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Useful Links

Plan Management

NDIS

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<h1 id="Top">NDIS Overview</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="#One">What is the NDIS?</a>
<a href="#Two">Am I eligible for the NDIS?</a>
<a href="#Three">How can the NDIS benefit me?</a>
<h3 id="One">What is the NDIS?</h3>
The NDIS &#8211; National Disability Insurance Scheme, is a government initiative designed to help people get the support they need so that their skills and independence improve over time. More information can be found on this website: <a title="Link to the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis</a>
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<h3 id="Two">Am I eligible for the NDIS?</h3>
There are a few criteria that need to be met for one to be eligible for the NDIS as the scheme is specifically for Australians living with disabilities. More information can be found on this website: <a title="Link to the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible">https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible</a>
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<h3 id="Three">How can the NDIS benefit me?</h3>
The NDIS provides funding in the form of a plan that allows individuals to access the services or products they need to live a full life. The plan usually has a set amount of funding across the categories based on an individuals needs, and this can be discussed at an initial meeting or plan review meeting with a NDIS delegate.
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<h1 id="">Direct Employ Overview</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="#One">What is the Carer Solutions Direct Employ service?</a>
<a href="#Two">What is a Partner?</a>
<a href="#Three">Can Carer Solutions help me find Support Workers?</a>
<a href="#Four">Who can I hire to be a Support Worker?</a>
<a href="#Five">If I am a Support Worker, who do I work for?</a>
<a href="#Six">What type of funding do I need in order to use the Direct Employ service?</a>
<a href="#Seven">Can I use a Support Worker agency and the Direct Employ service?</a>
<a href="#Eight">Can I still use the Direct Employ Service if I only need it occasionally?</a>
<a href="#Nine">How much should I pay my Support Workers?</a>
<a href="#Ten">What happens if I run out of funding?</a>
<h3 id="One">What is the Carer Solutions Direct Employ service?</h3>
We support Partners to directly employ the Support Workers they need, know and trust. We provide a number of initial and ongoing services, including a fortnightly payroll administration service to ensure our Partners are meeting their obligations as an employer. However, we are not the legal employer of a Partner’s Support Worker(s).
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&nbsp;
<h3 id="Two">What is a Partner?</h3>
At Carer Solutions, we refer to people who use our services &#8216;clients&#8217; as Partners.
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&nbsp;
<h3 id="Three">Can Carer Solutions help me find Support Workers?</h3>
Unfortunately no. We don’t find or employ Support Workers for our Partners. Partners, or their family, using our service get the benefit of being able to select Support Workers/individuals they know and trust already. We also don’t determine what the working relationship looks like. This is for our Partners and their Support Workers to define together.
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&nbsp;
<h3 id="Four">Who can I hire to be a Support Worker?</h3>
The benefit of our service is being able to hire who you know and trust. Our Partners have employed:
<ul>
<li>Support Workers they know already</li>
<li>Neighbours</li>
<li>Friends</li>
<li>Teachers Aids</li>
<li>Even the local Cricket Coach!</li>
</ul>
Take a look at who is in your local community and network as you may already know someone who would be perfect to provide the support you would like and/or need.
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<h3 id="Five">If I am a Support Worker, who do I work for?</h3>
You are employed, and therefore work for, the individual or family seeking support (our Partners). We simply facilitate the payment of your wages; make sure the correct amount of PAYG Withholding tax is withheld and sent to the ATO; that your superannuation is sent to your nominated super fund; and work with our Partners on any other employer obligations that are required.
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<h3 id="Six">What type of funding do I need in order to use the Direct Employ service?</h3>
There are two ways to fund (pay for) our Direct Employ service:
NDIS, Plan or Self-Managed
Due to the nature of the way that the NDIS is structured, we are only able to offer our Direct Employ payroll service to Partners whose funding is NDIS Plan or Self-Managed.
Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate our Direct Employ payroll service for Partners who have all their funding NDIS Agency Managed at this time.
If you have a mixture of Plan, Self and Agency Managed funding you will be able to use the Direct Employ payroll service, give us a call to discuss further 1300 729 839.
Private or Other Funding (Home Care Packages, Disability Support for Older Australian etc)
As each situation is unique, please reach out to our team on 1300 729 839 to discuss further, so we can work with you to see how we can help.
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<h3 id="Seven">Can I use a Support Worker agency and the Direct Employ service?</h3>
Yes. We have a number of Partners that use our Direct Employ service as well as a traditional Support Worker agency.
