Rights to Safe, Respectful Support: Speak Up Plan

What your rights look like in real life

In real life, your rights mean you can expect safe, respectful support every time you receive help. This includes being treated with dignity, your personal preferences being followed where possible, and your support workers communicating in a way that feels respectful to you. You can also expect supports to be delivered the way they are written in your plan—no surprise changes, no skipping steps that are important to your health and safety.

You have the right to speak up if something isn’t right. For example, if a worker uses harsh language, doesn’t respect your privacy, arrives late repeatedly without notice, or ignores your communication needs, you can raise it. Start with what you need in simple terms: “Please talk to me calmly,” “Please ask before you touch my things,” or “Can we use my communication book?” If you feel unsafe or pressured, you can stop the interaction and ask for help from your provider’s manager or a trusted person.

If you’re using a plan manager, your budgeting and invoices should match what you agreed to in your plan. You can check your service arrangements and ask questions about charges or gaps in support. Many people use MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) to help them stay on top of plan-managed services, but you should still contact your provider to resolve issues directly first.

Key takeaway: Your rights aren’t just on paper—if support doesn’t feel safe or respectful, you can ask for changes, report concerns, and request a review of how your supports are delivered.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. My Care Finders can help you compare providers and support options, so you can look for practical signs of good support—like clear communication, staff who follow your needs and boundaries, and systems for handling complaints. When you compare, ask questions about how they respond to concerns, how they protect your privacy, and how they make sure your choices are heard.

• Privacy: Your personal information should be handled carefully and only shared with permission or as required by law.
• Choice and control: Your preferences should guide how and when supports happen.
• Complaints: You can make a complaint without punishment, and it should be taken seriously.
• Safety: If there’s a risk to your wellbeing, it must be addressed quickly.