Improving integrity and preventing fraud
NDIS participants deserve to be supported by providers who are ethical, honest and are fully compliant with Australian laws.
All providers need to act with integrity. We know that most providers are committed to their participants and the NDIS, are doing the right thing and are delivering high quality supports.
Provider compliance responsibilities
Providers who deliver supports and services under the NDIS must operate and comply with relevant Australian laws and rules and regulations.
Providers must also comply with NDIA legislation, rules and regulations including:
- The NDIS Code of Conduct
- NDIS Legislation, rules and regulations
- The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework.
- worker screening requirements.
- the rules in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Pricing Limits and previous NDIS Price Guides.
Not following the NDIS rules and regulations is non-compliance.
Non-compliance can range from a simple mistake to dishonest behaviours and fraud.
NDIS providers must make sure they:
- make claims for payments that are correct and truthful
- only provide and charge for NDIS supports in line with a participant’s plan
- identify, declare and manage any conflict of interest. This includes disclosing this information to the participant
- behave fairly and ethically in financial dealings
- do not purposely mislead anyone in order to gain a financial or other advantage
- do not try to convince a public officer to act unethically
- report and self-correct if they become aware they are non-compliant.
Helping providers do the right thing
We want to make sure that providers know what is expected of them when working with participants and using NDIS funds.
We have a range of resources to help providers be compliant and do the right thing, such as:
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has information on their website to help providers do the right thing including NDIS Practice Standards and the NDIS Code of Conduct .
We also provide updates about our provider compliance activity in our Latest news section.
If you receive a provider compliance letter you can contact us for further information on 1800 800 110.
Providers and fraud in the NDIS
Fraud is a crime
It requires intent. It is more than carelessness or making a mistake.
Fraud against the NDIS is a threat to participant safety and wellbeing. The NDIA has zero tolerance for fraud against the NDIS and its participants.
We all have a role to play in safeguarding participants, their plans and the NDIS from fraudsters.
When providers commit fraud, it hurts and costs everyone
It means participants are not getting supports or services that they need. Fraud puts participant safety at risk and adds pressure on carers, family, friends and support networks.
Fraud also impacts providers
Fraud can impact providers by:
- damage to reputation and loss of income.
- de-registration, suspension or banning from the NDIS.
- loss of resources.
- decline in staff morale.
There are consequences for committing fraud
Most providers are doing the right thing. We provide education and support to make it easier to get it right.
If providers or their employees are caught doing the wrong thing on purpose there will be serious consequences. This may include being banned from providing supports and services for NDIS participants or jail time for stealing money from NDIS participant plans.
If you think a provider or provider employee is doing the wrong thing with NDIS funds, engaging in non-compliant or fraudulent behaviour, report it.