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<h3 id="Eight">Can I still use the Direct Employ Service if I only need it occasionally?</h3>
Yes. There are no minimum hour requirements for use of our Direct Employ service. That way you know, once you are set up, the service is ready for whenever you need it. On top of that because our Direct Employ service is ‘pay as you go’, there are no monthly or annual fees, you will only pay for the service when you use it.
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<h3 id="Nine">How much should I pay my Support Workers?</h3>
As the direct employer, you and your Support Worker have the flexibility to agree on a suitable pay rate together. Carer Solutions provides you with the correct information to ensure you are meeting your employer obligations, when it comes to choosing the correct level of pay for your Support Workers.
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<h3 id="Ten">What happens if I run out of funding?</h3>
The best thing to do if you run out of funding is to contact your Local Area Coordinator or the NDIS directly. We keep all of our Partners set up and ready to use our service, so once your funding is in place, just let us know and you can continue to use the service. If you have personal finances available, you may be able to employ your Support Worker personally while organising your funding. If you would like to explore this, please give our friendly team a call on 1300 729 839.
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<h1 id="Top">Plan Management Overview</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="#One">What is Plan Management?</a>
<a href="#Two">Do I have to pay extra for Plan Management services?</a>
<a href="#Three">What support does a Plan Manager provide?</a>
<a href="#Four">What are the goals and responsibilities of a Plan Manager?</a>
<a href="#Five">Who can help you get the best out of your NDIS plan?</a>
<a href="#Six">How long does it take for an invoice to be paid through Carer Solutions personalised Plan Management service?</a>
<a href="#Seven">What information does an invoice need in order to be claimable through the NDIS?</a>
<a href="#Eight">How do I request a reimbursement?</a>
&nbsp;
<h3 id="One">What is Plan Management?</h3>
Plan management or financial intermediary is one of three ways a plan can be managed. This is a division that the NDIS have created to help individuals with an NDIS plan seamlessly connect and use their NDIS planned funding.
The 3 ways your plan can be managed are:
<ul>
<li>Self Managed &#8211; is where you manage your own NDIS funding</li>
<li>Plan Managed &#8211; is where you appoint a plan manager to manage your NDIS funding</li>
<li>Agency Managed &#8211; is where NDIS registered providers connect directly to the NDIS to claim payment for support services they provide</li>
</ul>
Plan management services allow you to use a provider that is either registered with the NDIS, or not registered with the NDIS; giving you the choice and control to utilise whatever service provider you are most comfortable with, as long as they a valid ABN.
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<h3 id="Two">Do I have to pay extra for Plan Management services?</h3>
No. Whether or not the NDIS requires your plan to be plan managed or you request that it be plan managed, the NDIS will allocate a separate set of funding for plan management service fees which are a fixed amount determined by the NDIS. 
This does not impact your funding in any way. You will still have the same amount of funding for services your chose.
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<h3 id="Three">What support does a Plan Manager provide?</h3>
The support given can be simplified into the following points:
<ul>
<li>Managing and monitoring a participant&#8217;s budget.</li>
<li>Making claims on behalf of the participant and forwarding payment to providers for goods/services delivered.</li>
<li>Providing updates to show the financial status of the participant&#8217;s NDIS plan through statements.</li>
<li>Notifying participant&#8217;s when their budget is likely to go over their allocated funding amount or is being under-utilised.</li>
<li>Assisting a participant realise increased choice and control over their plan with a wealth of experience handling NDIS rules and regulations.</li>
<li>Lend advice to the participant as to how they can best utilise their plan &#8211; offering a knowledge base to further a participant or nominee&#8217;s understanding and financial capacity.</li>
</ul>
All plan managers are registered NDIS providers &#8211; and are to adhere by and deliver upon the <a title="A link to the NDIS Code of Conduct on the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/providers/ndis-code-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Code of Conduct</a>.
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<h3 id="Four">What are the goals and responsibilities of a Plan Manager?</h3>
The goals of a Plan Manager for their participants are:
<ul>
<li>Help participants achieve their goals outlined in their NDIS plan</li>
<li>Reassure all financial interactions are impartial, adhering to the NDIS code of conduct, demonstrating honesty and integrity &#8211; enabling the participant to make informed decisions regarding their plan.</li>
<li>Ensuring a participant&#8217;s planned funding is safe and respected.</li>
<li>Informing and encouraging both participants and providers to use best practice pertaining to the NDIS and utilising their plans</li>
</ul>
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<h3 id="Five">Who can help you get the best out of your NDIS plan?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Support Coordinators: If you have funds allocated in your plan, you can engage a support coordinator who will help you find suitable supports for your needs.</li>
<li>Local Area Coordinators: (or LACs) can kick start your journey in finding supports or items, as well as help you to get certain items or supports claims approved.</li>
<li>Carer Solutions: Via our Direct Employ service you can directly employ people you already know and trust as Support Workers as an alternative to traditional agencies <a title="Link to our Direct Employ service page" href="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/nominee/">Click here</a> to find out more about this service.</li>
</ul>
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<h3 id="Six">How long does it take for an invoice to be paid through Carer Solutions personalised Plan Management service?</h3>
Invoices are normally paid within 5 business days.
