Virtually Accountable - NDIS Plan Manager

18/09/2025

☕💬 Coffee and a Chat with Dementia Australia

The Haven Mount Gambier is hosting a special session to learn more about Dementia and how to support those living with it.

📅 Wednesday, 29th October 2025
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Mount Gambier Library

Haven volunteers will also be presenting handmade fiddle blankets, muffs & scarves to Louise Masters from Dementia Australia 💜

Bookings are essential – call 8721 2540.

A wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and support an important cause. 🌿

10/09/2025

📢 NDIS Update – Music & Art Therapy Pricing 🎶🎨

Great news for participants and providers — the NDIS has confirmed a price increase for music and art therapy sessions.

💰 What’s Changing?
In 2024, the rate dropped from $194 to $68 per hour.
From 24 November 2025, the price will rise to $156.16 per hour, bringing it in line with counselling.

🧑‍⚕️ Therapist Requirements
Therapists must hold the right qualifications.
They must also be members of a recognised professional association.

📉 Why This Matters
The earlier price cut caused distress for families and therapists.
Many parents worried their children might miss out on therapy.
Therapists feared their services would no longer be sustainable.

🏛️ The Review
An independent review led by Dr Stephen Duckett looked into music and art therapy.

The review confirmed these therapies can be beneficial when delivered appropriately.

The government has now accepted these findings and updated pricing.

📊 How Many People Use These Supports?
7,217 participants accessed music therapy last year.
6,788 participants accessed art therapy last year.

✨ At Virtually Accountable, we welcome these changes as a positive step in recognising the value of creative therapies. If you’d like help understanding how this affects your plan or budget, our team is here to support you. 💙

10/09/2025

📞 Service Update

We’re currently experiencing difficulties with our phone lines due to a Telstra mobile outage in our area. Telstra has advised they are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

In the meantime, if you need to reach the Virtually Accountable team, please contact us via email:

📧 Megan@virtuallyaccountable.com
📧 Genelle@virtuallyaccountable.com
📧 Hailee@virtuallyaccountable.com

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding 💙

08/09/2025

🌟🎨 Exciting news for our community! 🎨🌟

The All Abilities Art Exhibition – "Dare to Dream" is coming to Millicent! 🖌️✨

📅 Save the date: Friday 26 September 2025
📍 Millicent Visitor Information Centre | 3:30pm – 4:45pm

This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate creativity, inclusion, and the amazing talents of artists from Millicent and surrounding communities. 💜

➡️ Artwork entries are open in categories including painting, digital art, recycled art, photography, and more – with a special section for under 18s!

Let’s come together to support and showcase the vibrant voices of all abilities in our region. 🌈

For more details or to register artwork, contact Jacqui:
📞 0417 241 873
📧 j.matthews@unityhousing.org.au

05/09/2025

💬 Have your say!

Mount Gambier City Council is updating their Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and they want to hear from you.

This plan plays an important role in shaping a more inclusive and accessible community for people of all abilities. Whether it’s about public spaces, services, or community events, your voice matters.
We encourage our clients, families, and community members to take part and share your experiences, ideas, and feedback. Together, we can help create a city that is welcoming and supportive for everyone.

👉 Check out the City Council’s post below for details on how you can get involved.

City of Mount Gambier is renewing its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) with assistance from social profit organisation JFA Purple Orange. The…

04/09/2025

🌿 A New Chapter for Virtually Accountable 🌿

For almost a decade, we’ve been walking alongside NDIS participants, helping them to understand, set up, and get the most out of their NDIS supports. It’s been our privilege to be part of so many journeys, and that won’t be changing.

What is changing is that we’re opening our arms a little wider. We’re excited to share that we will now also be supporting people through My Aged Care with our new Care Coordination division. This means our experienced team can assist those with Home Care Packages to connect with services and feel confident in using their HCP funding.

At Virtually Accountable, our heart has always been in supporting people through life’s transitions — big and small. In the coming weeks and months, you may notice some updates to our social media and website as we reflect this new chapter.

What won’t change is the team you know and trust. Our Support Coordination and Plan Management services remain the same — we’re simply adding new skills to help even more people feel supported and connected.

Connect with our team today on 0439 792 881 to see how we can support you on your My Aged Care journey.

