Ndis partners in the community program

15.19What variables have been considered in the calculation of the ECEI service area funding amounts? For instance I note that by the number of expected Participants the amount of funding differs in different Service Areas.

Several variables have been taken into account in modelling the available funding for each Service Area, including the number of Participants that are required to be phased into the Scheme. The NDIA does not intend to provide more detail in this regard.

15.20In section 4.1.1.4 of the Program Guidelines - Conflict of Interest (ECEI Services) point a) says that preference will be given whether there are any alternative providers of ECEI Services who are not Registered Providers of Supports.

Does this mean preference will be given to ECEI partner applications from organisations that don’t provide support in that service area or to ECEI applications from organisations that are not service providers for anywhere?

The eligibility criteria set out in paragraph 4.1.1.4 of the Program Provides:

An Applicant applying to deliver ECEI Services may be a Registered Provider of Supports or may propose a subcontractor to deliver ECEI Services which is a Registered Provider of Supports, where the Applicant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agency that exceptional circumstances exist. In considering whether exceptional circumstances exist, the Agency will consider:

1. 
   whether there are any alternative providers of ECEI Services who are not Registered Providers of Supports;
   
2. 
   the Applicant's proposed mitigation approach to manage this actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.
   

This is an eligibility (and not an assessment) criterion.  “Preference” is not given to any Applicant by virtue of their status as a Registered Provider of Supports (or not).  An Applicant, who is a Registered Provider of Supports, will only be eligible to provide ECEI Services if it can demonstrate that exceptional circumstances exist and following the Agency’s consideration of the two factors outlined in a) and b) above.

An Applicant's status as a Registered Provider of Supports is not limited to any particular geographical area (including, for example, the Service Area in which it delivers disability services).  As such, this eligibility criterion applies to any entity which is a Registered Provider of Supports, regardless of the locations in which the entity provides disability services or supports.