Rights to Consent & Privacy: Speak Up Without Losing Control

Consent in plain English: what you must agree to

Consent means you are choosing what happens to you. Under the NDIS, your provider should explain the support in a clear way, including what will be done, how often, where it will happen, and any important risks or costs. You should not be rushed into decisions or pressured. If something changes (for example, a new therapy approach or different staff member), your provider should check again with you and follow your preferences.

In plain terms, you generally need to agree before support starts, and you can say yes, no, or “not yet”. You can also set boundaries, such as who can be in the room, what information can be shared, and how you want communication handled. If you don’t understand, ask questions. If you feel uncomfortable, you can pause or stop. If the support plan involves using your information (like assessments, incident reports, or health details), your provider should explain why and who it’s shared with.

Key consent checkpoints:

• Before first starting a support item or service
• When changes are proposed (new goals, new approach, different workers)
• Before collecting or using your personal information
• Whenever you ask for something different

Key takeaway: You keep control. Consent is not a one-time signature—it’s an ongoing choice you can review and change.

Payment and plan management also link to consent. If you use plan-managed supports, your spending may be tracked through MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au). Even when a plan is approved, you still have the right to understand what you’re paying for and to request changes if the support doesn’t match your needs. If you’re comparing providers or checking whether they respect consent and privacy, My Care Finders can help you look across options so you can choose supports that suit you.