Navigating the New NDIS Landscape: Staggered Budgets and the Power of Service Agreements

Early Intervention
Aug 4
4 min read

As a parent of a child applying for, or receiving, NDIS funding for Early Intervention, you're already a superhero, navigating a world of appointments, therapies, and planning. At Early Intervention Australia, we're your partners in this journey, and we want to keep you informed about recent changes in how NDIS funds are managed, which might affect your child's plan.

You may have just received a plan or noticed a shift in how the funds within your child's NDIS plan are made available. While your child's plan itself will likely still run for a full year, the NDIS is now releasing the approved funding in smaller, regular amounts, for example, every three months.

This is a significant change, and we understand it might raise some questions. But don't worry, we're here to break down what these changes mean and how a simple tool – the Service Agreement – has become more vital than ever for ensuring a smooth and predictable therapy journey for your child.

Understanding Staggered Funding: What’s Changing with Your Budget?

The biggest change is the move from having your child's entire annual funding available on day one, to a system of staggered budget releases.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:

Your Plan is Still Annual: In most cases, your child's NDIS plan will still cover a 12-month period.

Funds are Released in Instalments: The total approved funding for that year is made available in equal, periodic amounts (e.g., every one or three months).

Unspent Funds Roll Over (Within the Plan): This is a key detail. Any funds you don't use in one period will automatically roll over to the next period within your current plan. This gives you the flexibility to manage spending across the year.

The End-of-Plan Rule: The only exception for rollovers is at your plan's end date. Any unused funds will not carry over into your next new plan.

The NDIS has made this change to help participants manage their budgets more effectively throughout the year. However, it also highlights the need for careful planning to ensure your child’s therapy begins, and continues, without interruption. This is where a Service Agreement becomes your most valuable tool.

The Service Agreement: Your Key to a Strong Partnership

Think of a Service Agreement as a roadmap for your child's therapy. It's a clear, written agreement between you and your provider (that's us!) that outlines the specifics of the services your child will receive. In this new world of staggered NDIS funding, a Service Agreement is essential.

Here's why a Service Agreement is a win-win for both you and your provider:

For You, the Parent:

Clarity and Peace of Mind: A Service Agreement details the "who, what, when, where, and how much" of your child's therapy. You'll have a clear understanding of the services to be delivered, the cost, and the schedule. This means no surprises and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child's therapy is secured.

Budget Confidence: With a clear agreement in place, you can confidently manage your child's NDIS budget. You'll know exactly how much funding is allocated to each therapy programme, making it easier to track your spending and ensure funds last for the entire plan duration.

Continuity of Care: A Service Agreement helps to ensure that your child can continue with their trusted therapist without interruption. By agreeing to a schedule of services, you are reserving that time with your provider, creating consistency and stability for your child.

Knowing the 'Unknown': It may not be possible to predict the frequency of therapy right at the start. The Service Agreement details a minimum anticipated service frequency e.g. Fortnightly. It also details the methods by which a provider may communicate changes to the Service Agreement and how you can discuss/vary/confirm these changes.

For Us, Your Provider (Early Intervention Australia):

Ensuring Consistent Support: Our primary goal is to provide consistent, high-quality therapy for your child. A Service Agreement allows us to organise our resources effectively and dedicate the necessary time and expertise to your child's progress.

A Foundation of Trust: It formalises our commitment to you and your child, creating a transparent and trusting relationship. We believe that a strong partnership is the key to achieving the best possible outcomes for your child.

Clear Communication: It opens up a clear channel of communication. If you have any questions or concerns, the Service Agreement provides a clear point of reference for our discussion.

What to Look for in a Service Agreement relating to NDIS Early Intervention

A good Service Agreement should be easy to understand and should clearly outline:

The services to be provided: This includes the type of therapy (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy), the frequency of sessions, and the length of each session.

The cost of the services: This should be broken down so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

The schedule of services: When and where the therapy will take place.

The responsibilities of both parties: This includes things like cancellation policies and communication guidelines.

The process for reviewing and ending the agreement: This gives you flexibility and control.

New to NDIS Funding?

Accessing funding to support your child is challenging and it can be a stressful endeavour. Engaging with Therapy Supports on the other hand shouldn't be. We will work closely with you to understand your needs, goals and personal factors that can impact your ability to support your child's therapeutic journey from your first call through to the successful completion of therapy.

Speak to our Practice Manager on 03 8522 1927 or reach out to us via email at admin@earlyinterventionaustralia.com for more advice on what to be aware of when looking to engage therapies for your child.