NDIS Commission Provider Newsletter – April 2026

In this month's edition

Message from the Commissioner and Associate Commissioner
NDIS Commission gets new powers to strengthen NDIS integrity and safeguards
Advisory Council appointments announced
Regulatory changes for SIL and platform providers
Reporting incidents on time helps keep participants safe
Data and Regulatory Transformation (DART) Program update
New Code of Conduct video – Promptly act on concerns
NDIS Specialist Behaviour Support Provider registration
Use our Workforce Capability Framework resources
New app helps participants navigate the NDIS
Stakeholder Sentiment Survey – We’d appreciate your feedback

Message from the Commissioner and Associate Commissioner

Welcome to the April edition of our Provider Newsletter.

We are delighted that federal parliament passed the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026 earlier this month. The passage of this legislation will help us take more effective regulatory action to prevent harm and improve quality across the sector. This legislation strengthens our ability to deliver on our mandate of being a formidable regulator. As such, this is a significant milestone for the safety and rights of people with disability.

The Act also strengthens our ability to identify and respond to risks, take timely enforcement action, and drive better practice across providers. It reflects extensive consultation with people with disability, families, advocates and providers, including those delivering supports in regional and rural communities.

The majority of those working in the NDIS play a positive and vital role in supporting people with disability to live with dignity, choice and control. However, we continue to see instances of poor practice, exploitation and fraud that undermine participant safety and confidence in the Scheme. The reforms passed by Parliament respond directly to these challenges. At the heart of the legislation is a clear principle: serious harm to NDIS participants must attract serious consequences.

The new powers for the Commission took effect on 9 April, the day after the Act received Royal Assent (the only exception being the anti-promotion orders, which will require the making of new Rules). Please see the article below for more information.

Other significant developments were announced by Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, Mark Butler in his National Press Club address on 22 April. Among these were that the Government will expand categories of mandatory registration to include the higher risk activities – personal care, daily living supports and supports provided in closed settings. Minister Butler will introduce legislation to bring this about shortly after the Federal Budget in May. More information is available in this media release on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

We recently announced the selection of members of our refreshed Advisory Council. This is an independent strategic advisory body that provides advice to us on issues affecting people with disability, NDIS participants and the Scheme. Council members were selected through a national expression of interest process. They will assist in ensuring that people with disability have a direct line of input into the regulation of the NDIS.

Finally, a friendly reminder that the NDIS Code of Conduct applies to all providers, whether or not they register with the Commission.

Remember you can forward this to anyone you know who would benefit from it, and encourage them to sign up online.

Louise Glanville and Natalie Wade
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner and Associate Commissioner

NDIS Commission gets new powers to strengthen NDIS integrity and safeguards

The passage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026 delivers tougher penalties for serious misconduct and unsafe practices, and stronger powers for the NDIS Commission to protect participants from abuse, neglect, exploitation and fraud. The Act was passed by federal parliament in early April and amends the NDIS Act.

Key measures of the legislation that will enhance our regulatory work include:

Tougher civil penalties and new criminal offences for serious misconduct:
- Civil penalties for providers have increased from a maximum of $412,500 to more than $15 million when a participant is hurt or injured under the provider’s care.
- New criminal offences – attracting up to 5 years’ imprisonment – will address behaviour that demonstrates continual and intentional disregard of regulatory arrangements that protect participant safety. Specifically, this refers to providing supports that require registration without being registered, and for failing to comply with a banning order.
Stronger regulatory powers for the NDIS Commission:
- Strengthened monitoring, compliance and enforcement powers
- Expanded banning order powers to ban auditors and consultants
- Anti-promotion orders to restrict unscrupulous providers and others from promoting products or services that undermine the integrity of the NDIS.
Strengthened whistleblower protections.

The Act also includes amendments related to the operations of the NDIA, including:

providing additional safeguards to participants wishing to withdraw from the Scheme
mandating electronic forms to prevent fraud and abuse of the system
creating a new power for the NDIA to request evidence before claims are made.

This legislation follows detailed consideration by the parliament, including review by the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, and was informed by the NDIS Commission’s consultation and regulatory intelligence.

You can read more about the contents of the Act on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Key takeaway
New legislation delivers tougher penalties for serious misconduct and unsafe practices, and stronger powers for the NDIS Commission to protect participants from abuse, neglect, exploitation and fraud.

Advisory Council appointments announced

The NDIS Commission has announced the appointment of members of our refreshed Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is an independent strategic advisory body that provides advice to the NDIS Commissioner and Associate Commissioner on issues affecting people with disability, NDIS participants and the Scheme. Its purpose is to embed and amplify the voices of people with disability in the Commission’s work, ensuring regulatory decisions reflect lived experience. It is one of 2 consultative forums currently being refreshed.

