What to Expect in Your Audit Interview

Demystifying the Audit Interview

Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, welcome back to the EnableUs Community Podcast, everyone. I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today, we’re diving into something that, honestly, makes a lot of NDIS providers a bit nervous—yeah, the audit interview. Winter, do you remember your first one?

Winter, EnableUs Community: Oh, absolutely. I think I lost sleep for a week before it! But once you know what to expect, it’s not as scary as it sounds. So, let’s break it down—what actually is an audit interview? It’s basically a structured chat between the auditor and key people in your organisation. Sometimes it’s in person, sometimes online, but the goal’s always the same: to see how your policies work in real life, not just on paper.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and it’s not just the boss in the hot seat, right? Auditors usually want to talk to a mix of people—directors, support staff, sometimes admin or compliance folks. Basically, anyone who’s got a hand in making sure things run smoothly and safely.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. And the questions aren’t meant to trip you up. They’re more like, “How do you handle a complaint?” or “What’s your process if there’s an incident?” Or even, “How do you make sure staff are trained properly?” It’s all about showing that your team actually understands and applies your policies.

Will, EnableUs Community: I think a lot of people worry they’ll get caught out, but honestly, auditors just want to see that you’re doing what you say you do. Like, if you’ve got a process for reporting incidents, can your staff actually explain it? That’s what they’re looking for.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and I remember before our first online audit interview, we actually sat down as a team and clarified who was responsible for what. We didn’t want anyone to feel put on the spot, so we made sure everyone knew their role and what they might be asked. It made a huge difference—people felt way more confident going in.

Will, EnableUs Community: That’s such a good point. Just knowing who’s gonna be in the room, or on the call, and what they’re likely to talk about, takes a lot of the pressure off.

Preparation is Key

Winter, EnableUs Community: So, let’s talk about getting ready. I mean, you can’t just wing it, right? Briefing your team is massive. Go over your policies together, especially the ones about complaints, incidents, and risk management. Make sure everyone knows where to find the documents, or who to ask if they’re not sure.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and I reckon it’s important to remind people that it’s okay not to know everything off the top of their head. If you get a question and you’re not sure, just say, “I’d check our policy on that,” or explain how you’d find the answer. Auditors actually appreciate honesty more than someone trying to bluff their way through.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Totally. And using real examples helps too. Like, if you’ve handled a tricky complaint or a safety incident, talk about what you did—obviously without sharing private details. It shows you’re not just ticking boxes, you’re actually living your policies.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, I remember this one director—he was a bit nervous, but when the auditor asked about incident management, he just told the story of a real situation they’d had. He explained what happened, how they followed the process, and what they learned from it. The auditor loved it. It was way better than just reciting the policy word for word.

Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s the thing, isn’t it? Auditors want to see that you’re actually applying what’s written down, not just memorising it. And if you don’t know something, just be upfront. Say, “I’m not sure, but I’d check with our compliance officer,” or whatever’s true for your team.

Will, EnableUs Community: And don’t forget to keep everyone calm. It’s easy to get flustered, but if you’ve prepped together, you’ll feel more like a team. That makes a big difference on the day.

Beyond Compliance: Showcasing Values and Culture

Winter, EnableUs Community: So, here’s the bit I actually enjoy—using the audit interview to show off your organisation’s values. It’s not just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s a chance to show how you put participant rights and safety at the centre of everything you do.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, like, if you’ve got a culture where staff feel comfortable raising concerns, or where participants are genuinely listened to, that comes through in the interview. It’s not just about having the right answers, it’s about showing you care about quality and rights in practice.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. I remember one audit where a support worker talked about how they encouraged a participant to make choices about their own support, even when it was a bit tricky. The auditor picked up on that straight away—it showed we weren’t just following rules, we were living our values.

Will, EnableUs Community: And open communication is huge. If your team’s used to talking honestly with each other, that confidence comes across in the interview. You get a more unified, genuine response, and auditors can tell when people are on the same page.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and honestly, if you’ve built a strong culture, the audit interview is just another way to show it off. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real and committed to doing the right thing.

Will, EnableUs Community: Couldn’t have said it better. Alright, that’s probably a good place to wrap up for today. If you’re prepping for an audit interview, remember—it’s your chance to shine, not just survive. We’ll be back soon with more tips and stories to help you ace your NDIS audits.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Thanks for tuning in, everyone. Will, always a pleasure chatting with you.

Will, EnableUs Community: You too, Winter. Take care, everyone, and we’ll catch you next time on the EnableUs Community Podcast. Bye!

Winter, EnableUs Community: Bye!