Overview
Global-Mark has provided certification for Commonwealth and state-based human services programs since 2005 and has built significant expertise in the human services and disability sector. Global-Mark is an Approved Quality Auditor and can undertake Certification and Verification audits against the NDIS Practice Standards.
We have a stable, skilled and experienced team of staff, client managers and technical experts that audit service providers across Australia. All our auditors have completed, at a minimum, the Quality Management System Lead Auditor course, NDIS Mandatory Auditor Training, have been scoped according to their experience, qualifications and NDIS requirements.
Global-Mark has sound systems to support and assist our auditors, which in turn supports and assists our clients to enhance their organisation’s performance, service quality and participant involvement. Global-Mark is dedicated to our clients, team and community; to helping our community through our clients.
Global-Mark is different, and this is reflected in our structure, culture, systems and our approach in working with you. The certification market is traditionally represented by conventional and conservative organisations and people. Global-Mark wants to be different, and wants our clients to benefit from this difference. Most of all, Global-Mark wants to support NDIS Providers to ensure that the National Disability Insurance Scheme succeeds and achieves positive outcomes for people with a disability.
If you would like to know more about our services, please enquire below. Or for specifics regarding your audit team or the credentialing process, please email
NDIS@global-mark.com.au or contact our Customer Service Centre.
Scheme
NDIS Certification
NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework requires that NDIS providers comply with relevant modules of the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. Compliance can be demonstrated through certification.
Certification Process
The certification process is a thorough, independent third-party review against the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators in accordance with the NDIS Approved Quality Auditor Scheme. In the first year, it is a two-stage process that involves off-site and on-site audits, generally against NDIS Practice Standards – Core Module , and any other modules relevant to the NDIS provider’s services.
Stage One – is an off-site audit that reviews the provider’s self-assessment and associated documents that are submitted to the NDIS Commission’s portal, to ensure that a provider is adequately prepared for a Stage Two audit and may identify potential or actual non-conformities.
Stage Two – is the subsequent audit (generally on-site) that evaluates the effectiveness and implementation of the NDIS provider’s systems in addressing all relevant modules or parts of the NDIS Practice Standards. It will involve key evidence gathering methods such as interviewing participants, workers, management and reviewing participant and worker files, documented records, physical environment and so on.
The purpose of Certification is to determine or confirm whether a provider is compliant with NDIS Practice Standards and other relevant NDIS Quality and Safeguards Rules, and to identify any opportunities for improvement.
Certification decisions regarding NDIS providers will be issued to the NDIS Commission, to make a recommendation for consideration when the NDIS Commission makes a registration determination. The certification cycle (3 years) will align with the date of registration and registration period, generally with annual surveillance audits.
Provisional Audits
Provisional audits will apply to a provider that wishes to become an NDIS provider and has developed systems and processes to deliver NDIS supports and services, but has not yet commenced service delivery (does not yet have clients). Provisional audits can include an off-site stage one and an on-site stage two audit, or can combine these audits as one on-site audit. There is usually an additional on-site stage two audit once the provider has commenced delivering services (within 18 months).
Note: this is only applicable for providers who are required to undergo Certification.
NDIS Practice Standards
The NDIS Practice Standards – Core Module includes 4 divisions:
Division 1 – Rights and Responsibilities
Division 2 – Governance and Operational Management
Division 3 – Provision of Supports
Division 4 – Support Provision Environment
Each division has several outcomes that are outlined in the NDIS (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2018 and require a number of indicators to be demonstrated.
Other modules additional to the Core Module that NDIS providers may be required to meet include:
Module 1 – High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
Module 2 – Specialist Behaviour Support
Module 2A – Implementing Behaviour Support Plans
Module 3 – Early Childhood Supports
Module 3A – Clause 7 of Schedule 1 (only applicable for sole traders/partnerships providing Early Childhood Supports and Therapeutic Supports)
Module 4 – Specialised Support Coordination
Module 5 – Specialist Disability Accommodation
Click here to view the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators
If you would like a quote for certification or find out more please enquire below or send your Initial Scope of Audit document to NDIS@global-mark.com.au
Verification against National Disability Insurance Scheme Provider Registration and Practice Standards
A Verification audit is a desktop, independent review by an Approved Quality Auditor against Module 6 of the NDIS Provider Registration and Standards (Part 9 of Quality Indicators). NDIS providers are required to demonstrate compliance in 4 key areas – Human Resources, Incident Management, Complaints Management, and Risk Management. An auditor will review a provider’s self-assessment and associated documents to determine whether the provider complies with the relevant quality indicators, and applicable legislation. Verification is generally required once per registration period (3 years).