The Advisory Council brings together some of Australia’s most respected disability leaders, including:

Alan Blackwood – National disability reform and advocacy leader (VIC)
Melinda Brown – Prominent self advocate for people with intellectual disability (SA)
Chris Coombes – Human rights law and safeguarding specialist (QLD)
Aaron Cotton – Disability housing and Supported Independent Living reform advocate (QLD)
Kelly Cox – Internationally recognised disability and human rights leader (NSW)
C. Findlay OAM – Award‑winning writer, speaker and appearance activist (VIC)
Carolyn Frohmader AO – Human rights consultant (TAS)
Ciara Galega – Inclusive governance and disability inclusion leader (WA)
Sharon Grocott – Senior disability executive and systems reform leader (NSW)
Samantha Jenkinson – Architect of key NDIS policy and safeguarding frameworks (WA)
Tamika Marshall – Governance leader and regional and remote disability advocate (NT)

More information about the members is available in this media release.

Key takeaway
The NDIS Commission has announced the appointment of members of our refreshed Advisory Council.

Illustrations of four people using mobile devices

Regulatory changes for SIL and platform providers

The NDIS Commission is delivering its 2026 Regulatory Reform Program to improve quality and safety in Supported Independent Living (SIL) and platform provider NDIS supports and services.

From 1 July 2026, we will introduce:

mandatory registration for SIL providers
mandatory registration for platform providers
new NDIS Practice Standards for SIL supports and services.

There will also be transitional arrangements to support existing SIL and platform providers with the transition.

More detail about our implementation timeline and the work underway to prepare for the reform is included in our Regulatory Reform Roadmap and Reform Pathway.

What happens next

We will continue to share updates as we approach 1 July 2026, including transitional arrangement details and what is required of SIL and platform providers to deliver these services in the NDIS.

Visit the Reform Hub for the latest information and updates on what you need to do as a SIL or platform provider, or what you need to know as a participant who receives these NDIS services.

Key takeaway

Mandatory registration for SIL and platform providers and new SIL Practice Standards starts from 1 July 2026. Visit the Reform Hub on our website for the latest updates and more information.

Reporting incidents on time helps keep participants safe

We have identified an increase in delayed mandatory incident reporting from registered providers across the sector.

All registered providers are legally required under the NDIS Act to report incidents within certain timeframes. Failure to report may result in an infringement notice or other compliance action. The NDIS Commission may also issue warning letters to remind providers of their reporting obligations.

For more information about Reportable Incidents and your reporting obligations visit, the Reportable Incidents page of our website.

Key takeaway

Registered providers are required to report incidents to the Commission in a timely manner.

Data and Regulatory Transformation (DART) Program update

In the March Provider Newsletter, we updated you about the improvements we’re making to our data, systems and online tools. In mid-2026, we’re introducing a new Provider Portal. It’s designed to improve your experience with us by making it easier, faster, and more intuitive for you to comply with your regulatory requirements. It will also help us to become a more efficient data-driven regulator.

During March and April, we hosted 18 provider workshops. We are designing the new portal based on improvements and feedback we have heard from providers. Some of these improvements are:

dynamic forms that produce questions relevant to the matter being reported.
less duplication – the portal will remember information previously entered and pre-populate fields.
clear navigation steps, help and information icons – the portal will include prompts that will clarify what information we need from you.
more flexibility – you’ll be able to save progress and return to registration applications.
increased visibility – the portal will include automated email updates and real-time status tracking to keep you informed.

How to prepare

Our workshops also raise awareness about these upcoming changes. You can register your interest if you’d like to take part in future feedback opportunities for the Provider Portal.

User guides and instructional videos will be available ahead of the new portal’s release to ensure you can familiarise yourselves with its features.

You can also keep up to date with the DART Program by visiting our website.

Key takeaway

Provider feedback has informed the development of our new Provider Portal, which will be used for provider registrations, behaviour support, practitioner suitability, and reportable incidents.

New Code of Conduct video – Promptly act on concerns

The NDIS Commission has released a new short video that's part of an educational series that will help providers better understand the NDIS Code of Conduct. It covers the need to promptly act on concerns – one of 8 elements under the Code.

While delivering NDIS supports and services, it’s essential that staff look out for early signs of risk to participants. Early identification and prompt action can help avoid serious harm.

NDIS providers must have effective incident-management processes. It is a provider’s responsibility to provide participants with safe and competent supports and services.

To ensure best outcomes for people with disability, NDIS providers need to ensure all workers have adequate knowledge and training to identify, assess and report incidents that may risk harm to participants during service delivery.

As an NDIS provider, meeting your obligations as outlined in the Code of Conduct is essential as we all work to support the rights of people with disability.

