Are NDIS Service Agreements Mandatory?
NDIS Service Agreements: What are they? Are they Mandatory?
What is a service agreement?
NDIS Service Agreements are contracts made between service providers and participants. Often service agreements contain information, obligation, conditions and pricing about the service being provided.
Whether the service is plan management or respite accomodation, it is important that the participant and provider understand clearly the conditions involved with service agreements. This is why it is also important to have a dispute resolution process in the agreement if there are any issues thay may arise.
To answer the question are NDIS Service Agreements Mandatory?
Yes for participants who are with NDIS registered providers. NDIS registered providers must provide a service agreement. For the participant there are many aspects of a service that are worth including such as how the service agreement may change, how long the service agreement lasts for etc.
However for participants who are with self managed or plan managed, and are choosing non NDIS registered service providers it isn’t mandatory. Despite this, they are still highly recommended by the NDIA.
What does a service agreement look like?
In fact according to the NDIS, a written service agreement is necessary for Specialist Disability Accomodation. The NDIS has a service agreement template available for providers and participants
What if I have a problem with a service agreement?
The service agreement should include the contact details – name, phone number and email if there is an issue. Otherwise you can contact the NDIA directly.
NDIS has a helpful list of things to consider when including in a service agreement so that you can save time and handle any issues that may arise effectively.
For an extremely detailed article on service agreements you can read more on Team DSC.
Are service agreements legally binding?
According to Lawpath a service agreement is a less formal contract however it is enforceable by law if not performed as promised. Service agreements are covered by Australian Consumer Law.
Service agreements vs service bookings?
Service bookings are used to allocate funding for a NDIS registered provider for the service they are providing.
Service bookings will be shown in the myplace portal – detailing information about the type of service/support provided, the length of time it’s needed, and the funding required to pay the service/support. If you are self managed, you don’t need to use service bookings because you pay providers directly.
