Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO5182

A consumer technical expert (CTE) is defined in the NDIS (Approved Quality Auditor Scheme) Guidelines 2018 (the Guidelines) as, ‘a person with disability who has the training, experience and skills to be involved in the audit team’. The Guidelines are underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which is intended to uphold the rights of people with disability. To support this, the Guidelines make consumer technical experts (CTEs), or people with disability, part of the audit process as members of an AQA audit team.

The NDIS Commission is focusing efforts to grow a suitably trained and skilled CTE workforce, delivering on the commitment to routinely include CTEs in AQA audit teams. This in turn will drive improvements in quality, safety, and innovation in the provision of NDIS services and supports to NDIS participants. In particular, the NDIS Commission is interested in approaches that develop the capacity of people with disability to undertake CTE roles on audit teams of AQAs in accordance with the Guidelines, for the purposes of the Rules.

The intent of this grant is to further this purpose by seeding the establishment of a skilled pool of CTEs representatives of the NDIS population. It is proposed that the CTE pool can then be drawn upon on an as-needed basis by AQAs as a usual part of composing audit teams to undertake a NDIS audit process. The CTE model will be co-designed with people with disability and based on best evidence and practice.

This grant opportunity is only open to organisations that meet the following eligibility criteria.

• demonstrated understanding of the NDIS audit program and experience in delivering quality audit services as an approved quality auditor within the NDIS
• demonstrated engagement with (a) disability representative organisation(s) with experience and expertise in designing and delivering appropriate resources and training material to support people with disability to provide technical expertise for the length of the project
• ability to tailor approaches to engaging, supporting, and training, people with disability as CTEs given their diverse communication and other requirements
• ability to tailor approaches to engaging, supporting, and training, people with disability as CTEs in metropolitan, rural, and remote locations
• ability to deliver the model, provide resources, training materials, and supports to CTEs in all states and territories of Australia
• ability to engage with Approved Quality Auditors throughout the project for project updates and input to project refinement
• demonstrated understanding and/or participation in the evolution of the NDIS sector, and quality and safeguards for the disability sector.

In addition, your organisation is required to satisfy the following requirements to be eligible to apply for this grant opportunity:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the purposes of GST if the company income turnover, as a result of a successful grant, will exceed the thresholds defined by the Australia Tax Office
• have an account with an Australian financial institution
• have Public Liability Insurance coverage of $5million or more as well as all other insurances required by law for the duration of the project.

The Grant Opportunity 5182 document also provides a list of specific ineligibilities.

The maximum grant period is 36 months. Grant activities are expected to commence by execution of the deed of grant and must conclude no later than 30 December 2025. Final reporting (excluding any required acquittal reports) must be completed by this date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Following the grant period, an evaluation period of the program may commence. We may contact you up to two years after you finish your project for more information to help with this evaluation.

$4,000,000.00

Before applying, you must read and understand the guidelines, the application form and the sample grant agreement. Ensure you are familiar with Conflict of Interest Declarations, Probity and the Intent of the Grants.

These documents may be found at GrantConnect. Any alterations will be published on GrantConnect and by registering on this website, you will be automatically notified of any changes.

To apply you must:

•  complete the online grant opportunity application form available on GrantConnect
• provide all the information requested
• address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria
• include all necessary attachments

If you have any difficulties accessing the form please contact: Grants@ndiscommission.gov.au

The NDIS Commission will not provide hardcopy application forms or accept applications for this grant opportunity by fax or mail. If an application is sent by fax or mail, it will not be assessed.

If you find an error in your application after submitting it, you should contact us immediately on Grants@ndiscommission.gov.au. We do not have to accept any additional information, nor requests from you to correct your application after the closing time.

You cannot change your application after the closing date and time. 

If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you that will not change the nature of your application. However, we can refuse to accept any additional information from you that would change your submission after the application closing time. 

Keep a copy of your application and supporting documents. 

We will acknowledge that we have received your application within three working days.

If you need further guidance contact us at Grants@ndiscommission.gov.au.