In a welcome move, and one which NDS has been advocating for on behalf of members for some time, the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) have made changes to the Disability Employment Services and Supported Employment Services (DES/SES) Scheme to reduce the financial and administrative burden on ADEs in meeting their NSDS audit requirements. The changes to the DES/SES Scheme mean that:

DSS is working towards adopting the NDIS Practice Standards under the Disability Employment Continuity of Support program. However, this will involve legislative change to the Disability Services Act and will be a lengthy process. NSDS certification is required to be eligible for Temporary Viability Support (TVS) funding, even if an ADE has no supported employees funded by DSS. Organisations receiving TVS funding will need to undergo a surveillance audit if one is due. However, ADEs can request their Certifying Body to extend their NSDS certification expiry to align with their next NDIS AQA surveillance/(re)certification audit. ADEs receiving rural and remote funding are required to undertake their next NSDS audit as the DEA program has been extended to 31 March 2021.