02/09/2025

🌻 R U OK? Any Day – Community BBQ & Activities 🌻

Join this fantastic community event at the beautiful Cave Gardens, Mount Gambier for a day of connection, conversation, and community. 💛

✨ Free BBQ
✨ Live music & entertainment
✨ Fun activities for all ages
✨ A chance to connect and check in with each other

🗓️ Thursday 11th of September
📍 Cave Gardens, Mount Gambier

Let’s come together to celebrate the power of a simple question: “Are you OK?”

Because every day is the right day to check in with those around us. 💬💛

Bring your family, bring your friends — and make it a day to remember. 🎶🌭

29/08/2025

🌟 Something exciting is on the horizon at Virtually Accountable! 🌟

We’ve been working quietly behind the scenes, supporting like we always do… but there’s a new chapter coming that we can’t wait to share. 📖✨

Think comfort, care, and making life transitions just a little bit easier 💙

Stay tuned – all will be revealed soon! 👀

Virtually Accountable is a Registered NDIS Plan Manager servicing the entire Limestone Coast of South Australia and the Lower South West of Victoria.

26/08/2025

📢 Office Closure Notice📢

Due to staff training, the Virtually Accountable office will be closed this afternoon from 1:00pm.

Our team is still available via email during this time:
📧 Megan – megan@virtuallyaccountable.com
📧 Genelle – genelle@virtuallyaccountable.com
📧 Hailee – hailee@virtuallyaccountable.com

Thank you for your understanding! We apologise for any inconvenience caused💙

21/08/2025

🌼 Important Update: Thriving Kids is coming 🌼

The Australian Government has announced a major change to the way early supports will be delivered for children with developmental needs.

From July 2026, a new $2 billion program called Thriving Kids will roll out, with full implementation expected by mid-2027.

Here’s what you need to know:

✨ Thriving Kids will focus on children under 9 with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism.

✨ Supports will be provided through everyday settings — like schools, GPs, and community services — instead of through the NDIS.

✨ This change comes after significant growth in the NDIS, where almost half of new participants are children under 15, and 70% of those are children with autism.

✨ Families with children currently in the NDIS won’t be removed straight away — there will be a transition period, and in some cases.

💬 As Minister Mark Butler explained:

“Families who are looking for additional supports in mainstream services can’t find them because they largely don’t exist anymore… The NDIS model just doesn’t suit their needs.”

As your Support Coordinator and Plan Manager, we will be here to:

✅ Keep you updated as more details are released
✅ Help you understand how these changes affect your child’s plan
✅ Work with you to make sure your child continues to have the supports they need to thrive 💛

📽️ Watch the video to hear more about what Thriving Kids means for families, and how I’ll be supporting you through this change.

19/05/2025

📣 Important Update: Changes to NDIS Funding from 19 May 2025 (that's today!)

From Monday 19 May 2025, the way NDIS funding is released in new and reassessed plans is changing — and it’s crucial for providers and participants to be prepared.

🧾 What’s Changing?

🔄 Funds Released in Periods
Funding will now be allocated in scheduled periods (e.g. monthly or quarterly), rather than as a lump sum — especially in new or reassessed plans from 19 May onward.

⏳ Stricter Claim Timeframes
From 3 October 2025, all claims must be submitted within 2 years of delivering the support. Services delivered before 3 October 2024 can still be claimed until 3 October 2025.

🔒 Improved Payment Controls
Stronger safeguards are being introduced to ensure payments align with participant goals and budgets.

📋 More Accountability
There will be greater scrutiny around how supports are delivered and how claims are made, especially for plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants.

✅ What Providers Should Do Now

✔️ Check Payment Schedules
Talk to plan managers for participants with new or reassessed plans to understand fund release timelines.

✔️ Update Your Systems
Ensure your invoicing and internal tracking systems are ready to submit claims within 2 years of service delivery.

✔️ Educate Your Team
Make sure both frontline and admin staff are aware of these changes and know how to manage claim deadlines.

✔️ Review Service Agreements
Update agreements to reflect that funds may not be available upfront.

✔️ Be Transparent with Participants
Let participants know that delays in payment may occur if funds haven’t yet been released.

⏱️ Submission Deadlines
NDIA-Managed: Submit via myplace portal within 90 days from end of service booking.
Plan-Managed: Send to plan manager with all required info.

📌 Quick Tips
✔️ Be accurate — double-check invoice details
✔️ Be prompt — invoice shortly after services are delivered
✔️ Stay informed — follow updates from the NDIA

By staying ahead of these changes, providers can maintain compliance and support prompt, uninterrupted service payments.

If you have questions or need help preparing, don’t hesitate to reach out! 💬