Version 5.3 June 2025
Preamble
BigDog Support Services Pty Ltd and Scottvale Health Club Group (BigDog) will always respect the fundamental rights of individuals to live within their communities of choice and the accommodation that is the most appropriate for their needs, lifestyles and resources. BigDog recognises the right of individuals to choose to live in accommodation that may not be deemed as average by the community at large, but is reflective of their individual cultural, ethnic or religious affiliations. BigDog will respect the rights of all stakeholders when developing accommodation options to meet the needs of those individuals supported.
NDIS Policies
10.1
Registered Provider
Registered NDIS providers must: comply with the conditions of registration stated on your certificate of registration demonstrate compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards for your relevant registration groups (which are determined by the types of services and supports your deliver), including through a quality audit comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct in your organisation and support employees to meet its requirements. have an in-house complaints management and resolution system to record and manage any complaints you receive, and support NDIS participants or other relevant concerned parties to make a complaint have an in-house incident management system, and notify the NDIS Commission should a reportable incident occur (including alleged reportable incidents) fulfil worker screening requirements and ensure all workers have been screened. if applicable, meet the behaviour support requirements, including reporting the use of restrictive practices to the NDIS Commission.
10.2 NDIS Practice Standards
The NDIS Practice Standards specify the quality standards to be met by registered NDIS providers to provide supports and services to NDIS participants. Together with the NDIS Code of Conduct, the NDIS Practice Standards build NDIS participants’ awareness of what quality service provision they should expect from registered NDIS providers.
10.3 Travel and Transport
Participants will generally be able to access funding through the NDIS for transport assistance if they cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty due to their disability. Funding considers any relevant taxi subsidy scheme, and it does not cover transport assistance for carers to transport their family member with a disability for everyday commitments.
If the NDIS plan includes funding for transport supports this funding may be used to meet BigDog transport charges, otherwise it will be charged as an out-of-pocket expense to the participant.
10.4 Cancellations
BigDog understands and respects the right of participants to cancel services from time to time. We understand and respect that life situations and circumstances can change at any time and without any prior notice.
BigDog is legally bound and required, under Industrial Legislation and Law to pay its workers if we are not given reasonable or prior notice.
Short Notice Cancellations
Where a provider has a Short Notice Cancellation (or no show), they are able to claim 100% of the agreed fee associated with the activity from the participant’s plan, subject to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and the terms of the service agreement with the participant.
A cancellation is a short notice cancellation if the participant: Does not show up for a scheduled support within a reasonable time, or is not present at the agreed place and within a reasonable time when the provider is travelling to deliver the support; or Has given less than seven (7) clear days’ notice for a support.
10.5 Short-Term Accommodation
Short Term Accommodation, including respite, is funding for support and accommodation for a short time away from a participant’s usual home. It covers the cost of their care in another place for up to 14 days at a time. The participant might have a short stay with other people, or alone. It’s often funded when the usual carers aren’t available, or for the participant to try new things.
10.6 Supported Independent Living
BigDog will meet the legislative requirements of the state or territory where accommodation is provided by BigDog. Accommodation is not and should not be considered as core business of BigDog but will be an adjunct to the support services offered. It is the philosophy of BigDog to assist individuals to work toward the most independent accommodation type possible to meet their individual needs.
10.7
Yard Maintenance
Our yard maintenance work is undertaken by a Yard Team of two. A team leader is assigned to your home and BigDog will make every effort to maintain the same team leader.
Lawn maintenance times are scheduled in an order that requires the least amount of drive time for each team. BigDog will make every effort to accommodate your requested time however these times are not guaranteed.
10.8 House Cleaning
Our cleaners work in teams of two or more depending on the size of the job. Cleaning jobs are scheduled in an order that requires the least amount of drive time for each team. BigDog will make every effort to accommodate your requested time however these times are not guaranteed.