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<h3 id="Seven">What information does an invoice need in order to be claimable through the NDIS?</h3>
<ul>
<li>The provider’s NDIS business name</li>
<li>The provider’s ABN</li>
<li>The participant’s full name and/or NDIS number</li>
<li>The support item number or detailed description of each service provided</li>
<li>The amount and quantity claimed for each unit of the support provided. For example, $51.09 each x 2 units (i.e. hours or items purchased)</li>
<li>The date/s the support was delivered</li>
<li>The total invoice amount</li>
<li>The GST component if applicable (most services are GST free).</li>
</ul>
Note: 
A service providers&#8217; invoice can only reflect goods or services for one participant, but can include multiple supports.
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<h3 id="Eight">How do I request a reimbursement?</h3>
Occasionally, you may purchase consumables (if they are in your Plan) or pay other providers, and this may result in you being out of pocket.
To request a reimbursement, you must;
<ul>
<li>Contact us and provide us with the bank details of the account you would like us to reimburse the funds into.</li>
<li>Provide copies of the tax receipt and/or proof of payment</li>
<li>Then email your reimbursement request to payments@carersolutions.com.au</li>
</ul>
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&nbsp;
<h1 id="Top">NDIS Plan Funding Types</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="#One">What supports are funded by the NDIS?</a>
<a href="#Two">Core Funding</a>
<a href="#Three">Capacity Building Funding</a>
<a href="#Four">Capital Funding</a> 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<h3 id="One">What supports are funded by the NDIS?</h3>
There are 3 key funding areas of Core, Capacity Building and Capital funding. Read on below for details of what each funding area covers. 
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&nbsp;
<h3 id="Two">Core Funding &#8211; for accessing Core Supports</h3>
This area of funding within a participant&#8217;s NDIS plan is specifically allocated to &#8216;Core Supports&#8217;. A core support is an activity that helps a participant with their everyday life. For example, Support Workers.
Core Supports help a participant work towards their goals outlined in their plan and grant choice and control. This budget is the most flexible, and in most cases can be used across all of the support categories (highlighting a participant&#8217;s ability to exercise choice and control).
The 4 core categories are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Daily Activities (Assistance with Daily Life) &#8211; Assistance with everyday needs, household cleaning and/or yard maintenance. For example, support work delivered by a support worker.</li>
<li>Consumables &#8211; Low cost, low risk and non-modified everyday items participants may need. For example, continence products or low-cost assistive technology and equipment to improve a participants independence and/or mobility.</li>
<li>Social, Community and Civic participation (Assistance with Social &amp; Community Participation) &#8211; This funding covers the support NDIS participants need to meet goals relating to participating in community, social or recreational activities. For example, a support worker accompanying a participant to a day program.</li>
<li>Transport &#8211; This is support that helps participants travel to work or other places that will help them pursue the goals in their plan. For example, a participant using a taxi service to travel to their supports</li>
</ul>
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&nbsp;
<h3 id="Three">Capacity Building Funding &#8211; for accessing Capacity Building Supports</h3>
An area of funding within a participants NDIS plan, Capacity Building supports are intended to build participants independence and reduce their need for the same level of support into the future.
Unlike Core Supports, Capacity Building is a static category and cannot be moved from one support category to another. 
Funding can only be used to purchase approved individual supports that fall within that Capacity Building category.
