The NDIS Code of Conduct for support workers: what it means in everyday work

Who it applies to

The Code of Conduct must be followed by registered providers, their key personnel and workers, and by unregistered providers, their key personnel and workers. It also applies to providers delivering information, linkages and capacity building activities. If you deliver NDIS supports, whether you work for an organisation or on your own, it applies to you.

The Code sets out expected conduct, behaviour and culture. It is written into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Code of Conduct) Rules 2018, and the Commission can take action where it is breached.

Respect, privacy and safe, skilled support

The first commitments are about the person. Act with respect for their rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making. On a shift that means offering choices and accepting a person’s decision even when you would have chosen differently, unless safety requires otherwise and the proper process is followed.

Respect the privacy of people with disability. That covers what you say about a person to others, what you write down, and what you post online. Do not share names, photos or stories about participants without their permission.

Provide supports in a safe and competent manner, with care and skill. Say so when something is outside your training or experience, and do not agree to tasks you are not prepared or qualified to do.

Honesty, concerns and protection from harm

Act with integrity, honesty and transparency. In practice that includes being accurate about your qualifications, your hours and what you are charging, and being open with the person about who is responsible for what.

Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might affect the quality and safety of supports. Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse, and to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct. These are not only about what you do yourself: they include what you notice and what you do about it.

Fair pricing

The last commitment is not to charge or represent higher prices for goods or supplies for NDIS participants without a reasonable justification. The Commission explains fairness as no major price difference between what an NDIS participant pays and what other customers pay for the same thing, and asks providers to be able to justify their prices.

If you set your own rates, keep a note of how you arrived at them so you can explain them to a participant or to the Commission if asked.

Raising concerns, and where to learn more

Anyone can raise a concern about the safety or quality of NDIS supports, and providers must make participants feel safe to discuss issues with them. They must not threaten someone for raising a concern or complaint. Concerns about a possible breach of the Code can be reported to the Commission through its report an issue or make a complaint process.

The Commission publishes short videos on each part of the Code, a guide to the Code for workers, the NDIS Workforce Capability Framework and an online worker orientation module, “Quality, safety and you”, which is mandatory for staff of registered providers and useful for every worker.

Frequently asked questions

Who has to follow the NDIS Code of Conduct?

Registered providers, their key personnel and workers, and unregistered providers, their key personnel and workers. It also applies to providers delivering information, linkages and capacity building activities. If you deliver NDIS supports, whether you work for an organisation or on your own, it applies to you.

What does the Code of Conduct ask of a support worker?

To act with respect for people’s rights, respect their privacy, provide supports safely and competently, act with integrity, honesty and transparency, promptly raise and act on concerns about quality and safety, take reasonable steps to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct, and not charge or represent higher prices without reasonable justification.

What does fair pricing mean under the Code?

The Commission explains fairness as no major price difference between what an NDIS participant pays and what other customers pay for the same thing, and asks providers to be able to justify their prices. If you set your own rates, keep a note of how you arrived at them.

How do I raise a concern about a possible breach?

Anyone can raise a concern about the safety or quality of NDIS supports, and concerns about a possible breach of the Code can be reported to the Commission through its report an issue or make a complaint process. Providers must not threaten someone for raising a concern or complaint.

Keep learning

• Registered or unregistered? Which path suits your NDIS support business: Some supports can only be delivered by registered providers, and others can be delivered either way. Here is what each path allows, what it asks of you, and a third option.
• Setting your rates: NDIS price limits and fair pricing for independent workers: A price limit is a ceiling, not a target. How the NDIS pricing schedules apply, when they do not, and how to set a rate you can explain.
• Starting as an independent support worker: what to set up first: Working for yourself brings freedom and responsibility. This checklist covers the checks, paperwork and boundaries to get right before you take on your first client.
• How to become a registered NDIS provider: the steps and what to prepare: Registration is an application, an independent quality audit and a suitability assessment. Here is the sequence, what to have ready, and where the costs and delays usually sit.

More in our NDIS updates and insights, our step-by-step guides, or the NDIS and aged care provider directory.

Official sources

• NDIS Commission: NDIS Code of Conduct
• NDIS Commission: Fair pricing

Source checked 13 October 2026. Rules and guidance can change; verify current details with the responsible agency. How we write and check our guides.