Rights in Practice: Consent, Privacy & Safe Choice

Consent: the right to say yes (and change your mind)

Consent means you have the right to choose what happens to you, every time. In the NDIS, a provider must ask before delivering supports, using language you can understand. You can say yes, no, or not sure. You can also change your mind later, even if you agreed before. Good consent is ongoing, not a one-time checkbox.

To support informed choice, you should be given clear information about what support involves, who will be there, when it will happen, and any risks or alternatives. If something feels unclear, you can ask questions or request more time to think. If you communicate in a way that needs support, your provider should work with your communication needs and support you to make the decision. If you use plan management, you may also want to check how funding is being used and whether the proposed support matches your goals and plans (for example, through MyMoney NDIS at www.planmanager.net.au).

Key takeaway: “Consent is your choice. You can say yes, or you can say no—and you can change your mind at any time.”

If consent isn’t respected, it can be a safety issue. You can tell the provider directly: “I don’t agree with this,” or “Please stop.” It’s also okay to ask for a different worker or a different approach. If you’re comparing providers, you can use My Care Finders to help you look at options and ask questions about how they get consent and handle changes to your preferences. Remember, your comfort and rights come first.

• Ask: “What support is planned, and what are my options?”
• Check understanding: “Can you explain that in a way that makes sense to me?”
• Use your right to change: “I’m changing my mind—can we pause?”
• Request support if needed: a support person, communication aids, or a new time to decide