13 July 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Reminder of COVID-19 reporting obligations

This alert is a reminder to notify the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) about certain changes and events, and the guidance available to help you minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Key points

• You must continue to notify us of any event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration.
• You do not need to advise us when you recommence services in line with the lifting of state and territory health directions.
• Our resources provide guidance on continuing to implement infection prevention and control practices and reviewing pandemic and business continuity plans to prepare for a potential outbreak.
• Stay up-to-date with current local arrangements and health advice by visiting your state or territory’s COVID-19 information website.

Notifying the NDIS Commission of changes 

On 24 March 2020, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner wrote to all registered providers to remind you that it is a condition of registration with the NDIS Commission that you notify us of changes or events that adversely affect your ability to deliver supports and services to NDIS participants. This information is vital to ensure we understand what is happening across the country and can continue to respond and support providers where possible.

With the current lockdowns and border restrictions in some states and territories, you must continue to notify us of any event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration. If the event is related to COVID-19, use the Notification of event – COVID-19 (registered provider) form.

Examples of events you should notify us about may include:

• a worker or participant’s confirmed COVID-19 infection
• where border closures or other restrictions in your state or territory  may affect your ability to access participants or provide supports and services
• changes to your available workforce due to border closures or other state or territory restrictions
• the temporary or permanent cessation of supports or services as a result of border closures or other restrictions in your state or territory
• where you previously submitted a notification relating to changes in supports, have since recommenced and are now again making changes to supports due to new restrictions.

If the event is not related to COVID-19, you should use the NDIS Commission Portal to notify us. Visit our website for examples of events not related to COVID-19 that you should notify us about. We may follow up with you by phone or email for more detail around impacts of service changes to your participants and workers.

Recommencing services to NDIS participants

Some states and territories are easing restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note you do not need to submit a notification form to advise us when you recommence services in line with the lifting of state and territory health directions.

Minimising the risk of transmission

With the ongoing risk of COVID-19 outbreaks, it is vital that you and your workers continue to be vigilant about maintaining sound infection prevention and control practices to minimise the risk of infection and transmission.

We have developed resources, including a fact sheet on outbreak preparedness, prevention and management factsheet and the COVID-19 information pack for NDIS providers and workers, which contain guidance on how you can continue to support NDIS participants while keeping them and your workers safe.

Stay updated with current COVID-19 information

For the latest health advice and arrangements in your location, visit your state or territory government’s COVID-19 information webpage:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia.

You can also visit the COVID-19 Restriction Checker, an Australian Government initiative that sets out the current restrictions on gatherings, activities and businesses in each state and territory.

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.

Contact Us

• Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
• Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au
• Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Links to previous COVID-19 provider alerts 

•  7 July 2020: Guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability support workers
• 27 May 2020: Guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health
• 13 May 2020: Guidance on preventing, preparing for and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak
• 7 May 2020: Advice for people with disability
• 30 April 2020: Changes to student visa work conditions for workers of registered NDIS providers
• 28 April 2020: FAQs for all stakeholders and information for NDIS participants
• 20 April 2020: Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
• 9 April 2020: Further assistance for organisations, people and households
• 9 April 2020: April 2020 Provider Newsletter (COVID-19)
• 3 April 2020: Adjusting supports and reducing infection risk
• 2 April 2020:  Practice Alert: Influenza (flu) vaccine from mid-April 2020
• 31 March 2020: Supporting providers to respond
• 26 March 2020: Assistance for organisations
• 24 March 2020: Information for support workers and access to PPE
• 19 March 2020: Business continuity planning
• 17 March 2020: Online training module for support workers
• 9 March 2020: Provider obligations and COVID-19 health information
• 7 February 2020: Information about the novel coronavirus outbreak