Audio Coursesby JellypodLesson 03 of 17
Overview
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, welcome back to Inside NDIS! I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today, we’re getting into the nitty gritty of line items—what they are, why they matter, and how to actually make sense of them. Winter, you ready to demystify some codes?
Winter, EnableUs Community: Absolutely, Will. I feel like line items are one of those things that everyone’s heard of, but when you actually have to explain them, it’s like—wait, what even is a line item? So, let’s start there. In the NDIS world, a line item is basically a code for a specific support or service. It’s like a barcode, but for the stuff you deliver, right?
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, exactly. And each line item tells you what service you’re providing, how much you can charge, and which funding category it comes from—Core, Capacity Building, or Capital. So, if you’re looking at a participant’s plan, those categories are where the money sits, and the line items are how you actually claim it. I always think of it like, you know, the Support Catalogue Spreadsheet is your best mate here. I remember this one time, I had a participant who needed a very specific type of transport support, and the plan just said “transport.” I had to dig through the Support Catalogue to find the exact line item that matched what they needed. It took a bit, but once I found it, everything just clicked—no more confusion, no awkward phone calls with the plan manager. It’s all about matching the right code to the right service.
Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s such a good point. And honestly, the Support Catalogue is updated pretty regularly, so if you’re not checking it, you can end up using the wrong code or even an old price. I mean, I’ve done it—used a line item that was out of date because I hadn’t checked the latest version. It’s not fun when you have to fix it later.
Winter, EnableUs Community: So, let’s talk about actually picking the right line item. There’s a few things you’ve gotta think about—like, what service are you delivering, are you registered for that group, what time or day is it, and even where you’re delivering it. Remote area loadings, all that stuff. It’s not just about picking the first code that looks close enough.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and I reckon the most common mistake I see is people using the wrong day or time code. Like, they’ll put in a weekday rate for a Saturday shift, and then wonder why the claim gets rejected. Or, they forget to update the price when the new Support Catalogue comes out in July. It’s easy to do, but it can really mess with your cash flow.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Oh, totally. And don’t get me started on group settings. If you switch from group to one-on-one, you have to update the line item, or you’ll end up with a mismatch. I actually started keeping a cheat sheet of the line items we use the most—just a quick reference for my team. It’s saved us so much time, especially during audits. Instead of scrambling to double-check codes, we just pull up the cheat sheet and cross-reference with the latest Support Catalogue. It’s not fancy, but it works.
Will, EnableUs Community: That’s a great hack. I mean, I might steal that idea, to be honest. And, like, double-checking that you’re only claiming for services you’re actually registered for—sounds obvious, but it’s easy to slip up if you’re in a rush. I always say, if you’re not sure, check the participant’s plan and the Support Catalogue. Saves a lot of headaches.
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, so you’ve picked the right line item, but now you’ve gotta explain it to the participant. And honestly, most people don’t care about the code—they just want to know what they’re being charged for. So, instead of rattling off “line item 01011010711 with TTP rates,” I’ll say something like, “This is the NDIS code for weekday personal care, which matches your plan and makes sure your funding’s used properly.” It’s about making it make sense for them, not just ticking a box.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. I always try to keep it simple—like, “This is how the NDIS tracks your services, so everything lines up with your funding.” It’s about building trust, right? If participants understand what’s on their invoice or agreement, they’re way less likely to be confused or worried. And speaking of invoices, always put the line item code on there. It’s not just for compliance—it actually speeds up claims and makes things clearer for everyone.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and chucking the line item into your service agreement as well—just makes it all transparent. Plus, if you’re training your team, make sure they know how to pick and explain line items. I reckon regular reviews of the Support Catalogue are a must, too. Prices and codes change, and you don’t wanna get caught out using last year’s info.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Couldn’t agree more. I mean, it’s not the most exciting part of the job, but it’s one of those things that, if you get it right, everything else just runs smoother. Less errors, less back-and-forth, and participants feel more confident in your service. So, yeah, take the time to get your head around line items, keep your resources up to date, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re not sure.
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, I think that’s a wrap for today. Hopefully we’ve made line items a bit less scary and a bit more useful. Winter, always a pleasure chatting with you about this stuff.
Winter, EnableUs Community: You too, Will. And thanks to everyone for tuning in. We’ll be back soon with more tips on NDIS pricing and budgeting, so keep an eye out. Take care!
Will, EnableUs Community: Catch you next time, everyone!
