NDIS Provider Networking on the Gold Coast: Real Conversations, Real Connections
- Jase
- May 13
- 5 min read
A mix of insights, challenges, and practical takeaways
We recently ran another NDIS Provider Networking event here on the Gold Coast at Johnny H in Upper Coomera. As always, thank you very much for your hospitality. We had a full table of people from all different parts of the sector—support workers, nurses, coaches, business owners, and a few just starting out.
The point of these events is pretty simple: real conversations and useful connections. Not just business cards and surface-level chat. What came out of it this time was a lot of shared experience, a few big lightbulb moments, and some common themes across all our work.
Who Was In The Room (and What They Shared)
🧠 Hart 2 Hart
This team brought a strong focus on mental health OT. Gibran shared how they came into the industry as a mature-aged student and now work primarily with teenagers and adults needing mental health supports. They clarified they don’t do home mods or equipment prescriptions—they stick to what they know best: functional capacity assessments and mental health-focused OT, using telehealth or travelling across Southport, Gold Coast Brisbane, and surrounds.
🏛️ Renee -- Blossom Consultants
Renee used to work directly for the NDIA in the provider engagement team and helped write some of the foundational policy documents on support coordination and time management. She now offers mentoring and consulting to NDIS providers, focusing on practice frameworks, staff coaching, and improving compliance without losing sight of human connection.
She encouraged providers to focus not just on what they think they do well, but to ask: "How do you know?" She emphasised the importance of starting with the end in mind when onboarding clients to avoid service issues later.
🏫 Jess – Teacher Turned NDIS Business Owner
Jess is a high school teacher transitioning into the NDIS sector rather than retiring. She’s in the process of becoming a registered provider and plans to offer a broad range of services, including complex supports and potentially behaviour support. Her passion is rooted in community service and charity work, and she’s currently deep in the compliance paperwork preparing for her audit.
💼 Vicki from Unify Disability Services
Unify Disability Services (based in Robina) shared insights into their psychology and behaviour support services. Vicki has worked in the sector since before the NDIS began and brings a very human-centred approach. She highlighted the importance of proper plan implementation, particularly for behaviour and dietitian plans, and the need for support worker training to bring reports and plans to life. Vicki is also running an upcoming training event to upskill frontline workers.
🌍 NHPA – National Health Practitioners Alliance
NHPA offer a full range of allied health services across the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Eva from NHPA mentioned they’ve got room for new referrals and are keen to link up with support coordinators who value collaboration.
She touched on how important the right language is in functional reports, and how their team looks at things through both a therapeutic and funding lens. They’re especially useful when it comes to getting supports implemented properly, not just ticking a box.
🌄 Tribes Adventure Group
Tribes runs ecotherapy and adventure-based programs for people with disabilities. Steve and the team shared how they blend outdoor experiences like camping, 4WD trips, snow adventures, and snorkelling with one-on-one mentoring and group connection.
They’re also building a sensory and nature-based farm hub in Suburbia, designed with participant input. They work with a wide range of ages and abilities, and their strength is combining physical activity with emotional and social growth.
🧽 Shikhar (Shaun) – Future Nurses, Future Providers
Shikhar is near the end of his nursing degree and is laying the groundwork for a nursing-focused NDIS business. The approach is measured: learning first, then launching. The plan includes community access, daily supports, and clinical care. They were encouraged to attend other nursing-based networks like The Nurses Collective to hear real stories and learn what to avoid.
⚕️ Cindy from iHelp Disability
Cindy’s team provides SIL, complex support, and clinical oversight with a twist—her registered nurses also serve as in-house trainers, helping avoid excessive use of therapy budgets for day-to-day retraining. Their model includes 1:1, 2:1, and even 3:1 care, with internal clinicians reviewing incidents and supporting support workers.
She also gave insight into participant trauma and service design, and why it can take months to properly transition someone with complex needs into a new setting.
🏦 Abilities to Thrive
Liz and the team focus on helping people with disabilities access employment, volunteering, and community roles. With over 20 years’ experience in disability employment, they shared stories of participants moving from isolation to real-world roles. One participant now works in a stadium after years of unemployment, and others have started volunteering with purpose.
They aim to bridge the gap between skill building and actual jobs, and see small wins as the stepping stones to long-term independence.
🌐 Amrit from WCSS (We Care Support Services)
Originally from Victoria, Amrit recently opened a new house in Pimpama under WCSS. His journey started during the 2015 Nepal earthquake where he saw the real value of community support. His company offers nursing, community access, and accommodation services, and he’s now expanding their model to the Gold Coast.
What We Kept Coming Back To
You can’t force support on someone who’s not ready
This came up multiple times. Whether it's a client who wants a wheelchair they don't need, or someone who says "I'm fine" but clearly isn't, the consensus was to meet people where they're at.
Small wins are big wins
Moments like someone saying hello, cracking a joke, or showing up when they didn’t last time—these are massive. They’re often the start of real progress.
You don’t always need to sell—just be human
The people in the room weren’t trying to pitch. They were sharing, listening, and figuring out where they could work together. That’s how trust (and referrals) get built.
And that’s exactly what this event is becoming—a space where people grow, learn, and evolve, not just as providers, but as humans working in a pretty complicated system. Whether you're new to the game or have been in it for decades, there’s something about having real conversations with people who get it.
Want to Connect With the Speakers?
Here are a few direct links to those who gave permission for their details to be shared:
Looking Ahead
If you’re looking to connect with other providers, learn something new, or just have real conversations that help you do your job better—come along to the next one. You can also check out our NDIS Holiday & Social Programs (internal link) for collaboration or referrals.
Who’s Behind These Events?
These networking events are hosted by me, Jase from Slim Gym. I’m a Personal Trainer (PT) and Allied Health Assistant (AHA) working hands-on with people with disabilities across the Gold Coast.
Our programs combine fitness, fun, and real-world skill building—from weekly group sessions to school holiday programs, weekend adventures, and upcoming themed days like Discoability (a social dance and games night for people with disabilities, launching soon—click here to learn more).
We also work closely with families, support workers, and allied health professionals to offer a meaningful extension of therapy goals in a group setting. Think of it as affordable, practical reinforcement in a space where clients can apply what they’re learning in a fun, social, and supportive real-world environment.
And the big news—our mobile gym trailer will be hitting the road in around six weeks. This will allow us to run more sessions in more places, giving participants access to equipment and structured programs closer to home.
If you’re looking to collaborate, refer a client, or just want to see what we’re about:
👉 Or text me directly on 0412 163 317
Let’s build something that actually works—together.
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