NDIS Reform: Why Strong Evidence Matters More Than Ever for Home and Living Applications
- Jackie Santi
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 12
With the rollout of the NDIS reform, we are seeing a significant shift in funded support levels, moving from intensive 2:1 ratio to 1:3 support care models. The reduction in support models is contributing to participants being left without support, triggering hospital admissions and in some cases resulting in providers withdrawing services due to challenges with risk mitigation with the reduction in support ratios.
This shift highlights a critical truth: robust, evidence-based documentation is essential.
To prevent participants from not receiving the supports that they need, we must present clear, targeted, and aligned evidence that justifies support needs and demonstrates functional impact.
Through ongoing collaboration with Complex Support Needs Planners, I’ve identified the below key evidence inclusions that strengthen Home and Living applications and support participants in receiving the supports they require.
Supporting Independent Living (SIL) Supports- What to Include
To secure SIL funding, especially for higher support ratios or high-intensity needs, your evidence must be clear, comprehensive, and aligned with NDIA expectations.
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) from an OT.
Ensure the FCA accurately describes what the previous Home and Living decision was, and why this is no longer sufficient, directly linked to current evidence.
SIL Roster of Care
Including a SIL Roster of Care with proposed funding levels to clearly show what level of support the participant requires across a 24/7 period.
Manual Handling Plan
Required for 2:1 support and must clearly define and detail the following:
The role of each staff member
Equipment used and safety checks
Communication with the participant and checks for comfort
An awareness of risk present and risk mitigation
Example (Weak):
Transfer from bed to wheelchair: Staff assist with hoist
Example (Strong):
Transfer from bed to wheelchair using a full-body hoist (2:1 support required)
Role of staff member 1: Operating the hoist and communicating with teh participant during the transfer while ensuring that the sling is correctly positioned and secured.
Role of staff member 2: Assisting with guiding the participants body to the correct positioning while monitoring signs of discomfort and/or stress and ensuring the wheelchair is in the correct position and that the brakes are applied.
Safety considerations: Ensuring that the sling loops are attached securely before lifting. Maintaining verbal communication with the participant and checking for any discomfort experienced. Assessing for any obstacles in the transfer path.
Behavioural Support Plans (BSP)
Comprehensive or Interim BSP required if 2:1 supports are due to behaviours.
High Intensity Support Evidence
Linked to the 8 High Intensity Support Skill Descriptors, with allied health reports:
Complex Bowel Care → Continence Assessment + Care Plan
Behavioural Support → Incident Reports (1 per shift, compiled with raw data)
Additional Allied Health Reports
Speech Therapy Reports (Swallowing/Dysphagia)
Physiotherapy Reports (Mobility/Transfer)
Active overnights: What NDIS Needs to See
A participant is highly unlikely to get approved for active overnights without a detailed sleep log. The sleep log must show:
Evidence of support, within the overnight window, 10 PM to 6 AM, as this is NDIA’s sleep window.
It must show more than 2 hours of hands-on support during the entire sleepover window.
Tip: If awake 4 times in the night for 20 minutes each, this is still under 2 hours and is not considered an active overnight
When recording the Sleep/Awake windows in the Sleep Log, NDIS requires information on what the support workers are doing overnight, and it needs to include duration to show 2+ hours total.
Sleep log example - click to download
NDIS Technical Advisory Team: Who They Are & What They Do
The NDIS Technical Advisory Team (TAT) plays a critical role in ensuring that complex support needs are accurately assessed and appropriately funded. They provide expert guidance on interpreting NDIS legislation, aligning evidence with policy, and reviewing high-risk or high-cost applications—especially in areas like Home & Living, SIL, and High Intensity Supports.
Key Functions:
Review and advise on complex or escalated applications
Ensure consistency with NDIS operational guidelines
Support planners and delegates in interpreting evidence
Recommend adjustments or additional documentation to strengthen cases
Provide feedback on gaps, risks, and alignment with ‘reasonable and necessary ‘criteria
This further emphasises the need for the reports submitted to be strong and in line with operational guidelines for the best chance of success.
For further tips on how to present the best case for the Technical Advisory Team for review, please review the following document:
Wrap up: Strengthening Your Evidence, Outcomes and Useful Links
Submitting evidence that is clear, robust, well-aligned, and consistent whilst covering the key criteria and information that NDIS is seeking strengthens the applications, quality of the evidence, and allows for the NDIS Technical Advisory Team to interpret this information for planners/delegates accurately.
For further guidance and useful links, please check out these official NDIS resources:
Questions Regarding NDIS Home and Living Applications?
If you have any questions or would like to ask our Specialist Support Coordinators about our Assessment of Support Requirements (ASR) process that supports with evidence gathering, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our specialist support team is here to guide on your journey, every step of the way.
Click below to download our free resource on NDIS Reform: Why Strong Evidence Matters More Than Ever for Home and Living Applications
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