10.9 Group-Based Supports
When a support item is delivered to more than one participant at the same time (a group of participants) then the price limit for each participant is the applicable price limit set out in the relevant support table divided by the number of participants in the group. BigDog provides support at a 3 participants to 1 support worker unless the participant is specifically funded for a 1 to 1 support arrangement.
Centre Capital Costs
BigDog can claim an additional amount for the costs of running and maintaining a facility (Centre) through the relevant Centre Capital Cost support item when a support item (“the primary support”) in the Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation Support Category is delivered in the facility
10.10 NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Commission works with participants and providers to improve the quality and safety of NDIS services and supports.
10.11 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
This document sets out the general pricing arrangements that apply to all supports in the NDIS and the specific arrangements that apply to individual supports.
Establishment Fees
These support items are claimable by BigDog when we assist a participant with the implementation of their NDIS Plan, and we have a Service Calculator with the participant to supply a minimum of 20 hours per month for three or more consecutive months.
Supporting Documents
Policy
3.3 Service Agreements
10.1 Registration
10.2 NDIS Practice Standards
10.3 Travel and Transport
10.4 Cancellations
10.5 Short-Term Accommodation
10.6 Supported Independent Living
10.7 Yard Maintenance
10.8 House Cleaning
10.9 Group-Based Supports
10.10 NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
10.11 Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
Documents
Conflict of Interest Service Access and Exit
Forms
NDIS Service Agreement
NDIS Service Agreement SIL
NDIS Service Amendment
NDIS Supports Cost and Service Booking Calculator
SIL Quoting Tool
Information Sheets
Residential Tenancies Authority
Training
NGO NDIS Code of Conduct
NGO NDIS Employee Health Check
NGO NDIS Foundations
NGO NDIS Manager Health Check
Legislation
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cwth)
NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Amendment Rules 2021
NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators
BigDog Support Services Pty Ltd (BigDog) is a registered NDIS provider and is required to apply the scheme’s practice standard and quality indicators.
The standards have been developed to create an important benchmark to assess provider performance and ensure that high quality and safe supports and services are provided to NDIS participants.
The four core modules are:
1.0 Rights and Responsibilities;
2.0 Governance and Operational Management;
3.0 The Provision of Supports; and
4.0 The Support Provision Environment.
Delegation of Authority
Name Position Details
Courtney Carroll Director Authorise review and implementation
Ann Paull Secretary Company Secretary
Peter McGrath Operations Manager Ensure information dissemination
Monique Paull HR Lawyer Ensure compliance by workers
Summary
All the above requirements need to be considered in the determination of appropriate accommodation of any individual and or an accommodation option for BigDog to enter into as an option for individuals supported. Formulation of accommodation plans will require consideration to the organisational policy and service direction.
Version Details
This policy will be reviewed every twelve (12) months unless circumstances deem it necessary to review earlier. The review process will involve an analysis of the usefulness of the policy and to note any changes which are required to improve the policy.
If minor changes are made in wording or to clarify the intent, the version number will indicate this by adding a ‘point’ i.e. Version 1.0 indicates the original version and 1.1 with the first round of minor changes made. A significant change or intent of the policy will be indicated by a whole new number i.e. Version 2.0.
The following rules also apply in interpreting this policy:
• Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
• A singular word includes the plural and vice versa.
• A word that suggests one gender includes the other genders.
July 2017 3.1 New Policy
January 2019 4.0
January 2021 4.1
January 2022 5.0
January 2023 5.1
January 2024 5.2
June 2025 5.3
Updated to new logo and formatting. Included Operations Manager Removed Procedure from title. Updated HSQF policies and documents. Included cover page and contents
Updated Responsible Officers details. Changed ‘director’ to ‘directors’.
Introduction of BigDog Training Portal and modules
Updated Responsible Officers details, NDIS colour code. NDIS Practice Standards November 2021 Version 4
NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Amendment Rules 2021
Updated Responsible Officers details
Scottvale Health Club included in policy Steven Paull has retired, responsible officers updated