Interpreting Your Audit Outcome , What Next?

Understanding the Audit Outcome

Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, welcome back to the EnableUs Community Podcast. I’m Will, and as always, I’m joined by Winter. Today, we’re diving into what happens after the audit—interpreting your outcome and figuring out what’s next. Winter, I reckon this is the bit that makes people the most nervous, right?

Winter, EnableUs Community: Absolutely, Will. I think a lot of providers breathe a sigh of relief when the audit day is over, but then there’s that anxious wait for the results. And it’s not always clear what the feedback actually means, especially when you get that first verbal summary from the auditors. It’s like, “Was that good? Was that bad? Should I be worried?”

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and that verbal summary at the end of the audit—it’s not the official word, but it does give you a bit of a heads-up. I remember my first time sitting in one of those feedback sessions. I was expecting a grilling, but honestly, it was more like a friendly debrief. The auditor just ran through their general impressions, pointed out a couple of things we’d done well, and flagged a few areas that might need a closer look. It really helped take the edge off, even though I knew the real report was still coming.

Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s such a good point. The verbal feedback is just a snapshot, not the final verdict. The real detail comes in the audit report, which usually lands about a week or so later. And that’s where you see the compliance rating, a list of what you’re doing right—your conformities—and then any non-conformities, which are the gaps you need to address.

Will, EnableUs Community: Exactly. And the report breaks it down pretty clearly. You’ll see if you’re fully compliant, or if there are minor or major non-conformities. Full compliance is obviously the dream—no further action, just keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’ve got a minor or major non-conformity, don’t panic. It’s not a punishment, it’s just a heads-up that something needs fixing.

Winter, EnableUs Community: And the report usually includes recommendations for improvement, too. Those aren’t mandatory, but they’re super helpful if you want to keep building on your systems. So, whether you’re celebrating or facing a few fixes, the audit outcome is really your starting point for the next steps.

Corrective Actions and Clarifying Requirements

Winter, EnableUs Community: So, let’s talk about those non-conformities. There’s a big difference between full, minor, and major non-conformities. Minor ones are usually low-risk—maybe a policy needs updating or a bit of extra training for staff. Major non-conformities are more serious, like a process that’s missing entirely or something that could put participants at risk. But again, these aren’t punishments. They’re just signals that something needs attention.

Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and I think a lot of people get spooked by the word “non-conformity.” But honestly, it’s so common, especially for first-timers. The important thing is what you do next. You’ll usually have between 20 and 60 days to submit your corrective actions. That means updating your policies, maybe running a bit of staff training, and then sending through evidence to the auditor. And if you’re not sure what’s needed, just ask. Auditors or compliance consultants are there to help clarify things.

Winter, EnableUs Community: I actually worked with a provider who got a major non-conformity around their incident management process. At first, they were pretty rattled, but instead of panicking, they brought their team together, reviewed the feedback, and used it as a chance to upskill everyone. They rewrote their procedures, ran a couple of training sessions, and even got staff to role-play different scenarios. When they submitted their corrective actions, not only did they address the non-conformity, but their whole team felt more confident and prepared for the future.

Will, EnableUs Community: That’s such a good example. It’s not just about ticking a box for the auditor—it’s about actually improving how things work day-to-day. And sometimes, those corrective actions end up making your service stronger than it was before. Plus, if you’re ever confused about what the auditor wants, don’t be shy about reaching out. It’s better to ask than to guess and get it wrong.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. And remember, the goal isn’t to catch you out—it’s to help you deliver safer, better services. So, treat the process as a partnership, not a test.

Registration Decisions and Strategic Improvement

Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, so you’ve submitted your corrective actions—what happens next? The auditor sends your report and all your evidence off to the NDIS Commission. They’re the ones who make the final call: approve, defer, or deny your registration. Most of the time, if you’ve addressed everything, you’ll get approved and receive your certificate. But sometimes, they might ask for more info, or in rare cases, defer or deny the application.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and if your application’s deferred, it’s not the end of the world. It just means you need to fix a few things and resubmit—usually without having to go through another full audit. If it’s denied, which is pretty rare, you can request a review or reapply once you’ve sorted out the issues. And if you ever feel like you’re not ready, you can even withdraw and come back when you’re more confident.

Will, EnableUs Community: I think the key takeaway is that the audit report isn’t just a pass/fail thing. It’s actually a blueprint for making your service better. I know a provider who, after getting their report, used it to overhaul their whole approach. They didn’t just fix the non-conformities—they used the recommendations to strengthen their policies, improve staff training, and even update how they collect participant feedback. A year later, their team was more confident, and their clients noticed the difference too.

Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Using the audit as a springboard for real, lasting improvement—not just compliance for compliance’s sake. And if you keep that mindset, every audit becomes a chance to grow, not just a hurdle to clear.

Will, EnableUs Community: Couldn’t agree more. Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode. If you’re still feeling a bit lost about your audit outcome, remember you’re not alone—reach out, ask questions, and use your report as a tool for progress. We’ll be back soon with more tips and stories from the NDIS world. Winter, thanks for another great chat.

Winter, EnableUs Community: Thanks, Will. And thanks to everyone for tuning in. Take care, and we’ll catch you next time on the EnableUs Community Podcast.