Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Table of contents:

Close of 2003-04 collection

  • Reference week was the last week of the quarter (24 to 30 June).
  • The Snapshot day was 23 June 2004. The response to Question 17c should be "Yes" if a service user received a service on the snapshot day (23 June 2004).
  • DS NMDS data transmissions are due at DSQ Central Office any time in July - but must be sent no later than Monday 2 August 2004.
  • If agencies have any outstanding data transmissions for any of the previous quarters they must also be sent no later than Monday 2 August 2004.
  • Any DS NMDS data received after 2 August 2004 will be at risk of not being included in the 2003-04 collection.

Data collection online - 2004-05

Disability Services Queensland (DSQ) is currently developing a new Internet based system for the collection and transmission of 2004-05 DS NMDS data. The system, called Online Data Collection (or ODC for short), will replace QDT (Quarterly Data Transmission tool) as the software platform supplied by DSQ to service providers for the lodgement of quarterly NMDS data.

ODC will look and feel very much like QDT in terms of the screens used and their appearance. However, ODC will offer a variety of benefits that QDT never could, including the elimination of the need to load software on local computers, the storage of data on a secure central data server so data isn't lost when local hard drives fail and the elimination of database duplication within an agency.

The development of ODC began in early June. The system's launch is scheduled to coincide with the reference week in September 2004 (24-30 September).

To keep you informed of ODC developments over the next three months, DSQ will be issuing regular special DS NMDS Alerts via e-mail. You are encouraged to pay particular attention to them.

We strongly believe that ODC will significantly improve the ease with which data is collected and transmitted to DSQ by the vast majority of service providers.

Informal feedback from a number of providers who have already been informed about ODC by our Client Capacity Building and Support Project Officers indicates that this belief is shared.

Keep a look out for the special Alerts. One of the first Alerts will focus on the collection of data from 1 July until the launch of ODC in September.

Diary dates

July 2004

  • Transmit April-June (Quarter 4) data and any outstanding 2003-04 data.
  • Keep records for July-September (Quarter 1) - do not enter new data into QDT V2.

September 2004

  • ODC launch.
  • Reference week 24-30 September.
  • Newsletter Issue 13.

A focus on quality data

Service Type Outlet: staff hours

The DS NMDS Team has developed a spreadsheet to help service providers keep track of staff hours. If your organisation would benefit from this spreadsheet please contact the HelpLine and it can be provided to you.

Topic for next newsletter: more information on Service Type Outlet: staff hours.

Client Capacity Building and Support (CCB&S) project officers

The CCB&S project officers have been busy travelling around the state providing on the ground training and support to approximately 100 DS NMDS-funded agencies meeting their reporting requirements under the DS NMDS.

The project officers have found it beneficial getting out and meeting service providers to gain a better understanding of the issues arising from the DS NMDS collection.

Support provided by project officers has varied from providing information regarding data collection and IT technical advice including loading QDT Version 2, to general presentations and discussions based around the collection.

Remember that the CCB&S project officers are on board until the end of September 2004. Please feel free to contact your regional project officer.

  • Ipswich/South West Queensland and South Coast Regions
    Penny Sampson - 0403 209 437
  • Brisbane and North Coast Regions
    Lynette Murray - 0403 209 436
  • Central Queensland/Wide Bay Region
    Edwardo Flores - 0403 209 433
  • North Queensland and Remote Regions
    Karen Borsody-Nagy - 0403 209 434

DSQ DS NMDS help available

If you have a query and cannot find the answer after checking the DS NMDS Resource Kit, either call the HelpLine or send an e-mail to us.

Remember, your call is important, so if the HelpLine is busy, leave a message on the voicemail and we will respond at the first opportunity.

DS NMDS HelpLine call rates

The DS NMDS HelpLine provides ongoing support to service providers across Queensland.

Requests for Help 2003-04

  • Phone: 2875 (240 monthly average)
  • Email: 133 (11 monthly average)
  • Total: 3008