18 December 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Emergency planning over the festive season

This alert thanks providers for their efforts this year and reminds them of the need to plan and prepare for a COVID-safe holiday season.

Key points

• ​We would like to acknowledge the work of the disability sector in continuing to provide safe and quality supports during this challenging time.  
• As we approach the holiday season, it is vital that you have undertaken detailed planning for a potential COVID-19 outbreak and that you are well prepared.
• Providers should make sure that relevant public health guidelines are continued to be followed during this time when delivering NDIS supports and services 

Acknowledgement to providers

The NDIS Commission wishes all NDIS providers and participants a safe and happy holiday season and offers thanks to NDIS providers for their ongoing work to keep the NDIS participants they support safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Planning and preparedness over the holiday period 

At the time of writing, most states and territories in Australia are easing restrictions.
As we have seen in Victoria and more recently in South Australia the situation can change quickly, with rapid implementation of public health restrictions by state governments in response to COVID-19 outbreaks.

It remains crucial to stay aware of local public health guidelines and celebrate this time in a manner that considers the continued risks of COVID-19 in the community. 

This might include considerations such as:

• Ensuring that emergency contacts are kept up-to-date, and emergency plans consider public holiday closures of some businesses and services
• Rostering of workers over this period takes into account responsibilities for an emergency outbreak response if required
• Mechanisms for keeping informed of changes to local outbreaks and hotspots and adjusting risk assessments accordingly 
• If you are holding an event, capacity of the venue and whether people can socially distance as appropriate 
• Whether the event is held indoors or outdoors and has adequate ventilation
• How food is served to minimise sharing of plates and implements 
• Increased environmental cleaning during and after events.

Notification of changes or events 

You must notify the NDIS Commission of any change or event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration. Please use the COVID-19 notification of events form available on our website to report these changes. This enables us to monitor changes in the NDIS market and to connect you with any supports you might need.

Your requirements to notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018 are separate from the COVID-19 notification of changes or events and remain unchanged.  

Please continue to monitor the NDIS Commission website for updates and read all of our Provider Alerts as well as relevant state and territory government websites. You can find previous alerts and general support materials on our website.

State and Territory Government websites 

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

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 9am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in all other states and territories Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au