# NDIS Business: Visual Blueprint

This document provides visual representations of the core operational structures, business processes, and the necessary licenses and systems required to run a standard NDIS services company.

---

## 1. Standard NDIS Company Organizational Chart

Based on standard industry structures for mid-sized NDIS providers, here is a typical organizational hierarchy. Note how compliance and rostering are separated from direct support to maintain quality control.

```mermaid
graph TD
    %% Styling
    classDef exec fill:#1565c0,color:#fff,stroke:#0d47a1,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef management fill:#64b5f6,color:#000,stroke:#1e88e5,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef staff fill:#e3f2fd,color:#000,stroke:#64b5f6,stroke-width:2px;

    CEO[CEO / General Manager]:::exec
    
    %% Department Heads
    COMP[Quality & Compliance Manager]:::management
    OPS[Operations / Service Delivery Manager]:::management
    FIN[Finance & Billing Manager]:::management
    HR[HR & Recruitment Coordinator]:::management

    CEO --> COMP
    CEO --> OPS
    CEO --> FIN
    CEO --> HR

    %% Operations Branch
    ROST[Rostering & Scheduling Team]:::staff
    CS[Client Intake / Support Coordinators]:::staff
    SW[Support Workers / Allied Health Professionals]:::staff

    OPS --> ROST
    OPS --> CS
    OPS --> SW

    %% Compliance Branch
    COMP --> INC[Incident Reporting & Auditing]:::staff

    %% Finance Branch
    FIN --> PAY[Payroll & NDIS Claiming]:::staff
```

---

## 2. Key Business Processes

Operating an NDIS business requires strict adherence to documented processes. Below is the lifecycle of the core operational engine—from acquiring a client to getting paid.

```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
    participant Client as NDIS Participant
    participant Intake as Client Intake Team
    participant Roster as Rostering / Ops
    participant Worker as Support Worker
    participant Finance as Finance / Billing
    participant NDIS as NDIS PRODA Portal

    Note over Client,Intake: 1. INTAKE & ONBOARDING
    Client->>Intake: Referral received
    Intake->>Client: Conduct Intake Assessment & Risk Profile
    Intake->>Client: Sign Service Agreement & Consent Forms
    
    Note over Intake,Roster: 2. SCHEDULING & MATCHING
    Intake->>Roster: Create Client Profile & Budget in CRM
    Roster->>Worker: Match worker (skills, clearances, availability)
    Roster->>Client: Confirm schedule

    Note over Worker,Finance: 3. SERVICE DELIVERY
    Worker->>Client: Deliver Support Service
    Worker->>Roster: Submit Shift Notes & Timesheet (via Mobile App)
    
    Note over Finance,NDIS: 4. BILLING & PAYROLL (The Financial Engine)
    Roster->>Finance: Approve Timesheets
    Finance->>Worker: Process Payroll (SCHADS Award compliance)
    Finance->>NDIS: Bulk Upload Claims (Agency-Managed) via API
    NDIS-->>Finance: Funds Deposited (Usually 48 hours)
```

---

## 3. Licenses, Credentials & Clearances

To legally operate, the business and its staff must hold the following credentials. 

| License / Clearance | Who Needs It? | Purpose | Issuing Authority |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **NDIS Certificate of Registration** | The Company | Legally allows the business to operate as a Registered Provider and claim funds directly from the NDIA. | NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission |
| **NDIS Worker Screening Check** | All Staff | A mandatory, specialized national background and police check for anyone interacting with participants. | State/Territory Screening Units |
| **AHPRA Registration** | Allied Health Staff | Professional license required if delivering therapeutic supports (e.g., Occupational Therapists, Psychologists). | AHPRA |
| **Working with Children Check (WWCC)** | Applicable Staff | Required if the company provides any supports to participants under the age of 18. | State/Territory Governments |
| **First Aid & CPR** | Support Workers | Mandatory safety certification, usually required to be renewed annually (CPR) and triennially (First Aid). | Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) |

---

## 4. Required IT Systems & Architecture

An NDIS business cannot rely on manual spreadsheets due to the complexity of the NDIS pricing limits and award wages. You need an integrated tech stack.

```mermaid
graph LR
    %% Styling
    classDef gov fill:#ef9a9a,color:#000,stroke:#c62828;
    classDef core fill:#a5d6a7,color:#000,stroke:#2e7d32;
    classDef support fill:#ce93d8,color:#000,stroke:#6a1b9a;

    subgraph Government Portals
        PRODA[PRODA Identity System]:::gov
        MYPLACE[NDIS myplace Portal]:::gov
        COMM[NDIS Commission Portal]:::gov
    end

    subgraph Core Business Software
        CRM[NDIS CRM & Rostering <br/> e.g., Lumary, ShiftCare]:::core
        APP[Mobile App for Workers <br/> Timesheets & Notes]:::core
    end

    subgraph Support Software
        ACCT[Accounting & Payroll <br/> e.g., Xero, MYOB]:::support
        HRIS[HR & Onboarding <br/> e.g., EmploymentHero]:::support
    end

    %% Connections
    PRODA -. Authenticates .-> MYPLACE
    PRODA -. Authenticates .-> COMM
    
    CRM <-->|API Claims & Budgets| MYPLACE
    APP -->|Shift Data| CRM
    CRM -->|Timesheet Data| ACCT
    HRIS -->|Staff Data| CRM
```