What is the NDIS Code of Conduct?
The NDIS Code of Conduct promotes safe and ethical service delivery by setting out expectations for the conduct of both NDIS providers and workers.
The Code requires workers and providers who deliver NDIS supports to:
- act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with relevant laws and conventions
- respect the privacy of people with disability
- provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner with care and skill
- act with integrity, honesty, and transparency
- promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability
- take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse of people with disability
- take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct
- without a valid reason, not represent or charge a higher price for goods supplied to a NDIS participant that is higher than the price that would be supplied or charged to a person who is not a NDIS participant.
There are guidelines available to help both NDIS providers and workers understand their obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct.
Who needs to follow the Code?
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to:
- registered NDIS providers and their employees
- unregistered NDIS providers and their employees
- providers delivering information, linkages, and capacity building (ILC) activities
- providers delivering Commonwealth Continuity of Support Programme services for people over the age of 65.
The Code also applies to NDIS Commission employees in addition to the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct.
Supporting compliance with the Code
eLearning for workers
Our Worker Orientation Module – Quality, Safety and You explains the obligations of workers under the NDIS Code of Conduct – from the perspective of NDIS participants.
All registered NDIS providers under the NDIS Commission should include the module within their induction process for workers, and encourage existing workers to undertake the module over time, as part of their ongoing learning and to support compliance with the NDIS Code of Conduct.
Access to interpreters
You have an obligation under the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice Standards to support effective communication, including the obligation to offer and support access to interpreting services to help participants use their supports.
Learn more at Language interpreting services for providers. It is mandatory for all interpreters working with NDIS participants to have a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Where possible, you should also try to match the participant who speaks a language other than English or uses Auslan with a worker who speaks their language or uses Auslan.