its impact on your daily life, there is loads of support you may be able to access through your NDIS plan.  Your Core Supports funding is d ..read more

Reading Time: 3 mins The NDIS began trialling a new system called PACE aimed at improving and optimising the participant experience. The trial began in Tasmania in November 2022 and is expected to launch to the rest of Australia in November 2023. What do we know about the PACE system? PACE is a new computer system aimed at improving connections between participants and the NDIS and bring efficiency within the NDIA to allow their staff and partners to have more time supporting people with disability to access supports. Improvements are being made to a new computer system and the ‘my NDIS’ prov ..read more

Reading Time: 2 mins Last week, the NDIA has released its quarterly report for the fourth quarter of 2022-23.  The report details information the performance of the NDIS from 1 April to 30 June 2023.  It explores NDIS data and provides feedback and results about its progress on initiatives and promises, successes and shortcomings. After reaching its tenth year in operation, there are now more than 610,000 participants of the Scheme working towards or achieving their goals. Improving the experience for participants The NDIA continues to improve the way it works to empower participan ..read more