23 May 2024
May marks six months for me here at Leisure Networks as CEO. I can honestly say it has been a true example of “time flies when you’re having fun!” I have enjoyed getting to know all the incredible, friendly staff around Leisure Networks, as well as many of our customers. Being able to meet and speak with our customers is a real privilege, and I believe this personal interaction is something that makes us quite unique as an organisation.
We see the smiles of our customers who meet at Leisure Networks on their way to programs and 1:1 supports and I love hearing our plan management team say again and again, is that behind every invoice is a story. A story of impact, of someone getting closer to achieving their goal, of someone’s life being just a little bit better. We often celebrate the big success stories, but there are so many little things that happen everyday to improve people’s lives thanks to their NDIS funding.
The NDIS has been revolutionary in bringing meaningful change to the lives of people living with disability in Australia, which is why it is so important that it is protected and maintained for the future.
In March, Minister for the NDIS the Hon. Bill Shorten MP introduced the The Getting the NDIS Back on Track Bill to the parliament which addresses priority recommendations from the NDIS Review. The Bill aims to introduce reforms so that the NDIA can continue to provide life-changing outcomes for people with disability and ensure every dollar invested in the NDIS helps participants live their best lives. A significant part of it is about protecting participants from illegal and unethical conduct, including fraud and non-compliance.
To support this, the NDIS announced yesterday that it had created a new online tip-off form to streamline the reporting of suspected fraud and non-compliance. Click here to find out more on the NDIS website. They have also implemented new procedure for processing provider payments. You would have also received an email earlier this month from Andrew Danka (Team Leader, Financial Plan Management) informing you about these updated processes to help reduce fraud and non-compliant behaviour. In some cases, this has meant it is taking longer to approve claims.
These new checks and processes are impacting all plan managers and NDIS providers.
Please be reassured that at Leisure Networks we are always doing everything we can to make sure you get the most out of your NDIS Plan. We also support the NDIA commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the scheme, which means we follow rigorous process to protect our customers and safeguard against fraud, while staying focused on speed and efficiency. I’d like to remind you that there are also things you can do to help make this a smoother process, like ensuring all invoices are NDIA and ATO compliant. For more information about NDIA provider payment terms, please visit the NDIS website.
Leisure Networks also welcomes the Government’s commitment to co-design and to thoughtfully consider the recommendations of the Independent NDIS Review in collaboration with the disability community. Collaboration is in our Leisure Networks DNA and we are right in the middle of our Customer Engagement Survey. You should have received on email from us already with a link to the survey which should only take around 10 minutes of your time. Your support and participation is crucial in helping us deliver impact for you and all our customers. Your voice matters and your feedback is completely anonymous and confidential. Click here to take the survey.
We have just begun work on our new Strategy that will guide us to create greater impact over the next decade. This process gives us a fantastic, unique opportunity to challenge ourselves to understand what is working at Leisure Networks and what we can do better. We want you to contribute and help us make Leisure Networks exciting and bold for you and all our customers. If you would like to be involved and contribute to our strategy process by answering a few questions, please get in contact Larissa Taylor from Customer Connect Team: [email protected]
Remember, we are here to support you, so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm via phone: 1300 561 802 or email: [email protected]
Kind regards,
David
David Meade (He/Him)
Chief Executive Officer
A Geelong HQ | 4 Verner Street | Geelong VIC 3220