Almost one out of every five Australians have some form of disabilities. This nationwide statistic is also true in New South Wales, where Sydney is. But wherever they are in the country, people with disabilities have different needs, and additional support is essential if they are to live independently and with confidence.
If you live in Sydney and you have a disability, you can access the National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS. Once you have your plan, you can choose from the best NDIS providers Sydney has to offer. But before we get to this, let’s take a closer look at what the NDIS is.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS was introduced in 2016 and fully implemented in 2019. It was designed to support Australians with disabilities, their families, and their carers. It is administered jointly by the national and state governments.
The NDIS offers individualised support packages to help people with disabilities access mainstream services such as housing and education, and community services such as sports clubs and libraries. It can also be used to maintain informal support from family and friends.
Like many other social policy programs in Australia, the NDIS is driven by demand and is not capped.
Registered vs. Unregistered NDIS Providers Sydney Has To offer
After receiving your NDIS plan, the next step is to hire a service provider to deliver the support that you need. The way you manage your plan can impact your choice.
If your plan is self-managed, you have the freedom to choose between an NDIS provider that is registered with the NDIA and one that is not. If your plan is managed by the NDIA or a third party, you could only hire registered NDIS providers.
Registering with NDIA is not mandatory, so it is legal for unregistered providers to operate. But there are perks to dealing with registered NDIS providers.
Why Choose Registered NDIS Providers in Sydney Area?
Unregistered NDIS providers are not subject to the quality standards of the NDIA. This means that the responsibility of gauging the safety of your support plan falls on you. However, living with a disability or caring for someone with a disability is already time and energy-consuming in itself. You might not have enough left to manage the plan properly, let alone ensure that the service provider is doing its job well.
On the other hand, registered NDIS providers go through a strict screening and qualification process. The agency ensures that each provider has the skill and experience to get the job done. They provide certifications to prove that a provider is up to the task. They also provide support services to help service providers become more effective.
It is important to note that the quality of the services does not necessarily depend on whether the provider is registered or not. NDIA registration is complex, and some companies choose to operate without going through the process. This means that they could have the skills and resources needed to deliver the same quality of service despite not having the “registered” label.
However, it would be up to you to determine if they are, in fact, capable. This means that you need to invest some time to ensure that you or your loved one is getting proper care. Hiring a registered NDIS provider gives you peace of mind straight away.
