When NDIS Providers deliver high quality and safe NDIS services and supports, NDIS Participants' wellbeing, human rights and choice and control are supported.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards give NDIS Providers a framework to help them provide high quality and safe supports to all NDIS Participants.
The resources provided on this page define and explain the importance of Quality and Safeguards to give guidance to NDIS Providers on how to deliver safe and high quality supports to NDIS Participants.
Quality is about receiving high standard of support services.
Minimum quality expectations are often set out in industry Standards. For the NDIS, the industry Standards are the NDIS Practice Standards. These currently apply to all Registered NDIS Providers except for those in Western Australia. Until July 2020, NDIS Providers in Western Australia have to comply with the National Standards for Disability Services.
Safeguards are ways of keeping people safe from harm when they are receiving services.
Safeguards are preventative measures taken to stop bad things from happening. Examples of Safeguards in the NDIS include Worker Screening and the requirement to have feedback and complaints systems in place. By supporting people’s rights and wellbeing, safeguards also support them to have more choice and control in their lives.
It is important for NDIS Participants to understand quality and safeguards so they are aware of and can advocate for their rights, including to: develop their capacity; have choice and control; be respected; and be free from hurt or harm.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission explains the rights of an NDIS participant as the right to dignity and respect, and to live free from abuse. To support this, it is responsible for implementing the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework. The Framework sets out a range of requirements that NDIS Providers need to comply with, including the NDIS Code of Conduct, which helps NDIS Providers and workers respect and uphold your right to safe and quality supports and services.
Further information about the rights of NDIS Participants can be found on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s website under NDIS Participants – Your Rights.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has a number of Easy Read factsheets for NDIS Participants on its website.
Quality and Safeguards are in place to assist NDIS Participants receive appropriate, high quality and safe supports from NDIS Providers. A summary of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework can be found on the Department of Social Services’ website. There is also an Easy Read overview of the Framework.
A fact sheet for NDIS Participants that covers the importance of Quality and Safeguards, and how NDIS Participants can be involved in making sure their NDIS supports and services are high quality and safe.
NDIS Participants discuss Quality and Safeguards in the NDIS, focusing on the why they are important and what they mean when providing supports and services to NDIS Participants.
Registered NDIS Providers need to comply with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework’s NDIS Code of Conduct; NDIS Practice Standards; and Behaviour Support (where applicable), Incident Management, Complaints Management and Worker Screening requirements. Unregistered NDIS Providers must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct.
The legislation, rules and policies underpinning the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework can be found on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s website. Until July 2020, NDIS Providers in WA need to meet the requirements set out on the WA Department of Communities’ Disability Services website.
Yes. The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to all NDIS Providers, whether registered or not, and to all people employed or otherwise engaged by NDIS Providers. Further information for unregistered providers can be found on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s website under NDIS Providers – Provider Responsibilities.
An overview of Quality and Safeguards requirements for Western Australian NDIS Providers, including membership of the Disability Services Provider Panel (DSPP) and the NDIS full scheme arrangements for WA from July 2020.