Choosing Your Approved Quality Auditor: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Choosing an Approved Quality Auditor (AQA) is one of the few real choices you make in registration. Every AQA on the Commission's panel is approved to perform NDIS audits, but they vary widely. Ask each AQA these 8 questions before you commit.
1. What's your experience with my scope of registration?
Ask for specific examples.
2. Who specifically will be my lead auditor, and what's their experience?
The AQA is the firm. The auditor is the person. A senior auditor is worth more than a discount.
3. What's the fixed fee, and what triggers additional charges?
Get itemised: Stage 1, Stage 2, mid-term, re-audit, travel, remediation review.
4. How long will the audit take from engagement to certificate?
Some AQAs turn around in 6 weeks. Others take 4 months.
5. How do you handle minor and major non-conformities?
Good auditors explain exactly what evidence closes a non-conformity. Weak ones leave you guessing.
6. What does your evidence portal look like?
Most AQAs use online portals. Some are good. Ask for a demo.
7. Do you provide any pre-audit gap analysis?
The same person can't consult and then audit you, but some firms have separate arms.
8. What's your re-audit pricing if I fail closure?
Hopefully irrelevant, but it should be on the quote.
The Commission's panel of AQAs is the authoritative source. We also maintain an AQA directory on this site.
