What Do These Criteria Mean?
5. Must Accept Responsibility for ‘Business-Readiness’
The database is an information product – consultants are responsible for the delivery of a service to clients. Being prepared to deliver this may include:
- Understanding the legal and regulatory framework you operate in, such as relevant legislation, government policy etc.
- Understanding and being aware of the limits of your knowledge and expertise, and the legal implications of advice offered.
- Developing and offering a service or product.
- The ‘product/package’ consultants offer clients should accommodate work costs and supports associated with disability.
- Consultants’ fee structures should take costs into consideration.
- Responsibilities and tasks in the business engagement process (brief, proposal, selection and contract) are between the client and particular consultant.
- Consultants would be expected to be able to manage and undertake these process tasks.
- DISTSS and database personnel have no role in this process.
- Some clients will require particular insurances and amounts of insurance. Consultants are responsible for making decisions and arrangements for any insurances.
- Consultants should be aware of, and are responsible for, any effect earnings may have on their disability or other support payments and eligibility for services.
DISTSS does not have a role in “business readiness” or particular aspects of this such as service quality or insurance for consultants listed on the database. Consultants may wish to explore particular aspects of their responsibilities for “business readiness” and income implications. Other organisations and services exist for this purpose. Starting points may be:
- Business Victoria
www.business.vic.gov.au - Centrelink
www.centrelink.gov.au - Office of Housing (enter from Department of Human Services website home page)
www.dhs.vic.gov.au