NDIS Safeguarding: What It Is and Why It Matters

The word “safeguarding” gets used a lot in the disability sector, but what does it actually mean — and how does the NDIS system protect you?

Information current as of October 2024. This article is general information only — not NDIS, legal, or financial advice.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding refers to the policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms designed to protect NDIS participants from:

• Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, financial)
• Neglect (failure to provide adequate care or support)
• Exploitation (being taken advantage of, including financially)
• Restrictive practices (inappropriate use of restraints or confinement)

In the NDIS context, safeguarding covers both what providers are required to do and what participants can do when something goes wrong.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is the national body responsible for overseeing providers and workers. Its role includes:

• Registering and auditing NDIS providers
• Investigating complaints and concerns
• Taking compliance action against providers who do the wrong thing
• Managing the NDIS Worker Screening Check

The Commission operates in all states and territories (except WA, where the State Government performs some functions, though this has progressively harmonised with the national Commission).

NDIS Practice Standards

Registered providers must comply with the NDIS Practice Standards — a set of quality benchmarks covering areas like:

• Rights and responsibility
• Governance and operational management
• The delivery of supports
• Support provision environment
• Specialist support categories (for high-intensity providers)

These standards are audited. A registered provider must demonstrate compliance to maintain their registration.

The NDIS Worker Screening Check

Anyone working in risk-assessed roles with NDIS participants must hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check (or an equivalent state-based check during transition). This is a national check that looks at criminal history and other risk indicators.

Unlike a standard police check, the NDIS check is ongoing — if new information comes to light after the check is granted, it can be reviewed. Employers must not deploy workers in risk-assessed roles without a cleared check.

What participants can do

You have the right to:

• Know your support worker’s qualifications and screening status
• Raise concerns about any aspect of your support
• Change providers without penalty
• Make a formal complaint to the NDIS Commission
• Be free from any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation

Your Support Coordinator should help you understand these rights and take action if needed.

Source: NDIS Commission — Our role