Australian NDIS & Aged Care Glossary — 25 Essential Compliance & Award Terms
Authoritative glossary of Australian NDIS provider terms, SCHADS Award clauses, Support at Home standards, and Fair Work rostering rules.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
The national agency responsible for regulating and registering healthcare practitioners (nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health) across Australia.
Aged Care Award 2010
The modern award establishing minimum terms, conditions, and wage rates for employees working in residential aged care facilities across Australia.
Broken Shift (SCHADS Clause 25.6)
A shift divided into up to two parts within a single day (with an unpaid gap in between) within a maximum spread of 12 hours.
Casual Loading (25%)
An additional 25% paid on top of the base modern award hourly rate to casual care employees in lieu of paid annual leave and sick leave.
Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO)
The independent Australian statutory agency responsible for ensuring compliance with workplace laws, Modern Awards, and the Fair Work Act 2009.
GST-Free Care Supply
A supply of care services that is exempt from Australia's 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) under Section 38-38 of the GST Act.
Mandatory Care Minutes (Aged Care)
Federal requirements mandating residential aged care facilities to provide an average of 215 care minutes per resident per day, including 44 minutes from an RN.
Minimum Engagement Period (SCHADS)
The statutory rule requiring part-time and casual social and community care employees to be engaged and paid for a minimum of 2 consecutive hours per shift.
NDIA PACE System
The NDIA's new Customer Relationship Management system replacing the legacy SAP CRM system for plan management and claiming.
NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
The annual guide published by the NDIA setting the maximum hourly rates that registered providers can charge participants for funded supports.
NDIS Worker Screening Check (NWSC)
A national background screening clearance required for workers employed in risk-assessed roles by registered NDIS providers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Australia’s national funding framework providing individualized funding packages to Australians with significant and permanent disability to access necessary supports.
Nurses Award 2020
The modern award setting wage classifications, allowances, and rostering conditions for Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, and Assistants in Nursing (AIN).
PRODA (Provider Digital Access)
An online identity verification and authentication system used by Australian healthcare and disability organizations to access government portals like myplace and HPOS.
Plan-Managed vs NDIA-Managed vs Self-Managed
The three ways an NDIS participant's funding can be administered, determining how providers invoice for delivered services.
SCHADS Award 2010
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010; the modern award setting minimum wages and employment conditions for disability support and social care workers.
Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
A mandatory Australian incident reporting scheme requiring aged care and NDIS providers to identify, manage, and report serious incidents affecting care recipients.
Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 (STP 2)
The ATO reporting regime that requires employers to report itemized gross payroll information directly to the government on or before every payday.
Sleepover Allowance (SCHADS Clause 25.7)
A designated allowance paid to an employee rostered to remain overnight at a client or participant accommodation premises.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Purpose-built housing designed for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The updated seven Quality Standards governing aged care providers in Australia, focusing on dignity, clinical care, food and nutrition, and governance.
Superannuation Guarantee (12%)
The compulsory superannuation contribution that Australian employers must pay on ordinary time earnings for employees, set at 12% from July 1, 2025 onwards.
Support at Home Program
Australia’s restructured in-home aged care program replacing Home Care Packages (HCP) and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
NDIS support provided to participants with higher support needs to live as independently as possible in shared accommodation with 24/7 staff support.
Working with Children Check (WWCC)
A state-based background screening check assessing criminal history and misconduct findings for individuals working with children under 18.