Prior to applying for TAC or WorkSafe registration, you should familiarise yourself with the relevant TAC disability service provider registration requirements.

General information regarding expectations for TAC providers can also be found on our working with the TAC page.

To register, you must be a Victorian provider and:

1. Consult with the TAC claims manager regarding the client's specific needs and the service type(s) that has been approved.
2. Complete the TAC and WorkSafe disability service provider registration form and declaration, for the service(s) the TAC or WorkSafe client is approved for.
3. Wait for the TAC to review the registration application. If the registration is approved to progress, the TAC will issue an ‘intent to fund’ letter to you and the Regulator.
4. On receipt of this letter, you then need to register with the Regulator. You should not contact the Regulator to register prior to receiving this letter.
5. You must submit evidence of successful registration with the Regulator (Notice of Decision letter) to the TAC, once received.
6. The application will be reviewed and authorised by an authorised officer of the TAC or WorkSafe. If the TAC or WorkSafe registration is approved and the service authorised, the TAC will issue written confirmation to you confirming that you are approved to commence delivery of the registered disability service(s).

All TAC and WorkSafe registered and authorised disability service providers are required to meet and maintain the registration requirements throughout the life of their registration.

Disability

Under the Disability Act 2006 (Vic), disability in relation to a person means:

1. a sensory, physical or neurological impairment or acquired brain injury or any combination thereof, which:

1. is, or is likely to be, permanent; and
2. causes a substantially reduced capacity in at least one of the areas of self-care, self-management, mobility or communication; and
3. requires significant ongoing or long-term episodic support; and
4. is not related to ageing; or

2. an intellectual disability; or
3. a developmental delay.

Disability services

Under the Social Services Regulations 2023 (Vic) Part 1 sub-regulation7(1)b, disability services means any of the following services funded by the TAC specifically for persons with a disability:

1. disability support services,
2. case management services,
3. training and skills development services that aim to increase or maintain the independent of persons with a disability, or
4. residential services for persons with a disability.

Interstate

For purposes of exempting providers from the need to register with the Regulator, the TAC and the Regulator have agreed that 'interstate' when used in reference to disability service providers means:

1. the provider is based outside of Victoria, and
2. the client services are delivered outside of Victoria.

Victorian

For purposes of the requirement to register with the Regulator, the TAC and the Regulator have agreed that 'Victorian' when used in reference to disability service providers means:

1. the provider is based in Victoria, and or
2. the client services are delivered in Victoria.

The TAC may consider paying for services provided by an outreach provider who does not meet the TAC’s disability service provider registration requirements if:

• the client does not have a disability, or

• the provider is ineligible to register with the Social Services Regulator because they are not providing services to a client with disability.

For WorkSafe only providers, please refer to the WorkSafe attendant care policy.

Attendant care providers must have a Recruitment and Retention Policy that outlines preferred qualifications (Certificate III in Disability or equivalent for attendant care) and training requirements, monitoring and evaluation for personnel.

Service providers are responsible for ensuring attendant care support workers meet the following minimum requirements and for ensuring that competence in these requirements is maintained over time.

• CPR
• First aid - including anaphylaxis
• Food safety
• Infection control
• Manual handling
• Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) Fire Safety Awareness Training
• Administration of medication

Adequate notice must be given to the TAC and WorkSafe to withdraw or terminate services. The timeframe will vary according to the situation but cannot be less than 28 days unless negotiated with the TAC.

Respite care

The attendant care policy applies where respite care is delivered as attendant care.

Post-acute support

Post-acute support must be delivered by a provider that has met the TAC’s attendant care provider registration requirements. Post acute support providers who are supporting clients without disability may be exempt from the TAC disability service provider registration requirements in exceptional circumstances.

Shared supported accommodation

See additional requirements for Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA).

Substitute care services

Substitute care services can be provided by:

• an attendant care provider who has met the TAC’s attendant care registration requirements, or
• another provider authorised by the TAC if the provider is not eligible to register with the Social Services Regulator because the client does not have a disability.

