9.00am - 9.25am  

Registration and arrival  

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9.30am - 9.40am 

Welcome and introductions  

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9.45am - 10.15am ​

The NDIS Bill Has Passed. Here's what changes, When — and What's still not answered.

David Moody

Management Governance Australia

David will provide  a practical, no-fluff briefing on the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 — now law, with a 2-year implementation runway that has real gaps.

We will unpack
●    What the Bill actually changes, and what it doesn't
●    The key sequencing and timelines providers need to plan around
●    What it means for providers, participants and families
●    The 5 things worth tracking over the next 90 days

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10.15am - 10.45am 

Beyond the Clearance: Worker Screening as a Critical Governance and Compliance Control

Danielle Lincoln

Queensland Worker Screening Services 

The Queensland Disability Worker Screening Scheme plays a vital role in protecting people with disability by ensuring that workers engaged in risk-assessed roles meet the required screening standards.

 

However, worker screening is more than obtaining a clearance- it is an ongoing governance and compliance responsibility for providers.

 

In this practical session, Danielle Lincoln, Manager, Compliance and Community Engagement, Queensland Worker Screening Services, will provide an overview of Queensland's Disability Worker Screening Scheme, including employer and provider obligations, identifying workers who require screening, monitoring clearances, and responding appropriately to changes in worker circumstances.

 

Drawing on current compliance activities and emerging trends, Danielle will share common issues observed across the sector, highlight areas where providers are most at risk of non-compliance, and outline practical strategies to strengthen internal systems and demonstrate good governance.

 

Attendees will gain valuable insights into regulator expectations and leave with actionable approaches to embedding worker screening as part of a robust organisational risk and compliance framework.

 

Key takeaways:

• Understanding Queensland Disability Worker Screening obligations.

• Identifying which workers require a clearance and when.

• Monitoring and managing clearances throughout the employment lifecycle.

• Common compliance issues and lessons from regulatory activities.

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10.45am - 11.15am 

SCHADS Award 2026: Workforce Compliance, Cost Pressures & Operational Risk for NDIS and Aged Care Providers

Andreia Lemos

BDO 
Workforce compliance under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award remains one of the most complex and financially significant challenges facing NDIS providers in 2026.

 

With increased Fair Work scrutiny, evolving interpretations of the Award, and heightened enforcement activity, providers are experiencing growing exposure to payroll errors, misclassification, underpayment claims, and operational disruption.

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This session delivers a detailed, practical examination of SCHADS as it applies in the current operating environment, with a strong focus on NDIS-funded services including SIL, in-home supports, and community-based programs. '

Attendees will gain clarity on award classifications, minimum pay rates, allowances, broken shifts, sleepovers, overtime, and rostering obligations, and how these interact with funding constraints and service delivery models.

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For organisations operating across both NDIS and aged care services, this session will address the increasing complexity of managing a shared workforce across different industrial frameworks.

While aged care award reform continues to evolve, the session will clarify where SCHADS continues to apply, where crossover risks exist, and how providers can maintain consistent governance, compliance, and cost control across service streams.

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Practical guidance will be provided on:

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• ​Interpreting SCHADS classifications and allowances correctly in complex service environments

• Identifying and mitigating payroll and rostering risk before issues escalate

• Managing workforce costs while maintaining compliant service delivery

• Preparing for Fair Work audits, employee claims, and regulator scrutiny

• Aligning workforce strategy with funding sustainability and operational realities

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This session is designed for CEOs, CFOs, HR leaders, compliance managers, and operational executives seeking to strengthen workforce governance, protect organisational viability, and ensure compliance in an increasingly regulated and scrutinised sector.

 

11.15am - 11.30am  

Q & A and Panel Session  

 

11.30am - 12.00pm 

Lunch 

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12.00pm - 12.30pm  

NDIS Integrity, Compliance & Fraud Risk Management

David Moody 

Management Governance Australia 

With the continued strengthening of NDIS integrity measures in 2026, providers are expected to demonstrate robust systems for financial accountability, ethical billing, and operational transparency. 

This session provides an in-depth examination of compliance risk, fraud exposure, and governance obligations under the evolving integrity framework.
Attendees will gain practical guidance on implementing internal controls, preparing for audits and reviews, responding to regulator enquiries, and reducing the risk of funding recovery, sanctions, or reputational damage. The session focuses on prevention, preparedness, and defensible operational practices.

