Ability Assist is a ‘for-purpose’ organisation dedicated to providing support to people, with disability, children, young people, and their families, to pursue a better life by promoting choice and control.
We recognise that risks inherently exist in our operating environment, and we are strongly committed to mitigating and preventing those risks, such as all forms of abuse, including financial abuse, fraud, corruption, and misconduct.

Acts of fraud and corruption are illegal, and Ability Assist has zero tolerance for such behaviour as outlined in our Zero Tolerance Policy and Procedure. This policy protects clients from all forms of abuse. We are committed to preventing, detecting, and responding to acts of fraud or corruption. Fraud prevention is the responsibility of all Ability Assist staff.

All staff play a crucial role in reducing Ability Assist’s exposure to fraudulent activity by behaving ethically, consistent with Ability Assist’s values, policies, procedures, and Code of Conduct, and by reporting any incidents of suspected fraud through their managers or supervisors.

Ability Assist fully supports and endorses the NDIS Fraud Strategy. We ensure our policies procedures and practices are contemporary and that they reflect the principles that underpin the NDIS Fraud Strategy. We ensure that all staff remain compliant hold and maintain the relevant safety screening requirements applicable to their roles. Our strong history of NDIS compliance is a testament to our commitment.

Ability Assist works to prevent fraud targeting clients by:

• Ensuring all staff are screened, verified, and remain compliant.
• Ensuring clients understand their responsibilities in managing the information they share with Ability Assist and their support workers.
• Ensuring all staff understand their roles and responsibilities in preventing abuse, including fraud, as per Ability Assist’s Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy & Procedure
• Ensuring all staff understand what fraud is, how to identify it, and how to report it.
• Monitoring potential fraudulent behaviours through analytics tools and systems.
• Maintaining an Incident Management system focused on continuous improvement.
• Developing, maintaining and constantly reviewing robust financial management systems and processes.
• Embedding ethical values within Ability Assist.
• Developing a culture of no-retribution for fraud reporting, as per Ability Assist’s Whistleblower Policy.
• Developing and maintaining an Incident Management Plan and Conflict of Interest Register.
• Conducting regular internal and external audits.

Ability Assist works to prevent fraud of NDIS funding by:

• Ensuring staff who assist participants in managing their financial affairs do so honestly, transparently, and accountably, as per Ability Assist’s Money or Property (Participant) Policy and Procedure.
• Continually monitoring participants’ allocated support funds to identify potential fraudulent bookings or behaviours.
• Ensuring all clients have an Ability Assist Service Agreement.
• Ensuring all clients engage with services and supports that align with the NDIS Practice Standards.
• Reviewing individual support needs every 12 months.
• Educating clients and support workers on obligations and reporting options.
• Suspending or terminating employment based on Ability Assist’s Code of Conduct for Support Workers.

Ability Assist ensures an effective response to fraud by:

• Having a robust incident management system.
• Acting swiftly to investigate suspected fraud, corruption, or misconduct.
• Reporting any proven fraud to the Risk & Safety Committee, the Board, and regulatory bodies, including the NDIS and DFFH.
• Reporting fraud to the NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce and the police.
• Working with affected persons to prevent recurrence.
• Suspending or terminating employment based on Ability Assist’s employment policies and procedures.

Has an incident occurred? If you would like to discuss an incident with us, in a safe and confidential environment, please contact the team at (03) 9306 1770.