Case management providers can provide services if:

• they are registered with the TAC to deliver case management services, and
• they are qualified and experienced in delivering case management interventions to clients. Minimum qualifications are required to be at a diploma level and can include social work, community service work, disability work, allied health or nursing.

A community group program must provide proof of experience in providing programs for people with disabilities, to be registered by the TAC to provide services.

Respite services

The community access support services policy applies where respite is delivered as a community group program.

A community access planner must meet the following criteria to be registered by the TAC to provide services:

• Completed a minimum Certificate IV in either Disability or Recreation Studies.
• At least three years relevant experience in working with people with a disability.

Client Independence Skills Services (CISS) providers must ensure their workers:

• possess either an Associate Diploma or Certificate IV qualification in disability, community services or equivalent, and
• provide SMART client goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) that are consistent with the client's MyPlan focus on empowering the client to achieve pre-defined independence outcomes, and
• use a model of supported repetitive functional task practice.

The registration requirements and service standards of respite services depend on the services being delivered. See information for Attendant Care, Community Group Programs and Shared Supported Accommodation.

This information should be read in conjunction with our attendant care requirements.

Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA) providers must:

• have a specific TAC cent identified and confirmed with the TAC before SSA property enrolment can commence, and
• meet the TAC's Shared Supported Accommodation Property Enrolment requirement, and
• secure TAC disability service provider registration, and
• enrol all properties with the TAC where shared support is delivered.

SSA provider registration and property enrolment

The purpose of the SSA provider registration and property enrolment process is to enable providers to understand the requirements of the TAC that relate:

• to the quality of support provided to clients,
• the minimum standards for the properties in which services are delivered, and
• the provider’s registration obligations.

The TAC places the highest priority on quality and safeguarding for our clients, enabling clients to lead safe lives free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and preventable injury. Consistent with contemporary disability practice and standards, the TAC expects services to facilitate individuals’ autonomy, respect, wellbeing and participation.

How to apply

1. Secure TAC registration as an authorised disability service provider. You must first be authorised to deliver attendant care services. If you do not have TAC disability services provider registration, please do not proceed with SSA registration.
2. Meet the TAC’s SSA provider registration requirements.
3. Read and complete the Shared Supported Accommodation Provider Registration form . This includes:
   • Property enrolment criteria
   • Terms and conditions of registration
   • Signing the Declaration and Consent
4. Complete and sign a Shared Supported Accommodation Property Enrolment Application for each property at which SSA services will be provided to TAC/WorkSafe funded residents.
5. Submit forms and documents to the TAC. Email the completed forms and all supporting documents (as PDF files) to sectors@tac.vic.gov.au.

What happens next

The TAC will review your application and notify you of the outcome in writing. If a discrepancy arises with your submission, one of our representatives will contact you directly.

Registration will be for a three-year duration, after which time you will need to complete registration renewal and property re-enrolment attestation and may be required to provide updated third-party verification documentation to support re-registration.

Respite services

The TAC can pay for short-term stays in supported accommodation, to allow carers to have a break. This is called respite care. The supported accommodation policy applies in these circumstances.

To deliver Supported Employment Services to TAC clients, a provider must be an Australian Disability Enterprise that is registered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) under the category of ‘specialised supported employment’ and/or are independently assessed and certified under the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS) criteria.

Australian Disability Enterprises must demonstrate the provision of an accessible working environment and have undertaken a third-party quality assessment by way of certification or verification against the NDIS Practice Standards and/or the NSDS criteria.

An Australian Disability Enterprise must produce their certificate or verification listing the category ‘specialised employment support’ for delivering supported employment services if requested by the TAC.

Three-yearly recertification by an approved NDIS Approved Quality Auditor (AQA) must be provided to the TAC upon request.

Providers must notify the TAC immediately if at any time the NDIA revoke their status as a provider of ‘specialised supported employment’ and/or their certification under the NSDS criteria is revoked.

