Ndis partners in the community program

13.2Given the ECEI grant application and subsequent approvals will occur ahead of the introduction of the NDIS in particular Service Areas (e.g. October 2017), when the NDIA are considering an ECEI Partner's request to become a Registered Provider of Supports, how will the NDIA determine if there are any other existing ECI Providers in the region? Our concern is that some ECEI Providers have yet to register to become NDIS Providers of Supports. Therefore, the NDIA will not know if there is the potential for a market failure until the existing Provider's registrations have been processed.

Where the Agency receives an Application from an organisation which is currently a Registered Provider of Supports, the Agency will assess the Application as set out in [Q9.1] above.

Where an ECEI Partner (or approved Subcontractor engaged by an ECEI Partner) proposes to become a Registered Provider of Supports during the term of the Grant Agreement, the ECEI Partner will need to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agency that exceptional circumstances exist (see clause 34.7).  The Agency will assess whether it is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist based on the information available at the time the assessment is made.  In such case, the Agency may:

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  approve the ECEI Partner or Subcontractor becoming a Registered Provider of Supports; or
  
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  in the case of a Subcontractor who proceeds to become a Registered Provider of Supports, require the removal or replacement of that Subcontractor;
  
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  in the case of an ECEI Partner who proceeds to become a Registered Provider of Supports, terminate the Grant Agreement.