What is PACE in the NDIS?
The NDIS PACE system is a new business system for the NDIS and its partners. It’s going to replace the existing computer system the NDIS uses to communicate with you and manage your NDIS Plan.
The new PACE system is already rolling out to people getting their first NDIS Plan. Existing participants will move to the new system at the time of your next plan reassessment. Rollout of PACE is expected to take place throughout the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.
This new NDIS PACE system is designed to enhance the participant and provider experience by offering clearer and more consistent information on decision-making processes.
The PACE system also includes changes to NDIS processes and the way the NDIS works with participants and providers. It’s a new way of working that the NDIS says will make the NDIS experience more consistent for everyone.
What the PACE system does.
The new PACE system holds participant information, enquiries, plans and budget. All your NDIS-related information is stored here, including your contact details, goals, NDIS plan, funding and providers. It also connects to a new myNDIS participant portal.
The NDIS says the new system is designed to:
- Improve the participant and provider experience
- Provide clearer and more consistent information about how decisions are made
- Make systems and processes more consistent nationally
- Make it easier to implement recent changes to the NDIS Act.
While the introduction of the PACE system offers benefits for participants and providers, it does not fundamentally change how the NDIS operates.
Creating your NDIS Plan – what’s changing.
The NDIS changes include a new step in the process for plan reviews/reassessments.
About four months before your current plan reaches its reassessment date, your NDIS contact (Local Area Coordinator/Early Childhood Partner/NDIA planner) will call you to talk about your current plan.
This is called a “participant check in”. During the call, they will see how you are going with your plan, talk about anything that has changed and see if your plan still meets your needs.
They will ask you about:
- How your plan is going
- Your budgets and how you’ve used your funding
- Any reports you have from providers
- Any new or different information about your situation.
Your planner will use this information to work out if you need a plan reassessment to develop a new plan or if you can have a new plan that’s like the old one.
If your new plan will be like your current plan.
– You may not need a plan reassessment.
If you’re happy with your current plan, the NDIS will use your current plan and budget as a starting point for your next plan.
Your new plan will be like your current plan if:
- Your support needs haven’t changed much
- Only small changes or no changes are needed
- Your plan continues to meet your needs
- Your supports still meet the NDIS funding criteria.
You won’t need to provide as many details and reports as you may have previously if your plan doesn’t need to change.
Even if you need small changes, the NDIS can develop your new plan based on your current plan. When your plan is developed this way, you won’t need a plan meeting. Instead, your NDIS contact (local area coordinator/early childhood partner/NDIA planner) may use your check in call to see how you’re going and see if you have any questions.
Top tip: It’s important to confirm with your planner if you would like to manage your plan in the same way (plan manage, self manage or have the NDIA manage). You also need to provide the name of your plan manager if your preference is to plan manage.
If your new plan needs to be different to your current plan.
– You will need a plan reassessment.
If you need more, less or different supports, your NDIS contact will work with you to reassess your existing plan and you may need to provide additional information. During your check-in call, they will explain the information and evidence you will need, how to gather the information and other details about the reassessment process.
Your planner will work with you to create your plan, using your existing plan and budget as a starting point. Participants can speak directly with the planner who approves their NDIS Plan to make sure what is included is right for them.
Once your plan has been developed, your NDIA planner will invite you to a plan meeting so you can review and approve your new plan. New NDIS Plans may be for up to three years except for children under nine.
Top tip: It’s a good idea to confirm with your planner if you would like to manage your plan in the same way (plan manage, self manage or have the NDIA manage) and provide the name of your plan manager at this initial meeting when your preference is to plan manage.
Other NDIS changes.
- You will need to record your preferred providers (including your plan manager if you have one) at your plan meeting or plan reassessment
- You will give consent for providers to see your plan if you want them to.
What’s not changing?
PACE is only changing some aspects of the NDIS planning process. Your NDIS Plan will still be based on your individual needs.
The following things are not changing:
- How the NDIS makes decisions about funding. The “reasonable and necessary” test still applies
- Service agreements: we recommend that you still have a service agreement with each of your service providers.
Your NDIS Plan will still be based on your individual needs.
Plan reassessments, plan implementation meetings and participant check-ins.
Optional plan implementation meetings.
The NDIS has introduced new plan implementation meetings which you may be offered to help you get started with and use your plan.
Plan implementation meetings will be with your NDIS partner (usually an early childhood partner or local area coordinator). These meetings are optional – you can choose whether to participate or not.
At plan implementation meetings, you can talk about:
- How to use your plan to make the most of budgets and supports
- How you will manage and pay for your supports
- Getting support to make service agreements
- The check-in process.
Participant check-ins.
The NDIS will contact you every 12 months or so for a participant check-in. Unlike plan implementation meetings, participant check-ins are not optional.
Participant check-ins involve your NDIS partner talking with you to see how your plan is working and how you’re going with your goals. It’s a way for the NDIS to ensure your plan still meets your needs, especially if you have a longer plan, such as three years. This doesn’t mean your plan has to change.
- Check-ins will happen every year
- You can take a family member, supporter or someone who helps you
- Your NDIS contact may also check in with you if you haven’t spent your funds or are spending a lot of your NDIS Plan budget.
Plan reassessments
You will only need to attend a plan reassessment if your new plan will be different to your current plan. A plan reassessment is an opportunity for you to request changes to your plan if needed.
The following processes have changed:
- You will need to record your preferred providers (including your plan manager if you have one) at your plan meeting or plan reassessment
- You will give consent for providers to see your plan if you want them to.
New NDIS website.
The NDIS has built a new website which is still being developed. It has loads of information about the changes and new systems and for people transitioning to the NDIS PACE system. The existing website remains live for people who haven’t moved to PACE.
New website https://improvements.ndis.gov.au