Prior to applying for TAC or WorkSafe registration, you should familiarise yourself with the relevant TAC disability service provider registration requirements.

General information regarding expectations for TAC providers can also be found on our working with the TAC page.

To register, you must be a Victorian provider and:

1. Consult with the TAC claims manager regarding the client's specific needs and the service type(s) that has been approved.
2. Complete the TAC and WorkSafe disability service provider registration form and declaration, for the service(s) the TAC or WorkSafe client is approved for.
3. Wait for the TAC to review the registration application. If the registration is approved to progress, the TAC will issue an ‘intent to fund’ letter to you and the Regulator.
4. On receipt of this letter, you then need to register with the Regulator. You should not contact the Regulator to register prior to receiving this letter.
5. You must submit evidence of successful registration with the Regulator (Notice of Decision letter) to the TAC, once received.
6. The application will be reviewed and authorised by an authorised officer of the TAC or WorkSafe. If the TAC or WorkSafe registration is approved and the service authorised, the TAC will issue written confirmation to you confirming that you are approved to commence delivery of the registered disability service(s).

All TAC and WorkSafe registered and authorised disability service providers are required to meet and maintain the registration requirements throughout the life of their registration.

Disability

Under the Disability Act 2006 (Vic), disability in relation to a person means:

1. a sensory, physical or neurological impairment or acquired brain injury or any combination thereof, which:

1. is, or is likely to be, permanent; and
2. causes a substantially reduced capacity in at least one of the areas of self-care, self-management, mobility or communication; and
3. requires significant ongoing or long-term episodic support; and
4. is not related to ageing; or

2. an intellectual disability; or
3. a developmental delay.

Disability services

Under the Social Services Regulations 2023 (Vic) Part 1 sub-regulation7(1)b, disability services means any of the following services funded by the TAC specifically for persons with a disability:

1. disability support services,
2. case management services,
3. training and skills development services that aim to increase or maintain the independent of persons with a disability, or
4. residential services for persons with a disability.

Interstate

For purposes of exempting providers from the need to register with the Regulator, the TAC and the Regulator have agreed that 'interstate' when used in reference to disability service providers means:

1. the provider is based outside of Victoria, and
2. the client services are delivered outside of Victoria.

Victorian

For purposes of the requirement to register with the Regulator, the TAC and the Regulator have agreed that 'Victorian' when used in reference to disability service providers means:

1. the provider is based in Victoria, and or
2. the client services are delivered in Victoria.

The TAC may consider paying for services provided by an outreach provider who does not meet the TAC’s disability service provider registration requirements if:

• the client does not have a disability, or

• the provider is ineligible to register with the Social Services Regulator because they are not providing services to a client with disability.

For WorkSafe only providers, please refer to the WorkSafe attendant care policy.

Attendant care providers must have a Recruitment and Retention Policy that outlines preferred qualifications (Certificate III in Disability or equivalent for attendant care) and training requirements, monitoring and evaluation for personnel.

Service providers are responsible for ensuring attendant care support workers meet the following minimum requirements and for ensuring that competence in these requirements is maintained over time.

• CPR
• First aid - including anaphylaxis
• Food safety
• Infection control
• Manual handling
• Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) Fire Safety Awareness Training
• Administration of medication

Adequate notice must be given to the TAC and WorkSafe to withdraw or terminate services. The timeframe will vary according to the situation but cannot be less than 28 days unless negotiated with the TAC.

Respite care

The attendant care policy applies where respite care is delivered as attendant care.

Post-acute support

Post-acute support must be delivered by a provider that has met the TAC’s attendant care provider registration requirements. Post acute support providers who are supporting clients without disability may be exempt from the TAC disability service provider registration requirements in exceptional circumstances.

Shared supported accommodation

See additional requirements for Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA).

Substitute care services

Substitute care services can be provided by:

• an attendant care provider who has met the TAC’s attendant care registration requirements, or
• another provider authorised by the TAC if the provider is not eligible to register with the Social Services Regulator because the client does not have a disability.

