NDIS rights to consent & privacy—what to do in real life

Why consent & privacy matter in the NDIS

Consent and privacy are fundamental rights in the NDIS. Consent means you choose what supports you receive, who supports you, and how they do it. Privacy means your personal information is handled carefully—only shared when it’s relevant, lawful, and you have agreed. These rights help you stay in control, feel safe, and make sure services meet your needs rather than the provider’s preferences.

In real life, consent should be asked before every important step. For example: before personal care, before changing how a support is delivered, before using photos or sharing your details with another provider, or before someone joins your appointments. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to say “Stop—can you explain options and ask again?” You can also request a support worker who is a better match, ask for a different communication style, or set boundaries about what is discussed in public areas.

Privacy also includes what happens when providers talk about you. Your details should only be used for planning, service delivery, and NDIS requirements. If you don’t want information shared, ask how it will be used and who it will be shared with. If you use plan management, you may see transactions and documents through MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au). That doesn’t replace your rights—ask questions about what’s visible and why. When comparing providers, My Care Finders can help you check what services actually offer and how they respect participant rights.

Key takeaway: If it affects your body, your routine, your money, or your information, you have the right to be asked first—and to say “yes”, “no”, or “not like that”.

• Ask for clear choices: “What are my options? What’s the impact if I say no?”
• Keep control of your information: Request details on who receives your records and why.
• Set boundaries early: Tell providers how you want support explained, paced, and documented.
• Use comparisons: When choosing or changing providers, check how they handle consent and privacy using My Care Finders.