Verification is only applicable for Individuals/Partners or Body Corporates who provide lower risk supports only. Each individual who is part of a provider’s registration must meet the requirements corresponding to their profession.
Quality Indicators – Verification:
Human Resources:
Records of worker identity, right to work, pre-employment checks, qualifications and or experience are maintained.
Workers complete mandatory NDIS orientation module and records of continuing professional development are maintained.
Incident Management:
An incident management system is maintained that is relevant and proportionate to the scope and complexity of supports delivered and the size and scale of the organisation. The system complies with the requirements under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018.
Complaints Management:
A complaints management and resolution system is maintained that is relevant and proportionate to the scope and complexity of supports delivered and the size and scale of the organisation. The system follows principles of procedural fairness and natural justice and complies with the requirements under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Complaints Management and Resolution) Rules 2018.
Risk Management:
A documented system that effectively manages work health and safety risks is in place, and is relevant and proportionate to the size and scale of the provider and the scope and complexity of supports.
Appropriate insurance is in place, including professional indemnity, public liability and accident insurance.
Click here to view the NDIS Commission’s Verification Module – Required Documentation
If you would like a copy of Global-Mark NDIS Verification Program Information Brochure, a quote for verification or find out more please enquire below or send your Initial Scope of Audit document to NDIS@global-mark.com.au
Participant Involvement in Certification Audits – Opt Out Sampling Methodology
The scheme states that “providers will need to advise all their participants that are automatically enrolled into the audit process (i.e. they may be contacted by the audit team for interviews, and/or have their files, records or plans reviewed to ensure compliance with the standard). In the event that a participant does not want to participate in this audit process, the provider needs to document and respect that decision, and communicate it to the auditor.”
In other words, all participants may be selected as a part of the audit process, unless they have specified that they do not wish to be involved. The provider should have a process to gain and document consent (or lack of consent) for each participant they provide services to.
Existing Providers – NSW, SA, TAS, VIC, ACT, QLD, NT, WA
Registration Renewal and Timeframes to Achieve Certification
Existing providers in these states who have had their registration transferred to the NDIS Commission will receive a letter that contains a Certificate of Registration. This certificate will display a registration expiry date. It states that every provider should commence the registration renewal process prior to this expiry date by submitting an application for renewal using the NDIS Commission’s online portal, as well as completing a self-assessment. Please allow a few hours to complete this registration/renewal process as you will need to confirm your business registration details, organisation structure and governance, suitability, registration groups, service delivery, complete your self-assessment and upload associated documents. The more detail that is included the better, as this information and the self-assessment will be used as part of the Stage 1 review.
A Condition of Registration listed outlines that providers should have successfully completed the certification process within 9 months of the registration expiry date. To clarify, this means that providers do not need to be audited prior to the registration expiry date.
Initial Scope of Audit Document
Once a provider has completed the registration renewal process, the NDIS Commission’s system should automatically generate an initial scope of audit document. This document can be provided to Approved Quality Auditors (certification bodies like Global-Mark) to calculate an audit plan, duration and quote for a provider, however further information* will be required from the provider to ensure all information is correct and complete. This may require the engaged Approved Quality Auditor to update the Commission’s system with the agreed final scope.
*Further information may include number of sites, geographic coverage of services provided, number and roles of staff, number of participants per registration group, demography of participants, types of services provided.
Registering for NDIS – NSW, SA, TAS, VIC, ACT, QLD, NT, WA
Providers wishing to register for NDIS for the first time will need to register with the NDIS Commission. Please allow a few hours to complete this registration/renewal process as you will need to confirm your business registration details, organisation structure and governance, suitability, registration groups, service delivery, complete your self-assessment and upload associated documents.
Once a provider has completed the registration application, the NDIS Commission’s system should automatically generate an initial scope of audit document. This document will usually inform the provider which quality and safeguarding pathway they are required to undergo (Certification or Verification), and can be provided to Approved Quality Auditors (certification bodies like Global-Mark) to calculate an audit plan, duration and quote for a provider, however further information* will be required from the provider to ensure all information is correct and complete. This may require the Approved Quality Auditor to update the Commission’s system with the agreed final scope.
*Further information may include number of sites, geographic coverage of services provided, number and roles of staff, number of participants per registration group, demography of participants, types of services provided.
