NDIS Provider insurance

NDIS Practice Standards require all registered NDIS providers, including those operating as sole traders, to have “appropriate” levels of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance in place.

Registered NDIS providers must have certain types of business insurance. Professional Indemnity insurance and Public Liability insurance are both required under the current NDIS Practice Standards.

There are also other types of cover that you may consider to help protect your business finances and assets, such as Personal Accident & Illness, Cyber Liability, Management Liability, and Contents (an option available through a Business Insurance Package).

Registered NDIS providers have registered with the NDIS Commission. They have been audited against and assessed as meeting the relevant NDIS Practice Standards, which include mandatory Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance. Registered NDIS providers are listed in the NDIS Provider Register. Registration is mandatory to provide certain services listed on the NDIS Commission website.

Unregistered providers do not need to adhere to the same standards as registered providers and can set their own prices (instead of adhering to the NDIS price guide). However, unregistered providers may be seen as less trustworthy by potential clients and do not have access to NDIS tools and client lists.

The main difference between Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance is what each type of policy covers.

Public Liability insurance is designed to provide protection for you and your business in the event a customer, supplier or a member of the public brings a claim against you due to their being injured or sustaining property damage as a result of your negligent business activities.

Professional Indemnity insurance is designed to respond to claims against your business for losses as a result of actual or alleged negligent acts or omissions in the provision of your professional service or advice. PI Insurance will also assist with the legal costs associated with responding to or managing claims which are covered by the policy.

NDIS support worker insurance may cover many activities common to the occupation, such as:

• Personal care – i.e., grooming, dressing, eating and drinking, and taking medication
• Domestic assistance – i.e., light housework, cooking and cleaning
• Social assistance – i.e., accompanying clients to social gatherings, recreational activities, and appointments
• Health and wellness – i.e., monitoring a client’s health, administering medication, and supporting physical and mental wellbeing

You may want to carefully read your policy wordings to understand which activities you are or are not covered.

Group disability insurance is a form of workers’ compensation insurance that specifically covers total and permanent disability. BizCover does not offer group disability or workers’ compensation insurance. However, sole trader and self-employed NDIS providers may consider Personal Accident & Illness insurance to help protect them financially if they are accidentally injured or are no longer able to work due to a disability

Unregistered NDIS providers may face the same risks as registered providers. You may want to consider popular cover options, such as:

• Contents insurance (part of a Business Insurance Package)
• Allied Health Combined Liability – A policy that combines Professional Indemnity insurance and Public Liability insurance in a single, convenient package
• Personal Accident & Illness insurance
• Cyber Liability insurance