5Meaning of certification

#### 5 Meaning of certification (1) Certification is an assessment by an approved quality auditor of an applicant, or of a registered NDIS provider, against an applicable standard by conducting: (a) a desk audit of the applicant or provider, including reviewing the applicant’s or provider’s relevant documentation, in relation to the standard; and (b) an inspection of the sites, facilities, equipment and services used, or proposed to be used, in the delivery of supports or services by the applicant or provider in relation to the standard; and (c) interviews with relevant persons, including key personnel of the applicant or provider and persons receiving, or to receive, supports or services from the applicant or provider in relation to the standard. (1A) The assessment must be proportionate to: (a) the size of the provider or applicant; and (b) the scale of the provider or applicant, having regard to: (i) the geographical area or areas in which the provider or applicant provides, or is to provide, supports or services; and (ii) the number of locations at or from which the provider or applicant provides, or is to provide, supports or services; and (c) the scope and complexity of the supports or services provided or to be provided. (2) The assessment may be conducted by an appropriate sampling method. (3) Despite subsection (1), the Commissioner may, in writing, authorise an approved quality auditor to assess an applicant or a registered NDIS provider against an applicable standard by conducting a review of the outcomes and evidence from a comparable quality audit process undertaken in relation to the applicant or provider, if the Commissioner considers it is appropriate to do so. (4) If the Commissioner gives an authorisation under subsection (3), the applicant or provider is taken, for the purposes of this instrument, to be assessed using certification.