Providers can either be registered with the NDIS, or unregistered. The main difference is that clients who have their funding managed by NDIS (rather than self managed or managed by a professional independent plan manager) must receive services from a registered provider. This is only a small percentage of the people that receive NDIS funding. Both registered and unregistered providers are heavily regulated and must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct. People are able to make a complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission about both registered and unregistered providers.

Can I use unregistered providers?

The simplest answer is if you’re plan managed or self-managed, then yes you can use your NDIS funds to pay for services from unregistered providers. If the services are relevant to you achieving your goals, then you can use your funding to pay for this for any provider (registered or unregistered). The NDIS actually encourages people with disabilities to choose the provider that best suits you, regardless of whether the provider is registered or not – the NDIS wants to ensure that you have as much choice as possible in choosing your provider, to get the support you need.

Stella Life Care is in the process of becoming a registered provider to ensure everyone who seeks our services can receive them. Many businesses provide services to a range of clients, not just people with disability such as personal trainers, some psychologists and other allied health providers, gardening and mowing businesses, home care and support businesses, and transport providers. These businesses may choose to not become NDIS registered because they provide services to a wide range of people and are not disability specific services. Despite the status of registered or unregistered, it’s important to ask how will this provider and business support YOU to achieve your goals and meet your needs.

In the Whitsundays, there are only a limited number of registered providers and a much larger network of unregistered providers. By only considering registered providers you may be limiting your options.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/what-service-provider

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As part of our journey, we’ve been thinking how to explain exactly what we do, and why and how we do it – what we keep coming back to is … it’s all about People!

Our co-founders Faileen James, Bruce Button and Sarah Holland created Stella Life Care after much feedback from the local community that individuals were struggling to find a community and home care solution that felt right and empowered them to live their best life. They felt that the ‘people connection’ was missing with some other service providers and that Whitsunday residents deserved greater choice and a more personalised approach. The founders decided to create a better option.

The result is Stella Life Care, a new local provider that’s changing home care and disability support to ensure that it revolves around people… from our clients and team members to the connections we have and will continue to build in the wider community. We take the time to find out what’s important to you, your preferences and how we can tailor services that support you to live your best life.

People are at the centre of everything we do

“At Stella Life Care,” Ms James says, “we see all our clients as people, not numbers, not revenue, not names on a roster or in a government service plan. We work directly with people to ensure that they are truly at the centre of everything that we do. We employ team members who are respectful, caring, and enthusiastic.   Our team members have a genuine interest in empowering people to become as self-reliant and independent as possible. We match clients and team members for skills and hobbies – we understand that everyone is different and want to socialise with people who have similar interests.” We have also recruited people with disabilities as admin team members – people who really understand the challenges our clients face everyday.

A rewarding and full life is about people and the connections we have. Strong relationships are the key to happiness, health and wellbeing. When you’re a Stella Life Care client, instead of being supported by someone you’ve never met or don’t like, you’re in full control of choosing your team of workers, what activities you do and when you’d like to do those activities.

Find your people!

You might want team members who can dance, who love fishing, are crafty or can teach you how to cook Mexican food! Perhaps you want a team member who has lots of experience with personal assistance or enjoys gardening, or someone who is a classic car enthusiast. Stella Life Care can help you to make this support happen!

Whether you’re looking for disability or aged care services – either through your NDIS or Home Care package or privately funded – you’ll find your kind of people at Stella Life Care. Visit our website: www.stellalife.com.au to find out more and connect with us today.

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