Case management providers can provide services if:

• they are registered with the TAC to deliver case management services, and
• they are qualified and experienced in delivering case management interventions to clients. Minimum qualifications are required to be at a diploma level and can include social work, community service work, disability work, allied health or nursing.

A community group program must provide proof of experience in providing programs for people with disabilities, to be registered by the TAC to provide services.

Respite services

The community access support services policy applies where respite is delivered as a community group program.

A community access planner must meet the following criteria to be registered by the TAC to provide services:

• Completed a minimum Certificate IV in either Disability or Recreation Studies.
• At least three years relevant experience in working with people with a disability.

Client Independence Skills Services (CISS) providers must ensure their workers:

• possess either an Associate Diploma or Certificate IV qualification in disability, community services or equivalent, and
• provide SMART client goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) that are consistent with the client's MyPlan focus on empowering the client to achieve pre-defined independence outcomes, and
• use a model of supported repetitive functional task practice.

The registration requirements and service standards of respite services depend on the services being delivered. See information for Attendant Care, Community Group Programs and Shared Supported Accommodation.

This information should be read in conjunction with our attendant care requirements.

Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA) providers must:

• have a specific TAC cent identified and confirmed with the TAC before SSA property enrolment can commence, and
• meet the TAC's Shared Supported Accommodation Property Enrolment requirement, and
• secure TAC disability service provider registration, and
• enrol all properties with the TAC where shared support is delivered.

SSA provider registration and property enrolment

The purpose of the SSA provider registration and property enrolment process is to enable providers to understand the requirements of the TAC that relate:

• to the quality of support provided to clients,
• the minimum standards for the properties in which services are delivered, and
• the provider’s registration obligations.

The TAC places the highest priority on quality and safeguarding for our clients, enabling clients to lead safe lives free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and preventable injury. Consistent with contemporary disability practice and standards, the TAC expects services to facilitate individuals’ autonomy, respect, wellbeing and participation.

How to apply

1. Secure TAC registration as an authorised disability service provider. You must first be authorised to deliver attendant care services. If you do not have TAC disability services provider registration, please do not proceed with SSA registration.
2. Meet the TAC’s SSA provider registration requirements.
3. Read and complete the Shared Supported Accommodation Provider Registration form . This includes:
   • Property enrolment criteria
   • Terms and conditions of registration
   • Signing the Declaration and Consent
4. Complete and sign a Shared Supported Accommodation Property Enrolment Application for each property at which SSA services will be provided to TAC/WorkSafe funded residents.
5. Submit forms and documents to the TAC. Email the completed forms and all supporting documents (as PDF files) to sectors@tac.vic.gov.au.

What happens next

The TAC will review your application and notify you of the outcome in writing. If a discrepancy arises with your submission, one of our representatives will contact you directly.

Registration will be for a three-year duration, after which time you will need to complete registration renewal and property re-enrolment attestation and may be required to provide updated third-party verification documentation to support re-registration.

Respite services

The TAC can pay for short-term stays in supported accommodation, to allow carers to have a break. This is called respite care. The supported accommodation policy applies in these circumstances.

To deliver Supported Employment Services to TAC clients, a provider must be an Australian Disability Enterprise that is registered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) under the category of ‘specialised supported employment’ and/or are independently assessed and certified under the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS) criteria.

Australian Disability Enterprises must demonstrate the provision of an accessible working environment and have undertaken a third-party quality assessment by way of certification or verification against the NDIS Practice Standards and/or the NSDS criteria.

An Australian Disability Enterprise must produce their certificate or verification listing the category ‘specialised employment support’ for delivering supported employment services if requested by the TAC.

Three-yearly recertification by an approved NDIS Approved Quality Auditor (AQA) must be provided to the TAC upon request.

Providers must notify the TAC immediately if at any time the NDIA revoke their status as a provider of ‘specialised supported employment’ and/or their certification under the NSDS criteria is revoked.