Advocate

Role Description – Advocate / Compliance & Operations Manager (APO)Position Overview

The Advocate & Compliance Manager plays a dual role of ensuring compliance with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and representing participant rights during operational decision-making. This position also fulfils the Authorised Program Officer (APO) function, responsible for restrictive practice approvals and behaviour support compliance.

A critical part of this role is active participation in NDIS Reviews and Meetings to ensure the provider's compliance position is clear, advocacy is delivered for participants, and organisational practices are aligned with NDIS standards.

Key ResponsibilitiesAdvocacy

• Represent participant needs and rights in NDIS reviews, planning meetings, and provider reviews.
• Ensure participants and their families understand their rights and choices under the NDIS.
• Work closely with participants to prepare for plan reviews and communicate outcomes to operational teams.

Compliance

• Oversee compliance with NDIS Practice Standards, Restrictive Practices requirements, and Behaviour Support Plan obligations.
• Maintain registers for incidents, restrictive practices, staff credentials, and policy updates.
• Lead organisational participation in NDIS audits, mid-term reviews, and quality improvement meetings.

Operations

• Support contractor and staff compliance through onboarding, credential management, and training.
• Align operational practices with NDIS plan requirements and participant goals.
• Ensure shifts, PRODA claims, and service delivery are consistent with compliance and funding categories.

NDIS Review & Meeting Participation

• Attend NDIS audit and compliance meetings as the provider's representative.
• Participate in participant plan reviews, ensuring services are properly reflected and funded.
• Prepare reports, evidence, and documentation for NDIS review processes.
• Act as spokesperson for the provider in meetings with the NDIS Commission, support coordinators, or external stakeholders.
• Document all meeting outcomes and implement action points into the compliance framework.

APO Duties

• Authorise and oversee any restrictive interventions, ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Submit and monitor Behaviour Support Plans with the Victorian Senior Practitioner (or relevant authority).
• Provide staff training and ensure restrictive practices are used only as a last resort.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Knowledge of NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills in review/meeting environments.
• High-level reporting and documentation ability.
• Experience leading audits, compliance reviews, and corrective action plans.
• Confidence in representing the provider in official NDIS engagements.

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Director / CEO of NDIS Provider.
• Works closely with: Support Coordinators, Behaviour Support Practitioners, NDIS Commission, and participant families.

Job Types: Full-time, Subcontract, Contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $70,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance
• Salary packaging

Work Location: In person