More information can be found on this website: <a title="Link to the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/managing-your-plan/support-budgets-your-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS website</a>
The 9 capacity building categories are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Support Coordination &amp; Psychosocial Recovery Coach &#8211; This is a fixed amount of funding for a Support Coordinator to help participants use their plan &#8211; usually NDIA managed.</li>
<li>CB Home Living (Improves Living Arrangements) &#8211; Support to help participants find and maintain an appropriate place to live.</li>
<li>CB Social Community and Civic Participation (Increased Social &amp; Community Participation) &#8211; Development and training to increase participants skills so they can participate in community, social and recreational activities.</li>
<li>CB Employment (Finding &amp; Keeping a Job) &#8211; Includes employment-related support, training and assessments that help participants find and keep a job. For example, the school leaver employment supports.</li>
<li>CB Relationships (Improved Relationships) &#8211; Will help participants develop positive behaviours and interactions with others.</li>
<li>CB Health and Wellbeing (Improved Health &amp; Wellbeing) &#8211; Including exercise or dietary advice to manage the impact of the participant&#8217;s disability (The NDIS does not fund gym memberships).</li>
<li>CB Lifelong Learning (Improved Learning) &#8211; Examples include training, advice and help for participants to move from school to further education, such as university or TAFE.</li>
<li>CB Choice and Control (Improved Life Choices) &#8211; Plan management to help participants manage their plan, funding and paying for services &#8211; includes a monthly a set-up fee cost built into the plan.</li>
<li>CB Daily Activity (Improved Daily Living) &#8211; most invoices from CB are claimed from this category. This is for the assessment, training or therapy to help increase a participant&#8217;s skill, independence and community participation. These services can be delivered in groups or individually.</li>
</ul>
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<h3 id="Four">Capital Funding &#8211; for accessing Capital Supports</h3>
Capital Supports are an area of funding within a participants NDIS plan, includes higher-cost pieces of assistive technology, equipment (under Assistive Technology category) and home or vehicle modifications and Specialist Disability Accommodation (under Home Modification Category). Capital supports funding cannot be used to pay for anything else.
In most cases these support items are to be approved by the NDIS prior to processing for payment.
<ul>
<li>Assistive Technology &#8211; This budget has been put in place by the NDIS to help participants purchase items they need to do something that their disability does not allow them to do. This may come in the form of a low-risk or high-risk AT; ranging from items such as a car seat to a motorised wheelchair 
<a title="Link to the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology-explained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about this on the NDIS website</a></li>
<li>Home Modifications &#8211; Home modifications are safety, accessibility, or comfortability alterations to a participant’s home. These can be considered prior to a plan’s review/start by a qualified surveyor, occupational therapist or NDIS delegate. These modifications may include the installation of a ramp or a bathroom renovation to suit one’s disability. 
<a title="Link to the NDIS website" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/home-modifications-explained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about this on the NDIS website</a></li>
</ul>
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<h1 id="Top">Useful Documents, Websites &amp; Links</h1>
&nbsp;
<a href="#One">Useful Documents</a>
<a href="#Two">Useful Websites &amp; Links</a>
&nbsp;
<h2 id="One">Useful Documents</h2>
<a href="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2023/06/CS-PaySchedule-July-Dec-2023.pdf">Carer Solutions Pay Schedule July &#8211; Dec 2023 &#8211; PDF</a>
<a title="Carer Solutions Incident Management Policy - PDF" href="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/CS-Incident-Management-Policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carer Solutions Incident Management Policy &#8211; PDF</a>
<a title="Carer Solutions Feedback and Complaints Policy - PDF" href="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/CS-Feedback-and-Complaints-Policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carer Solutions Feedback and Complaints Policy &#8211; PDF</a>
<a title="Carer Solutions website Terms and Conditions - Link" href="https://carersolutions.com.au/terms-conditions">Carer Solutions website Terms and Conditions &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="NDIS Booklet: Understanding the NDIS - Easy Read PDF" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/125/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Booklet: Understanding the NDIS &#8211; Easy Read PDF</a>
<a title="NDIS Booklet:Planning - Easy Read PDF" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/335/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Booklet:Planning &#8211; Easy Read PDF</a>
<a title="NDIS Booklet: Using you NDIS plan - Easy Read PDF" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/338/download" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Booklet: Using you NDIS plan &#8211; Easy Read PDF</a>
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&nbsp;
<h2 id="Two">Useful Websites &amp; Links</h2>
<a title="NDIS Website - Link" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Website &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - Link" href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="NDIS Code of Conduct (NDIS Providers) - Link" href="https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/providers/ndis-code-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS Code of Conduct (NDIS Providers) &#8211; Link</a>
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<h1 id="Top">COVID-19 News &amp; Useful Links</h1>
&nbsp;
<a title="NDIS COVID-19 Latest News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/latest-advice-ndis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NDIS COVID-19 Latest News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Department of Health COVID-19 Latest News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-disability-insurance-agency-ndia-contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Health COVID-19 Latest News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Victorian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victorian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Tasmanian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tasmanian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Western Australian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western Australian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="South Australia Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Australia Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="New South Wales Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/covid-19/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New South Wales Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Queensland Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="Northern Territory Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northern Territory Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>
<a title="ACT Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates - Link" href="https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACT Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) News &amp; Updates &#8211; Link</a>

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