NDIS Rights: Consent & Choice at Every Step

Consent & choice: the plain-English definition

Consent and choice means you have the right to decide what happens to you, every step of your NDIS journey. It also means services should only proceed when you say “yes” in a clear and informed way. This includes supports in your home, in the community, during appointments, and even changes to how your support is delivered. If you’re not comfortable or you’re unsure, you can ask questions, request alternatives, or say “no”.

Your choice should be real, not just a formality. Providers should explain the support in plain language, including what will happen, when it will happen, how it will be delivered, any costs (if relevant), and any risks or limits. If there are options in your plan, you should be supported to choose between them. If you need help understanding information, you can ask for communication supports, and you can bring a support person (if appropriate) to help you make decisions.

Key takeaway:

“You don’t have to agree to anything you don’t understand or feel ready for. Your ‘yes’ must be informed, and your ‘no’ should be respected.”

If plan management is involved, consent and choice still apply. For example, if you are using MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) or another plan manager, you can still choose the providers and supports that best fit your goals. Plan management is about how payments are managed, not about taking away your decision-making. If you want to compare provider options, My Care Finders can help you look at different providers and ask the right questions so you can choose confidently.

• Ask: “What are my options?” and “What happens if I don’t want this?”
• Request changes early—before supports start—not after you’ve felt pressured.
• If something isn’t right, tell the provider, your support coordinator (if you have one), and consider making a complaint.