NDIS Participant Rights and Responsibilities Policy Template for Disability Service Providers

What's in this template?

This NDIS Participant Rights and Responsibilities Policy template is aligned to Core Module 1 of the NDIS Practice Standards (Version 4, November 2021) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). It provides a comprehensive framework for upholding, promoting, and protecting the rights of NDIS participants — covering choice and control, dignity of risk, cultural safety, advocacy access, and complaint mechanisms.

The template covers 13 sections:

1. Purpose — commitment to upholding participant rights aligned to NDIS Practice Standards, NDIS Act, Code of Conduct, UNCRPD, and anti-discrimination legislation
2. Scope — all participants, families, carers, nominees, and all workers across all aspects of service delivery
3. Legislative and Regulatory Framework — NDIS Act 2013, Practice Standards, Code of Conduct, UNCRPD, Disability Discrimination Act, Privacy Act, Human Rights Act
4. Participant Rights — comprehensive list including dignity, choice and control, privacy, freedom from abuse, advocacy access, dignity of risk, cultural safety, interpreter access, independence and inclusion
5. Participant Responsibilities — respectful treatment, accurate information provision, communication of changes, safety procedures, complaint processes (non-conditional)
6. Promoting and Protecting Rights — rights documents at intake, verbal explanations, accessible displays, worker training, advocacy support, clear service agreements, regular feedback
7. Choice and Control — collaborative planning, flexible arrangements, alternative provider information, risk decisions, skill development, informed consent
8. Dignity of Risk — open risk discussion, informed decision-making, documentation, risk mitigation, duty of care boundaries, worker training
9. Cultural Safety — cultural identity respect, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander considerations, interpreter services, CALD supports, cultural safety feedback
10. Advocacy and Support — independent advocacy access, advocate welcome at meetings, NDAP contacts, local advocacy services
11. Feedback and Complaints — multiple channels, no reprisal, complaints policy reference, NDIS Commission direct complaint
12. Related Policies — cross-references to Complaints, Incidents, Privacy, Service Delivery, Governance, Behaviour Support, Code of Conduct
13. Review History — version control and approval

Editable placeholder fields

• {{practice_name}}, {{abn}}, {{ndis_registration_number}}, {{practice_address}}, {{phone}}, {{email}}
• {{responsible_person}} — key personnel / responsible person
• {{complaints_officer_name}} — person receiving complaints
• {{complaints_email}} — complaints contact email
• {{review_date}}, {{next_review_date}}

NDIS Practice Standards requirement

Core Module 1 — Rights and Responsibilities for Participants requires that participants understand and exercise their rights, and that providers respect and promote those rights. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's quality indicators specify that providers must demonstrate:

• Participants are informed of their rights in a format they can understand
• Participants exercise choice and control over their supports
• Participant dignity, privacy, and autonomy are respected
• Participants are supported to access independent advocacy
• Cultural safety is promoted and cultural identity is respected
• Participants can raise concerns and make complaints without fear of reprisal
• Dignity of risk is understood and upheld by workers

The NDIS Verification Module Required Documentation Guide lists participant rights and responsibilities as a required policy area for all registered providers. During a verification audit, auditors will review the rights policy, check that participants have received rights information, examine how choice and control is supported, and interview participants about their experience.

For providers undergoing certification audit, the assessment includes evaluating how rights are embedded in everyday practice, the quality of advocacy support arrangements, and evidence that participant feedback drives service improvements.

How to customise this template

1. Download the Word document and fill in all {{placeholder}} fields with your organisation's details
2. Create an accessible rights document — develop a participant-facing rights and responsibilities document in Easy Read or other accessible formats
3. Establish advocacy links — identify and document local advocacy services and include their contact details
4. Set up interpreter access — arrange access to interpreter and translation services (e.g., TIS National for telephone interpreting)
5. Train workers on dignity of risk — develop scenario-based training on balancing dignity of risk with duty of care
6. Create a cultural safety plan — develop guidelines for providing culturally appropriate supports
7. Review your service agreements — ensure they clearly explain participant rights and are in accessible language
8. Set up regular feedback mechanisms — implement annual satisfaction surveys and other feedback channels

Frequently asked questions

Is a participant rights policy required for NDIS registration?

Yes. Rights and responsibilities for participants is part of Core Module 1 of the NDIS Practice Standards, which applies to all registered NDIS providers. The Verification Module Required Documentation Guide requires evidence that participants are informed of their rights and that rights are promoted in practice. Without a participant rights policy, you cannot pass a verification or certification audit.

What is dignity of risk?

Dignity of risk is the principle that participants have the right to make their own decisions about their lives, including decisions that involve a degree of risk. It recognises that taking risks is a normal part of life and is essential for learning, growth, and independence. Providers must balance dignity of risk with duty of care — supporting participants to make informed decisions while intervening only when there is a risk of serious harm. ClinicComply recommends documenting risk discussions and participant decisions in the support plan.

How should we provide rights information to participants?

Rights information should be provided at intake in the participant's preferred format and language. This may include Easy Read documents, large print, audio formats, Auslan interpretation, or translated materials. Rights should also be explained verbally, and participants should be given the opportunity to ask questions. Display rights information in common areas and revisit rights during plan reviews.

What is the difference between choice and control?

Choice refers to the participant's right to make decisions about their supports — what supports they receive, who delivers them, and how they are delivered. Control refers to the participant's ability to direct how their supports are managed and implemented. Together, choice and control are foundational principles of the NDIS, reflecting the scheme's person-centred approach. Providers must actively support participants to exercise both.

Are we required to provide access to advocacy services?

Yes. The NDIS Practice Standards require providers to support participants to access independent advocacy at any time. This means informing participants about advocacy services, welcoming advocates to meetings and planning processes, and not discouraging participants from seeking advocacy support. Contact details for advocacy services should be readily available, and workers should know how to assist participants in contacting an advocate.

What cultural safety considerations apply to NDIS service delivery?

Cultural safety means providing supports that respect and value each participant's cultural identity, beliefs, practices, and language. This includes providing interpreter and translation services for participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, understanding the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, accommodating religious and cultural practices, and ensuring workers receive cultural safety training. Feedback from participants about cultural safety should be actively sought and acted upon.