Calls for Mandatory NDIS Provider Registration Intensify Following Sudden Death
The death of a man with disability at an unregistered housing facility has triggered a police investigation and renewed demands for provider registration within Australia’s NDIS framework.
On March 14, 2025, a 42-year-old man residing in an NDIS-supported housing facility in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane, died suddenly.
The facility, operated by Core and Capacity, was not formally registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which meant it was not subject to the same regulatory oversight as registered providers.
Public records from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) indicate that Core and Capacity had been placed into liquidation by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with the official winding-up of the company occurring five days after the man's death.
The ATO's application for liquidation had been lodged late last year.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is underway but stated that the death is not considered suspicious at this time.
A report will be compiled for the coroner.
Core and Capacity has declined to comment on the incident.
Registered NDIS providers must notify the Quality and Safeguards Commission (QSC) of 'reportable incidents,' including deaths, within 24 hours.
However, as Core and Capacity was not registered, it was not required to notify the QSC.
A deputy commissioner at the QSC indicated that inquiries are ongoing to understand the circumstances of the death, although it remains unclear how the QSC was notified.
The facility where the man lived was designated as an Individualised Living Option (ILO), providing a flexible form of support aimed at allowing participants greater autonomy in their living arrangements.
The circumstances of the death have reignited advocacy calls for mandatory registration of all NDIS service providers.
Disability advocates emphasize that such regulations could enhance oversight and protect the rights of participants.
Former minister Bill Shorten has received recommendations for mandatory registration from a review conducted in mid-2023, but a government response has yet to be released.
In response to inquiries, the office of NDIS Minister Amanda Rishworth deferred questions to the QSC, which stated it could not provide comments due to the government being in a caretaker role ahead of elections.
Catherine McAlpine, CEO of Inclusion Australia, underscored the need for mandatory registration, stating that without it, incidents of abuse and neglect could go undetected.
She remarked on the necessity for visibility in cases where individuals with disabilities face harm or death during their care.
Similarly, Matilda Alexander, CEO of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, expressed that registration is crucial for ensuring the recognition and protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities.
She asserted that all deaths in disability-specific accommodation should be subject to thorough reporting and investigation.
The conversation surrounding the registration of NDIS providers is complex, with advocates arguing for enhanced regulatory systems to ensure safety, while others raise concerns about potential limitations on participant choice and control over their support services.
Both Ms. McAlpine and Ms. Alexander noted that while registration is not a complete solution, it is an essential step towards safeguarding the welfare of persons with disabilities, particularly in response to the findings of the disability royal commission regarding the risks of abuse and neglect in such accommodations.
Advocates continue to push for the full implementation of recommendations made during the royal commission to mitigate risks of neglect, abuse, and violence.
The facility, operated by Core and Capacity, was not formally registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which meant it was not subject to the same regulatory oversight as registered providers.
Public records from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) indicate that Core and Capacity had been placed into liquidation by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with the official winding-up of the company occurring five days after the man's death.
The ATO's application for liquidation had been lodged late last year.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is underway but stated that the death is not considered suspicious at this time.
A report will be compiled for the coroner.
Core and Capacity has declined to comment on the incident.
Registered NDIS providers must notify the Quality and Safeguards Commission (QSC) of 'reportable incidents,' including deaths, within 24 hours.
However, as Core and Capacity was not registered, it was not required to notify the QSC.
A deputy commissioner at the QSC indicated that inquiries are ongoing to understand the circumstances of the death, although it remains unclear how the QSC was notified.
The facility where the man lived was designated as an Individualised Living Option (ILO), providing a flexible form of support aimed at allowing participants greater autonomy in their living arrangements.
The circumstances of the death have reignited advocacy calls for mandatory registration of all NDIS service providers.
Disability advocates emphasize that such regulations could enhance oversight and protect the rights of participants.
Former minister Bill Shorten has received recommendations for mandatory registration from a review conducted in mid-2023, but a government response has yet to be released.
In response to inquiries, the office of NDIS Minister Amanda Rishworth deferred questions to the QSC, which stated it could not provide comments due to the government being in a caretaker role ahead of elections.
Catherine McAlpine, CEO of Inclusion Australia, underscored the need for mandatory registration, stating that without it, incidents of abuse and neglect could go undetected.
She remarked on the necessity for visibility in cases where individuals with disabilities face harm or death during their care.
Similarly, Matilda Alexander, CEO of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, expressed that registration is crucial for ensuring the recognition and protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities.
She asserted that all deaths in disability-specific accommodation should be subject to thorough reporting and investigation.
The conversation surrounding the registration of NDIS providers is complex, with advocates arguing for enhanced regulatory systems to ensure safety, while others raise concerns about potential limitations on participant choice and control over their support services.
Both Ms. McAlpine and Ms. Alexander noted that while registration is not a complete solution, it is an essential step towards safeguarding the welfare of persons with disabilities, particularly in response to the findings of the disability royal commission regarding the risks of abuse and neglect in such accommodations.
Advocates continue to push for the full implementation of recommendations made during the royal commission to mitigate risks of neglect, abuse, and violence.
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