Your NDIS Rights: Privacy, Consent & Decision Support

Rights in plain language: privacy, dignity, and consent

You have the right to have your personal information kept private. This means your NDIS plan details, medical history, address, phone number and support needs should only be shared with people who need it to provide your supports, or when you’ve given permission. Providers should explain how they collect, store and use your information, and you can ask how your data is protected. If you’re comparing providers, My Care Finders can help you understand what questions to ask and how different services handle privacy and dignity.

Dignity means you’re treated with respect in every support you receive. You should be spoken to politely, included in decisions, and supported in a way that protects your privacy (for example, having curtains or screens when needed, asking before entering your room, and using respectful language). If something feels unsafe or degrading, say so. You can request changes, including different staff where possible, or different ways of delivering the same support.

Consent is your choice. Before any support, you should understand what will happen, who will be involved, when it will occur, and any risks or alternatives. If you don’t want a certain activity, you can say “no” or ask for it to be changed. Consent should be ongoing—just because you agreed once doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind later. If you need help making decisions, your provider should use decision support to help you understand options and express your preferences, without taking over.

Key takeaway: Your privacy, dignity and consent are not optional—supports should be planned around what you want, not what’s easiest for the provider.

If your plan uses plan management, you may also have rights about how invoices and services are checked and recorded. If you use MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au), ask how your supports are reported, what information is shared, and how you can review claims. If something doesn’t feel right, raise it with the provider first, then use My Care Finders resources to compare approaches and find a better fit.