Pathways To Care

14/01/2026

With changes introduced in October last year, to Short Term Accommodation (now called Short Term Respite), participants generally can’t use this support in a different state or territory to where they live. There are limited exceptions, for example, participants who live close to a state border.

This clarification from the NDIA is part of a broader effort to establish clearer rules for Short Term Respite. The focus is on reinforcing that this support is intended as respite, not accommodation for holidays.

We understand this can feel confusing and stressful. It’s important to be very careful when arranging Short Term Respite. This support must be appropriate for you and should be discussed with your planner or my NDIS contact, or specifically referenced in your plan as a support you can use your funding for.

Short Term Respite can be a high-cost support. Before engaging with this support, it’s strongly recommended that you confirm that using your funding this way aligns with the intent of your plan. Where Short Term Respite has been used without this confirmation, we have unfortunately seen large invoices declined by the NDIA.

08/01/2026

Today, we say thank you and farewell to James, aka Jimmy/Jim.

Jimmy started with Pathways to Care back in 2015, when Ros and Jane were running training programs designed to support people with disabilities gain employment. Over the past ten years, Jim has held many roles, including administrative support, plan management, leadership in our intake and customer service teams, and marketing and business development. Throughout, Jim has shown his passion for empowering participants through his extensive NDIS knowledge, while demonstrating compassion and care.

We couldn’t be more excited about Jim’s next step into education. He has an innate ability to talk to anyone, bringing joy and positive energy wherever he goes. The team will miss him dearly; however, we know his future students are so lucky to have him.

Thanks, Jim!

30/12/2025

THANK YOU, JANE!

Last week, we celebrated our one and only Jane, who finishes up at Pathways tomorrow. Jane, our former Director, alongside Ros, has dedicated the past 11 years to ensuring the business delivers the highest level of support to people with disability.

From the early days of developing high-quality training materials, to providing Support Coordination for people on the NDIS, right through to ensuring Pathways operates at the highest level of NDIS compliance across all areas of the business. Jane’s work ethic, attention to detail, calm leadership and unwavering commitment to quality support are key reasons Pathways to Care is what it is today.

At her farewell dinner, Jane shared that she is most proud of the team, the shared knowledge, and the way we have supported our NDIS participants over the past eight years. While we are incredibly sad to see Jane go, we are equally excited for what lies ahead for her. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you and good luck, whoever your next employer is, they will be incredibly lucky to have you.

17/12/2025

Breaking news from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission!

Mandatory registration for supported independent living (SIL) and platform providers will start on 1 July 2026.

This change will strengthen oversight and ensure providers are accountable for meeting quality and safety standards. Registered providers must pass audits, suitability assessments, and comply with strict worker screening and incident reporting requirements.

This announcement follows extensive consultation and aligns with recommendations from the NDIS Review, Disability Royal Commission, NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce, and the NDIS Commission’s Own Motion Inquiries.

We will share guidance on transition arrangements in early 2026, giving providers time to prepare while maintaining continuity of support.

See the link to the media release in the comments.

17/12/2025

The NDIA has released an important update about funding periods. In the latest Your Plan OG, a key paragraph about overspending funding periods has been removed. We are already seeing an increase in claims being rejected by the NDIA because of this change.

This affects all participants who have funding periods in their plan. If a service is delivered in a funding period that has no money left, the NDIA will not pay the invoice. Funding periods are designed to help spread funding across the plan and support participants to stay within their budget. This update means it is now more important than ever to manage spending carefully.

There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself and avoid unpaid invoices:
What Participants can do:
• Ensure you have service agreements with all your providers.
• Check your budgets often using our plan management app, the my NDIS portal, or by contacting us.
• Reach out to your providers if funding is being used faster than expected.
• If you have a Support Coordinator, they should be helping you monitor this.

What Providers can do:
• Make sure all participants have clear service agreements outlining allocated funding and frequency of supports.
• Keep an open dialogue with your participants around their budget when funding periods are in place.

We understand this update may be frustrating, but being aware of it is essential.

