NDIS Roster of Care Templates and Best Practices

Navigating the NDIS can be complex, especially when planning for round-the-clock support. The "Roster of Care" is a crucial part of developing and implementing effective supports, particularly for participants who require consistent staffing. This guide explains everything you need to know about NDIS Roster of Care templates, their role in disability support, best practices, and how to ensure you’re using them effectively—whether you’re a provider, support coordinator, carer, or participant. [object Object]

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What is a NDIS Roster of Care?

A Roster of Care (ROC) is a structured timetable that outlines the supports a person funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) receives. It specifically details:

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• When supports are delivered (time of day, day of week)
• Who is providing the support (e.g., support worker, registered nurse)
• The type and duration of support for each shift or service period [object Object]

In essence, it’s a planning, budgeting, and accountability tool that ensures NDIS participants’ needs are met efficiently and in line with their approved funding.

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Why is a Roster of Care Important?

[object Object] A comprehensive Roster of Care is essential because:

• Ensures compliance with NDIS price guides and rules [object Object]
• Facilitates accurate budget management within NDIS funding plans
• Improves the reliability and consistency of support worker schedules
• Informs participants, families, and providers about who will provide support and when [object Object]
• Provides vital evidence for funding requests or reviews, especially where 24/7 or High Intensity Supports are involved
• Enhances safety, quality, and continuity of care, reducing risks of gaps

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How to Create and Use a Roster of Care

[object Object] Effective Rosters of Care are developed as a collaborative process. Here’s how you can go about it:

1. Gather Participant Information

• Current NDIS plan and goals [object Object]
• Support needs (e.g., personal care, meal prep, community access)
• Regular routines, preferred times, medical/nursing requirements

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2. Map Out Typical Weekly Schedule

• Use a template (spreadsheet, table, or NDIS ROC template)
• Break down each day in 15-min, 30-min, or hourly intervals
• Assign specific supports and staff to each interval [object Object]

3. Identify Overnight and High-Intensity Needs

• Indicate active vs. inactive overnight support
• Clearly show high-intensity periods (complex medical or behavioural needs) [object Object]

4. Match Supports to Funding Categories

• Core Supports (e.g., Assistance with Daily Living)
• Capacity Building [object Object]
• Community Participation
• Allied Health/therapies

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5. Review for Accuracy and Budget Alignment

• Sum total hours, weekly/monthly totals, and projected annual cost
• Confirm alignment with NDIS Plan funding

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6. Get Sign-off From Stakeholders

• Participant (or nominee), support coordinator, providers, and, where appropriate, NDIS planner/LAC

7. Regularly Update

• Review roster after plan reviews, significant life changes, or observed inefficiencies [object Object]

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Roster of Care in the Context of Australian Migration

While the Roster of Care is primarily for managing supports under the NDIS, it can intersect with Australian migration in a few key ways:

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• Sponsorship of Overseas Workers: Providers may use ROCs to justify the need for sponsoring skilled overseas care workers (e.g., skilled visa 482, DAMA, etc.), especially in remote/rural areas experiencing workforce shortages.
• Participant Relocation: New migrants with disabilities, or NDIS participants transitioning from overseas, will use ROCs to demonstrate daily support requirements and assist service providers with smooth transitions.
• Care Agency Accreditation: Agencies seeking to sponsor staff or support newly arrived participants may need to supply ROC evidence to migration authorities or support onboarding. [object Object]

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Key Benefits and Features of a Strong Roster of Care

• Transparency: Everyone knows who is delivering support and when.
• Predictability: Participants can plan their lives better with a known routine. [object Object]
• Resource Allocation: Providers avoid over- or under-scheduling staff.
• Funding Evidence: Makes plan review/support requests to NDIS easier with clear data.
• Risk Mitigation: Allows for forward-planning in case of unplanned staff absences. [object Object]

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Common Challenges and Solutions

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Professions Typically Involved with Roster of Care

[object Object] You might encounter these professionals in Roster of Care planning:

• Support Coordinators [object Object]
• NDIS Registered Providers (e.g., SIL Providers)
• Allied Health Professionals (OTs, Psychologists, Nurses)
• Plan Managers [object Object]
• NDIS Participants and Nominees
• NDIS Planners & Local Area Coordinators (LACs)

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Example Scenarios

[object Object] Scenario 1: Shared Supported Independent Living

• Three participants share a home, each with distinct needs
• ROC template displays both shared (group) support and individual hours [object Object]
• Highlights overlap in community participation, but separate hours for personal care

Scenario 2: 1:1 High-Intensity Support [object Object]

• Participant with complex physical and behavioural support needs