COMPLIANCE HUB
NDIS Compliance Resources
Everything you need to understand NDIS compliance requirements. Learn about NDIS Practice Standards, Code of Conduct, Provider Registration, and Quality Safeguards to deliver quality disability supports.
Quality Safeguards
Worker Screening
Reportable Incidents
A - Access Request
An Access Request is a formal application to the NDIS to determine eligibility for NDIS support. Participants or their nominees submit access requests to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) with evidence of their disability and how it affects their daily life.
Behaviour Support under the NDIS refers to strategies and interventions designed to address behaviours of concern. Registered behaviour support practitioners develop Behaviour Support Plans that focus on quality of life improvements and reducing the use of restrictive practices.
C - Capacity Building
Capacity Building supports in the NDIS help participants develop skills and independence. These supports include training, mentoring, and therapy services that build the participant's ability to live more independently and participate in the community.
D - Disability Support Worker
E - Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)
ECEI is an NDIS approach for children aged 0-6 years with developmental delay or disability. ECEI Partners help families access early intervention supports that can improve a child's development and reduce the need for ongoing support later in life.
F - Funded Supports
Funded Supports are the services and products that the NDIS pays for in a participant's plan. These supports are divided into three budget categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports, and Capital Supports, each designed to help participants achieve their goals.
G - Goals
Goals in the NDIS are the personal objectives a participant wants to achieve through their plan. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART), and relate to independence, social and community participation, education, employment, and health and wellbeing.
H - Home and Living Supports
Home and Living Supports help NDIS participants with their accommodation and daily living needs. This includes Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and assistance with daily personal activities in the home.
I - Individualised Funding
Individualised Funding is a key principle of the NDIS where each participant receives funding based on their individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Plans are tailored to each person rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach.
J - Justice Interface
The Justice Interface refers to how the NDIS works with the criminal justice system to support participants who have contact with police, courts, or corrections. This includes diversion programs and support for people leaving custody.
K - Key Worker
A Key Worker is an Early Childhood Partner who works directly with families of young children with developmental delay or disability. They provide support, information, and help connect families with appropriate early intervention services and the NDIS.
L - Local Area Coordination (LAC)
Local Area Coordinators (LACs) are NDIS Partners in the Community who help people with disability access the NDIS and connect with community supports. LACs assist with planning, implementing plans, and building connections to mainstream and community services.
M - Mainstream Services
Mainstream Services are services available to all Australians regardless of disability, such as health, education, housing, and transport. The NDIS works alongside these services and does not replace or duplicate supports that should be provided by mainstream systems.
The NDIA is the independent statutory agency responsible for implementing the NDIS. The NDIA assesses access requests, develops participant plans, manages funding, and works with providers to ensure quality supports for people with disability.
O - Outcome Domains
Outcome Domains in the NDIS measure the impact of supports on participants' lives across eight areas: choice and control, daily living, relationships, home, health and wellbeing, lifelong learning, work, and social and community participation.
P - Plan Management
Plan Management is one of three ways participants can manage their NDIS funding. A registered Plan Manager handles the financial administration, pays provider invoices, and provides financial reporting while participants choose their own providers.
Q - Quality Safeguards
Quality Safeguards are the regulatory frameworks overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. These include provider registration, the NDIS Code of Conduct, Practice Standards, complaints handling, reportable incidents, and worker screening requirements.
A Registered Provider is an NDIS provider registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Registration requires meeting NDIS Practice Standards, having appropriate worker screening, and being subject to compliance audits and monitoring.
S - Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding for help with daily tasks for participants who live independently in the community. SIL can include assistance with personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, and overnight support.
T - Thin Markets
Thin Markets occur in areas where there are few or no NDIS providers, often in regional, rural, and remote Australia. The NDIS is working to address thin markets through provider development, innovative service models, and market facilitation strategies.
An Unregistered Provider delivers NDIS supports without being registered with the Commission. Unregistered providers can only work with self-managed or plan-managed participants and must still comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct.
V - Value for Money
Value for Money is an NDIS principle ensuring supports represent good use of resources. The NDIA considers whether supports are beneficial, cost-effective, and represent reasonable value when approving funding and developing participant plans.
W - Worker Screening
Worker Screening is the mandatory background check system for NDIS workers. The NDIS Worker Screening Check assesses a person's suitability to work with people with disability and helps protect participants from harm.
X - eXit Planning
Exit Planning refers to the process when a participant leaves the NDIS, either by choice or due to no longer meeting eligibility criteria. Providers should have exit planning procedures to ensure smooth transitions and continued support connections.
Y - Yearly Plan Review
A Yearly Plan Review is the scheduled review of a participant's NDIS plan, typically occurring annually. During reviews, participants assess their progress, discuss changing needs, and update their goals and funded supports for the next plan period.
Z - Zero Tolerance
Zero Tolerance is the NDIS approach to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability. The NDIS Commission enforces strict safeguarding requirements and takes immediate action when participant safety is at risk.