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12.30pm - 1.00pm   ​

Protect your Bottom Line: The Provider’s Role in Preventing Restrictive Practice Breaches

Mark Hunn 

NDIStress 

Understand how NDIS providers can reduce organisational risk, strengthen compliance, and avoid significant financial penalties associated with restrictive practice breaches — with fines potentially exceeding $300,000.

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Restrictive practices are no longer viewed solely as a clinical, behaviour support or frontline service issue.

Under the evolving NDIS regulatory environment, providers are increasingly being held accountable for the governance, oversight, reporting and management of restrictive practices across their organisation.

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With heightened scrutiny from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, stronger compliance expectations and the potential for significant civil penalties, providers must ensure they have robust systems, governance frameworks and workforce practices in place to identify, reduce and appropriately manage restrictive practices.

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This session will explore the latest regulatory expectations, emerging compliance risks and the practical steps providers can take to protect participants while safeguarding their organisation from financial, operational and reputational harm.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where provider liability sits, what regulators are looking for, and how proactive governance can minimise risk and strengthen organisational resilience.

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Key Discussion Areas

• Current NDIS regulatory expectations and enforcement trends

• Provider obligations and accountability for restrictive practices

• Governance, reporting and documentation requirements

• Identifying organisational risks and compliance gaps

• Civil penalties, regulatory action and reputational consequences

• Building a culture of least restrictive practice and participant safeguards

• Practical strategies to strengthen compliance, oversight and risk management

 

Attendees  will leave with a practical understanding of how to reduce restrictive practice risks, strengthen organisational compliance, and prepare for increasing regulatory scrutiny in the NDIS environment.

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1.00pm - 1.20pm 

Sponsor note : Weel

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1.20pm - 1.35pm  

Q & A and Audience engagement 

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1.35pm - 1.50pm  

Afternoon break 

 

1.55pm - 2.25pm 

NDIS Providers Transitioning into Aged Care: Registration & Support at Home Update

Justin  Palermo

Health Care Providers Association 

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With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program, there are significant opportunities for NDIS providers looking to diversify into in-home aged care—but the regulatory, registration and operational requirements are different.

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This session provides a practical update for NDIS providers considering the move into aged care.

It will unpack the aged care provider registration categories, Support at Home requirements, Category 4 and Care Management obligations, audit requirements, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, workforce and governance considerations, and the systems providers need to become operational.

The session will also explore the options of becoming a registered Support at Home provider or entering the market as an associated provider working with an established aged care organisation.

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Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what can be leveraged from their existing NDIS operations, what needs to change, and the key compliance and business considerations before entering the Support at Home market.

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2.30pm - 3.00pm      

Buying or Selling an Existing NDIS Business

Mark Hunn

NDIStress

Buying or selling an NDIS business involves much more than agreeing on a price.

With more providers entering and exiting the sector, buyers can underestimate risk while sellers may overestimate the true value of their business. Even relatively small mistakes can lead to legal exposure, financial loss and operational disruption.

This practical session will explore the key considerations when buying or selling an NDIS provider, including how to assess the true value and adjusted profitability of a business, rather than relying on revenue alone.

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Attendees will also learn about major risk areas to investigate before a transaction, including existing liabilities, personal and business asset mixing, dependence on the current owner, non-compete arrangements, and NDIS Commission requirements.

The session is designed to help both buyers and sellers understand the questions they should be asking before committing to an NDIS business transaction - and avoid discovering costly issues after the deal is done.

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3.00pm - 3.30pm 
The 4 New SIL Practice Standards: What Brisbane NDIS Providers need to have Audit-Ready in 2026

Christine Mudavanhu

UC Compliance 

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From 1 July 2026, SIL providers face new mandatory registration requirements and supplementary SIL Practice Standards.

For providers, audit readiness now goes beyond having the right policies—it requires demonstrating that compliant, participant-centred practice is happening consistently in participants' homes.

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This practical session explores the four new SIL Practice Standards:

Supported Decision-Making – demonstrating genuine participant choice, control and involvement in everyday decisions.
Safeguarding – identifying and managing risks while protecting participants' rights, dignity and independence.
Practice Governance – demonstrating competent workers, effective oversight and consistent quality across homes and shifts.
Tenancy, Housing and Support Arrangements – ensuring transparent arrangements and clear separation between housing and SIL supports.

Delegates will learn what these standards mean in everyday operations, the types of evidence that can demonstrate compliance, and how to identify gaps between organisational policies and frontline practice.

Key takeaway: In 2026, SIL audit readiness isn't simply about what's written in your policies—it's about whether you can demonstrate that those policies are working in practice.

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3.30pm - 3.40pm 

Q & A and panel 

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3.45pm - 5.00pm

Networking and depart