Rights to Decision-Making & Consent—Practical Guide

What “choice and control” looks like (in real situations)

Choice and control means you can genuinely influence what support you get, when you get it, and who helps you. In real life, this might look like you deciding between different support options, choosing a preferred worker gender or personality, or agreeing on a schedule that fits your routine (like morning appointments if that suits your energy levels). It also means you can say “not like that” and have the provider work with you to adjust.

Consent is part of choice and control. Before support begins, you should be asked clearly—without pressure—whether you agree to the specific support, how it will be done, and what personal information is needed. For example, if your provider wants to change how they support you with personal care, they should explain the reason, ask for your agreement, and respect your boundaries. If you’re unsure, you can ask questions, request a different approach, or ask for information in a format you understand.

It’s also about having choices around funding and payments. If you manage your plan using plan management, you can use tools like MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) to help you track budgets and understand what support categories are being used. This supports stronger decision-making—so you’re not surprised by costs and you can steer services in your plan. If you’re comparing providers, My Care Finders can help you identify what options are available and how providers approach choice and control.

Key takeaway: Choice and control is not just being offered a “default”—it’s being asked, listened to, and supported to make decisions that reflect your preferences.

• Before support: you’re given clear options (not just one way), and your consent is confirmed.
• During support: you can pause, change the plan, or request a different approach.
• After support: you can review what worked, report concerns, and ask for improvements.