Financial Abuse in the NDIS: How to Recognise and Prevent It

Financial abuse is a serious and unfortunately common problem in the NDIS. It can be committed by strangers, providers, or — in some of the most damaging cases — people close to you. Understanding how it happens is the first step to preventing it.

Information current as of February 2025. This article is general information only — not NDIS, legal, or financial advice. If you are in danger, call 000.

What is financial abuse in the NDIS?

Financial abuse in the NDIS context includes:

• Billing fraud — providers invoicing for services not delivered
• Overcharging — billing above the NDIS price limits
• Informal worker exploitation — paying a worker from your funding without proper service agreements
• Coerced spending — being pressured to purchase specific services or products you don’t need
• Misuse by people in your life — family members, carers, or others directing your funding for their own benefit
• Identity theft — someone accessing your NDIS portal and redirecting payments

How NDIS funding flows — and where the risks are

Agency-managed: The NDIA pays providers directly. Lower risk of day-to-day fraud, but participants have less visibility into what’s being claimed.

Plan-managed: A registered plan manager processes invoices. They’re a safeguard — but only if they’re also checking against the price guide and flagging unusual claims.

Self-managed: You receive the funding and pay providers. Full flexibility, but full responsibility. Self-managed participants are at higher risk of being targeted.

Protecting yourself

Monitor your plan. Log into the NDIS portal (myplace) and check your payment history regularly. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, ask your Support Coordinator to review it with you at each check-in.

Request itemised invoices. Every invoice should show the date, support item code, hours, and rate. Compare these to what actually happened.

Keep your login details private. Never share your myplace portal username and password with a provider or worker. No one needs access to your portal to deliver support.

Have a service agreement. Any provider you use should have a signed service agreement that outlines exactly what support will be delivered and at what rate.

Talk to someone you trust. If you feel a provider is encouraging you to spend in ways that don’t feel right, speak to your Support Coordinator, a trusted family member, or the NDIS Commission.

Getting help

NDIS Commission: 1800 035 544 — report provider fraud, overcharging, or exploitation.

NDIA: 1800 800 110 — report concerns about misuse of your plan funding directly.

National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1800 880 052 — for reporting and support.

Your Support Coordinator should be your first call if something feels wrong. They have experience navigating these issues and can help you take appropriate action.

Source: NDIS Commission — Financial abuse and exploitation