Who the NDIS Code of Conduct applies to

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.

The NDIS Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct 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.

There are guidelines available to help both NDIS providers and workers understand their obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct.

Worker Orientation Module

Our Worker Orientation Module – Quality, Safety and You is a free elearning module that 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.

Interpreter services

Provider and support worker obligations

Supporting effective communication upholds the rights of people with disabilities to have choice and control and make decisions about their own lives.

You have an obligation under the NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Code of Conduct to support effective communication, including the obligation to offer and support access to interpreting services to help participants use their supports.

Language interpreting supports are not included in NDIS plans, however you can register with TIS National so participants and their carers can access NDIS funded interpreters. Once registered, you can book via the TIS National online booking system.

Providers or support coordinators can book a face-to-face or over the phone language support interpreter for participants.

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.

For more information about language interpreting services, visit the NDIS website.

Code of conduct on NDIS website: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about/ndis-code-conduct