No images? Click here 25 February 2022 NT and WA Emergency response planning and executionKey points
Stay up to date with emergency warningsVisit your local emergency services website for the latest information about emergencies in your area: Local authorities also have information about preparing a natural disaster plan. Emergency and disaster preparednessWith a cyclone warning issued in Northern Territory and Western Australia, this is a reminder to have in place disaster preparedness and planning measures that will ensure your organisation can continue to provide supports before, during and after any emergency. Refer to our business continuity planning provider alert that sets out our recommendations for business continuity planning. In particular, you should:
Test your plans regularly, and ensure all staff understand what they would need to do in case of an emergency. In November 2021, the NDIS Commission introduced new NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators for Emergency and Disaster Management, providing further guidance for providers. The new standards address the planning required by providers to prepare, prevent, manage and respond to emergency and disaster situations whilst mitigating risks to and ensuring continuity of supports that are critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants. These new requirements came into effect for registered providers on 24 January 2022. You can read more information about the new Practice Standards and Quality Indicators on our website. Know the NDIS participants you supportIt is vital that you understand the specific needs of the NDIS participants you support. For example, ensure your participant records are up-to-date and accessible, and that their support needs and preferences are documented clearly and can continue to be met should your services be disrupted. This may include documenting their preferred means of communication, specific needs and preferences, health care plans, personal emergency plans, behaviour support plans, other providers, and their representatives. Always use their preferred means of communication to explain any impact the emergency may have on the people you support. Notify the NDIS Commission of any changesRegistered NDIS providers must notify the NDIS Commission of certain changes and events, especially those that affect your ability to deliver the supports and services you are registered to provide. Use the NDIS Commission Portal to notify us of any changes or events that are not due to COVID-19 (such as, for example, the evacuation of your premises due to the cyclone). If the changes are due to COVID-19, please use the Notification of event form – COVID-19 (registered providers). General Enquiries1800 035 544 (free call from landlines) Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. To provide feedback, contact the NDIS Commission by emailing |