The video shows what this element means for providers through a real-world scenario that illustrates how the Code works in practice.

Visit the Code of Conduct videos web page to watch the series.

Key takeaway

Please take a moment to watch a new short video on the Code of Conduct element – Promptly act on concerns.

NDIS Specialist Behaviour Support Provider registration

We’ve recently improved our guidance for people who are applying to become a NDIS behaviour support practitioner through the New Entry Level Pathway. This guidance will also be useful for sole traders or key personnel who work for a specialist behaviour support provider (registration group 0110).

Behaviour support and restrictive practices are considered high-risk categories of support, which require NDIS behaviour support practitioners to have specific skills, knowledge, and experience. New Entry Level applicants are typically defined as having less than 6 months’ experience. For that reason, we expect that these practitioners are receiving a higher level of supervision and support as they develop their capabilities. Given this expectation, we may find an individual applying via the New Entry Level pathway not suitable when they:

intend to operate as a sole trader or as key personnel of a specialist behaviour support provider; and
do not intend to employ a Proficient-level (or above) NDIS behaviour support practitioner (with two years’ experience working as a NDIS behaviour support practitioner) to provide clinical supervision and oversight of work practices.

In addition, we may impose a condition on the registration of NDIS providers who are registered to provide specialist behaviour supports (registration group 0110).

For more information, please visit our website where you’ll find an updated fact sheet for new behaviour support practitioners.

Key takeaway

We have strengthened our approach to assessing suitability for new entry level behaviour support practitioners, particularly those intending to operate as a sole trader or as key personnel of specialist behaviour support providers. Our fact sheet for new behaviour support practitioners explains what’s involved.

Use our Workforce Capability Framework resources

The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework is for anyone who needs to understand, direct or participate in NDIS work. It helps define ‘what good looks like’ when it comes to providing NDIS supports.

It was developed from an NDIS participant point of view, and describes what participants expect from all workers funded under the NDIS. It provides clear, practical examples and establishes a shared language of ‘what good looks like’ when workers deliver supports in line with NDIS values. This handy video gives you a snapshot of what the Framework and resources have to offer.

A suite of tools and resources have been developed to support users to apply the Workforce Capability Framework.

For instance, this Workforce Capability Framework resource provides guidance around the skills required for certain roles in the sector.

We’ll highlight other Framework tools and resources in upcoming editions.

Key takeaway
The Workforce Capability Framework includes a range of tools and resources that help providers and workers understand ‘what good looks like’ when delivering supports.

New app helps participants navigate the NDIS

Down Syndrome Australia (DSA), through funding from the NDIS Commission Grants Program, has produced an app that supports people with disability to understand their rights and use the NDIS with confidence.

The Supporting My Rights app offers:

Easy Read content for people with disability
practical tools and activities to support learning
video, podcasts and resources on key topics about human rights
guidance for service providers on rights-based support.

The app has been co-designed and tested by people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability. It’s practical, easy to use and accessible. The Supporting My Rights project and resources were fully co-designed, co-produced and user-tested by people with Down syndrome or intellectual disability, with a strong focus on making sure the app was accessible.

The app also helps support workers to understand and respect the rights of people with disability. Learn more and download the app for free on the DSA website.

Key takeaway

Down Syndrome Australia has produced an app that supports people with disability to understand their rights and use the NDIS with confidence.

Stakeholder Sentiment Survey – We’d appreciate your feedback

The NDIS Commission is conducting its annual Stakeholder Sentiment Survey between 20 April and 22 May 2026. Stakeholder feedback is crucial to helping us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

We want to hear from people with disability, their supporters as well as workers and both registered and unregistered providers in the disability sector. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete.

For people with disability wishing to complete the survey, an Easy English version is available, as well as Easy Chinese and Vietnamese translated versions. Telephone assistance to complete the survey is available on request.

We’d love to hear from you. Receiving a range of views from across the sector is critical to inform the Commission’s continuous improvement.

Key takeaway

We’d be grateful if you could find a few minutes to complete our Stakeholder Sentiment Survey.

Resources for providers

Our website has a range of resources to support you deliver safe and quality services and comply with your registration:

Resources for behaviour support practitioners

Connect with us

Stay in touch with the NDIS Commission on social media:

General enquiries

1800 035 544 (free call from landlines)

Our Contact Centre is open weekdays excluding public holidays.

You'll find our operating hours and other means of contacting us on the Contact us page of the NDIS Commission website.

To provide feedback, contact the NDIS Commission by emailing
feedbackandcomplaints@ndiscommission.gov.au.

Thanks for reading!

You can find past issues of the NDIS Commission provider newsletter on our website.

The NDIA also publishes various newsletters, including a provider newsletter.