22 August 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions - Disability Accommodation Services

There are new Directions in place in Queensland for all disability accommodation services.

Key points 

• The new guidance has been issued by the Queensland Chief Medical Officer for all Queensland disability accommodation services.
• There are also strict restrictions applying to shared disability accommodation services with four or more residents with disability from 8 am Saturday 22 August 2020 in the Greater Brisbane area (see full list below).
• The NDIS Commission will issue further directions and guidance to Queensland providers as the situation unfolds, in consultation with Queensland authorities.

New Queensland Public Health Directions

There are a number of changes to the Queensland Public Health Directions due to increased community transmission in Greater Brisbane. This includes specific Directions for disability accommodation services with four or more residents. Registered NDIS providers are required to comply with all applicable laws in the state they operate in, this includes Public Health Directions.

General guidance to all shared disability accommodation providers in Queensland

The Queensland Chief Health Officer has issued guidance that all operators of shared disability accommodation services across the whole of Queensland to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. This guidance sets out physical distancing and risk mitigation measures to the extent practicable.

Restrictions apply in specific local government areas in the Greater Brisbane area:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Logan City
• Redland City
• Scenic Rim Region
• Somerset Region
• Lockyer Valley Region
• Moreton Bay Region.

The Queensland Public Health Direction – Disability Accommodation Services applied from 8am 22 August 2020. This Direction includes restrictions on visitors and other people entering a disability accommodation service, and requirements for the use of PPE.

The full Direction can be viewed on Queensland Heath's website. 

Outbreak Planning and Preparedness

It is vital to plan how you would deal with a situation in which the NDIS participants you support and/or your workers were infected. You should ensure your workers have:

• Completed the Worker Orientation Module, which explains the obligations of workers under the NDIS Code of Conduct.
• Completed Department of Health infection control training
• Watched this video on the use of PPE from the Department of Health.

Our information pack for providers and workers brings together the guidance and advice we have issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform, educate and remind NDIS providers of the support available to help them meet their obligations to NDIS participants. This includes the use of PPE and planning for outbreaks. 

Accessing PPE

The Queensland Directions require that anyone entering and remaining in a disability accommodation service, other than a resident, must wear a single use surgical face mask at all times. This includes workers, contractors and volunteers. If a person is unable to wear a face mask they must not enter the residence.

Providers that are now required to use PPE can now directly claim the cost of PPE from the NDIA.

Registered Queensland providers will receive an email from the NDIA with detailed instructions for lodging PPE invoices through the provider portal. You will receive this email in the coming days.

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 

• 14 August 2020: Planning resource for people with disability
• 17 July 2020: New guidance on PPE use by disability workers in Victorian COVID-19 hotspots
• 13 July 2020: Reminder of COVID-19 reporting obligations
• 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
• 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