Confirmation of Candidature - Key Success Factors for Small and Medium NDIS Providers in Australia

This Thesis explores the key success factors for Small and Medium Sizes Enterprises (SMEs) within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. With the introduction to the NDIS in 2013, the disability landscape transitioned to a demand driven system which opened up the sector for For-Profit SMEs for the first time. Despite their critical role in providing quality support to people with disabilities, many SME NDIS providers face significant regulatory and operational challenges. This research aims to explore the key challenges, and success factors for SMEs in Australia, and identify transferable success factors that may be transferable to this new market. 
This thesis by publication studies around three key studies Study 1 conducts a systematic review of success factors for SMEs operating within government-regulated sectors in Australia, establishing a foundational understanding of the factors contributing to business sustainability. Study 2 involves a large-scale qualitative survey of for-profit SME NDIS providers, benchmarking their challenges and success factors against those of general SMEs. Study 3 offers a comparative analysis through semi-structured interviews with both NDIS providers and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), exploring potential transferable success strategies from the more mature RTO sector.
The findings from these studies will contribute to a better understanding of how SME NDIS providers can navigate the complex regulatory environment while achieving sustainable business success. This research will provide valuable insights for policymakers, NDIS providers, and other stakeholders in improving business support mechanisms and regulatory frameworks within the NDIS.

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