Guide for NDIS Participants on the New NDIS Computer System
After extensive consultations with NDIS participants, providers, and partners, the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) announced in 2022 the development of a new computer system named PACE. You can also read the official news here.
Recognising the need for an upgrade to their existing participant records system introduced in 2016, the Agency embarked on building a more user-friendly platform. The ultimate aim is to foster better collaboration between participants, providers, and the NDIA, resulting in improved support for participants and their families.
We are already assisting clients who are utilising the new PACE system, so Trusted Care & Support Services is fully prepared to support you!
Are all NDIS participants transitioning to PACE immediately?
The transition will not occur all at once.
Current participants with plans expiring between November 2023 and February 2024 will move to PACE when:
- They require a new plan that differs from their current one, or
- They request changes to their plan that necessitate a plan reassessment.
Participants with plans that adequately meet their needs and provide appropriate support may be offered the option to continue using the existing system for their plan.
Starting from the end of February 2024, all expiring NDIS plans will gradually shift to PACE.
Rest assured that the NDIA will keep you informed, and Trusted Care & Support Services will continue to be your reliable partner throughout this transition.
So, what’s changing? It’s important to note that PACE does NOT alter the fundamental rules or functioning of the NDIS.
However, the new system introduces changes pertaining to the grouping of support items:
Support Types – Support Types represent the highest level grouping of items, and the NDIA is moving from 3 to 4 support types:
- Core
- Capacity Building
- Capital
- Recurring – NEW!
Support Categories – There are now 21 support categories, up from the previous 15.
To enhance clarity, some existing categories have been divided into new, more understandable categories. Among the 6 new support categories are:
- Home and Living – under the Core Support Type
- Behaviour Support – Capacity Building
- Assistive Technology Repairs and Rental – Capital
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) – Capital
- Transport Recurring – Recurring
- Young People Living in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) – Cross Billing – Core
What is Assistive Technology Repairs and Rental?
This is a novel support category covering assistive technology repairs, rental, and maintenance. This category may include funds for:
- Minor repairs and maintenance (up to $1,500)
- Major repairs (may require a quote)
- Short-term or major rental
- Minor or extended equipment trials
What is Transport Recurring?
Transport Recurring is a fresh support category for participants receiving transport funding (more details can be found in our previous post). If you are not eligible for this funding, you will have a zero-dollar allocation for this category.
What is YPIRAC?
YPIRAC stands for Young People Living in Residential Aged Care facilities, and they may be eligible for NDIS support.
The YPIRAC – Cross Billing support category has been introduced to allocate funding in plans for residential aged care subsidies and supplements.
Will I retain flexibility with my plan funding?
With PACE, you will enjoy more flexibility.
NDIS plan funding will now be structured at the support category level. This means that budgets will be provided as a total dollar figure for each support category, rather than itemized line-by-line costs. This grants you greater control over how you utilize your overall budget.
There are two types of budgets:
- Flexible budgets: These allow flexibility within and across the flexible support categories, aligning with your plan management.
- Stated budgets: These provide flexibility only within the specific support category.
The 4 support categories with flexible budgets are:
- Assistance with Daily Life – under Core
- Transport – Core
- Consumables – Core
- Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation – Core
The remaining 17 support categories have budgets listed as stated.
Can I still choose my own providers? Absolutely! As an NDIS participant, you have the autonomy to make decisions regarding your care.
When transitioning to PACE, you will need to record your providers – referred to as “my providers” in PACE, previously known as “participant-endorsed providers” – to inform the NDIA about the providers authorized to receive payments from your plan funding.
Recording your providers is necessary when you have:
- Agency-managed supports
- Specialist disability accommodation, home, and living supports, and/or behavior supports
- A plan manager
For self-managed participants, recording providers for your plan is optional. If you self-manage your plan, you are responsible for paying your supports and maintaining invoices and bank statements for five years.
Can Trusted Care & Support Services or any other provider record themselves as my provider?
Providers, including Trusted Care & Support Services, cannot record themselves as your provider on your behalf.
We can send a request to support you through the provider portal, but this request will be forwarded to your NDIS contact, who will then reach out to you to confirm if you wish to accept the request.
For participants with support coordination and/or recovery coach services in their plan, the NDIA can assist by sending a request for service to your chosen provider. This applies even if you intend to continue working with the same provider, such as your support coordinator from Trusted Care & Support Services.
You have the flexibility to make changes to your list of providers at any time.
What happens if my provider is not recorded?
The NDIA will automatically reject claims from providers for specialist disability accommodation, home and living supports, and behavior supports that are not recorded.
If a claim is submitted by any other provider not on your record, the NDIA will initially contact you via SMS. You will then need to call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 within 6 days of receiving the SMS. The NDIA will explain the service in question and validate the claim with you.
To streamline the process and avoid additional administrative steps, it is advisable to record your providers.
We will continue to keep you updated as the PACE rollout progresses.
At Trusted Care & Support Services, we stay informed about all NDIS developments! If you require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts to begin services with us. Our carers and support workers offer a wide range of support, from daily personal care to 24/7 assistance at our Supported Independent Living homes. Additionally, our Support Coordination and Plan Management teams can help you prepare for your NDIS