NDIS Rights: Consent & Privacy—What To Do In Real Life

Consent 101: You choose, you can pause, you can change

In the NDIS, consent means you have a real say in what happens to you. Before services start, ask questions in plain language: what support will be provided, who will provide it, where it will happen, and how it will be delivered. If something feels uncomfortable or not aligned with your goals, you can say no or ask for a different approach. You do not need to explain everything—just be clear about what you want.

You can also pause. If you need time to think, you can pause in the middle of a session or before a new task begins. A good provider will respect your pace and check in with you. For example, you can ask: “Can we slow down?” or “I’m not comfortable with that—can we stop and try something else?” If you change your mind later, that is still your choice. Consent isn’t a one-time checkbox.

If your support involves sharing personal information (for example, medical details, support notes, or behaviour information), it still needs consent. Ask how your information is stored, who can access it, and why it is collected. If you use plan management, you can also discuss how providers charge and how claims are handled with MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) so you stay informed about what is being funded.

Key takeaway: You choose. You can pause. You can change. If a provider won’t respect that, you have every right to raise your concerns or look for a better fit.

When you’re comparing providers, use consent and communication as your test. Ask to see how they handle consent, privacy, and incident reporting. If you’re unsure, My Care Finders can help you compare options and understand what questions to ask before you commit. Make it easier on yourself: write down your preferences, bring a support person if you want, and keep notes after sessions about what happened and what you agreed to.

• Use simple phrases: “I do not consent to this.” “Please pause.” “Let’s do it differently.”
• Confirm consent before every new activity, not just at the start.
• Ask about privacy: who sees your information, and how it’s protected.
• If something doesn’t feel right, talk to your provider and seek support from My Care Finders to compare alternatives.