02/12/2025

Today we acknowledge International Day of People with Disability and this year’s theme, “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress”. An inclusive society is one where everyone feels valued and able to take part in their community. When we design systems, services and attitudes that include people of all abilities, we create stronger, healthier and more connected communities.

While today is an important moment for reflection and celebration, it should not be the only day we hold these conversations. Inclusion should guide the way we think, plan and act every day. Positive change happens when we continue to learn from the disability community and recognise the skills, strengths and contributions that enrich our workplaces, communities and relationships.

International Day of People with Disability gives us the chance to focus on the disability community and to amplify their voices, achievements and leadership. By committing to inclusion every day of the year, we help build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

02/12/2025

We’re excited to share the final total, our first-ever Pathways to Care Charity Golf Day has raised $11,285.36 for the Australian Sliders!

A huge thank you to all our sponsors who backed the event so generously. Your support made the day possible, and we’re truly grateful.

The event itself was a fantastic success, with 16 teams hitting the course to compete. Many participants travelled hours to be part of the day, bringing an amazing energy with them. Even a quick 10-minute burst of wild weather couldn’t dampen spirits, DJ Vinnie Mammoliti kept the party hole pumping and the good vibes rolling across the course.

While the Golf Day may be over, our support for the Australian Sliders is far from finished. We’ll be cheering them on as they train and prepare for Finland next year. They still need all the help they can get, so please keep sharing their story.

GO SLIDERS!

Donate here - https://bit.ly/4pM5dLj

Australian Powerchair Hockey Association - NSW Inc.
Kieser Australia
NeuroSpine Vic
Bendigo District RSL
Victorian Specialist Support Services
Empowered Liveability
AceComms
KFC Bendigo
2easy Cleaning & Gardening Bendigo
One Community
Country Care Group
The Foundry Hotel & Mister Bobs Sports Bar
Surgical House
Elegant Living Furniture & Bedding
able.plus
More Opportunities
IMS Support Services
Jenna Hunter - Golf Professional
100 Mile Foodie
Dan Murphy’s Bendigo
Club Lime

27/11/2025

We’re often asked whether NDIS consumables funding can be used to buy footwear. As with most funding questions, the answer depends on each participant’s individual circumstances.

When specialised footwear is clearly listed in a plan, it means funding has been intentionally included. When it isn’t, it can be harder to determine if the item is considered an NDIS-funded support.

Here are the key questions to consider:
1. Does the item relate to the participant’s disability support needs?
2. Does the NDIS plan reference foot care, podiatry, orthoses or other Assistive Technology?
3. Is the footwear standard or specialised/custom?

Read on to understand why these questions matter. If you’re still unsure whether NDIS funding can be used for footwear, speak with your My NDIS contact for guidance.

21/11/2025

We’re supporting Anglicare Victoria again this Christmas to help bring joy to children and young people doing it tough. Every gift, big or small, helps ease the isolation many feel in out-of-home care.

If you’re able to donate, please drop off unwrapped gifts (no teddy bears or baby items) to our office at 128 Mollison Street, Bendigo, by 11 December. You can also donate online via Anglicare Victoria.

A quick tip: Anglicare supports children aged 0–16, so don’t forget the teens!

www.anglicarevic.org.au/christmas-toy-appeal/

19/11/2025

When it comes to deciding what is reasonable and necessary, there is only one role within the NDIS that has this authority: an NDIS Planner. Yet, with so much misinformation circulating, it’s easy to see why participants and providers sometimes get confused.

Getting this right is critical. If a decision is made based on advice from someone who doesn’t hold this authority, participants and providers can be left covering the cost. That’s why it’s essential to understand the limitations of each role.

10/11/2025

Service agreements don’t just protect participants. For providers, they are more than just paperwork, they’re an essential step. They create transparency, safeguard your business, and strengthen the relationship with participants.

By clearly setting out what services will be delivered, who will deliver them, how often, and at what cost, you reduce the risk of confusion or disputes. Agreements also demonstrate professionalism and build trust, showing participants that you are committed to fairness and accountability.

From a compliance perspective, service agreements are critical. The NDIA increasingly asks for evidence before approving payments, and having agreements in place provides that documentation. This not only helps you get paid on time but also lowers the risk of payment delays or refusals.