Part A: Common terms (Residential Aged Care Toolkit)

This table is a quick guide to clarify different terms that are used in the aged care and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sector that have common meanings or roles.

Aged Care NDIS
Aged care consumer (consumer) 
Participant

A person approved under the Aged Care Act 1997 who has been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team to receive Australian Government funded aged care services.

Also known as aged care consumer or care recipient.

A person with disability who has been assessed as eligible for the NDIS, which means they have a permanent and significant disability and meet other eligibility criteria. NDIS participants have an individualised NDIS plan, developed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) which provides funding for ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports to participate in social and economic life and achieve their goals and aspirations.

People must be under the age of 65 years to join the NDIS.  If a participant turns 65 after they join the NDIS, they can choose to stay with the NDIS or leave the NDIS and receive supports through the Commonwealth Aged Care System.

NDIS participants who enter RAC for the first time after turning 65, automatically lose their NDIS entitlements under Section 29(1)(b) of the NDIS Act.

Assessors
Approved Quality Auditor

Quality Assessors are registered by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to undertake a quality assessment against the Aged Care Quality Standards or to monitor the quality of care and services.

An independent audit body approved by the NDIS Commissioner to undertake audits of NDIS providers.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC)
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission)

The ACQSC is the national regulator of aged care services and the primary point of contact for consumers and providers in relation to quality and safety in aged care in Australia. The Commission’s role includes assessing and monitoring quality of care and services against the Aged Care Quality Standards.

The NDIS Commission is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. The NDIS Commission regulates all providers who deliver NDIS supports and services, registered and unregistered.

The NDIS Commission is a separate body to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) which is responsible for developing NDIS plans and funding for participants in the NDIS.

Residential Aged Care Provider
NDIS Provider

Organisations that have been approved to deliver Australian Government-subsided residential aged care services.

An approved provider is required to comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards in the Aged Care Act.

NDIS providers are individuals or organisations that deliver supports or services to an NDIS participant.

Providers must be registered to deliver NDIS funded supports and services to participants in the NDIS whose support plan is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). 

Providers delivering certain types of supports or services must also be registered with the NDIS Commission.

RAC providers supporting NDIS participants must be registered under the NDIS as a result of these requirements.

Key Personnel
Key Personnel

Means individuals who hold key executive, management or operational positions in an organisation, such as directors, managers, chief executive officer or anyone involved in governance.

Key personnel also include persons responsible or likely to be responsible for nursing services or the day-to-day operations of the service.

Means individuals who hold key executive, management or operational positions in an organisation, such as directors, managers, chief executive officer or anyone involved in governance.

These details must be disclosed in the initial online registration application and are closely looked at by the Commission to ensure the key personnel are ‘suitable’ to provide supports and services in the NDIS.
Care and services Plan
Support Plan  

A care and services plan is based on assessment and planning, including consideration of risks to health and wellbeing, for an individual aged care consumer. It outlines a consumer’s current needs, goals, preferences and scheduled regular reviews.  It will be developed by the aged care provider in consultation with the consumer and/or their legal representative.

A plan developed by each NDIS provider providing supports to a participant, in consultation with the participant and their support network. The plan is based on an assessment (including risk assessment) to reflect participant needs, requirements, preferences, strengths, goals and review dates (minimum annually).  

A provider’s Support Plan is different from a participant’s NDIS plan. The NDIS plan for a participant is developed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and sets out the supports for a participant that are funded by through the NDIS.

 

Refer to Part G for a comprehensive Glossary of Terms