Understanding NDIS Mandatory Reporting

Understanding NDIS Mandatory Reporting

Incident reporting is a vital part of keeping NDIS participants safe, and it’s a requirement for all registered NDIS providers. 

The NDIS is here to make life better for Australians living with disabilities, providing the care and services they truly deserve. For everything to run smoothly while protecting wellbeing, NDIS providers follow specific reporting guidelines. These guidelines are essential to maintaining transparency, accountability, and – above all – ensuring the safety of those who rely on the scheme. 

Scroll on for everything you need to know about NDIS mandatory reporting, staying  compliant and keeping your clients protected.‍

What Is NDIS Mandatory Reporting?‍

When you work with the NDIS, keeping participants safe is a top priority – mandatory reporting helps make that happen.

Registered NDIS providers must report any “reportable incidents” to the NDIS Commission. This includes any serious events that could put a participant’s safety at risk while they’re receiving NDIS support or services. It’s all about accountability, transparency, and ensuring every participant receives the care and protection they deserve. ‍

NDIS Reporting Requirements and Guidelines‍

Becoming a registered provider means meeting the NDIS Practice Standards, assessed through an independent quality audit by an approved auditor.

A big part of staying compliant? Keeping good records. NDIS providers must document everything from service delivery and billing to incidents, progress, and participant goals. Good record-keeping isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about ensuring transparency, accountability, and the best possible care.

And while some regulations vary by state, one rule is universal: mandatory reporting. This safeguard is there for a reason – to protect participants and make sure they always receive the quality care they deserve.

What is a Reportable Incident under NDIS?

Certain things can’t be overlooked. NDIS providers must report specific incidents – whether they’re confirmed or just alleged. If there’s a concern, it needs to be documented. No exceptions.

So, what counts as a reportable incident under the NDIS?

• The death or serious injury of a participant
• Any form of abuse or neglect
• Unlawful sexual or physical contact, including assault
• Sexual misconduct, including grooming
• The unauthorised use of restrictive practices
  

It doesn’t end there. Some incidents may also need to be reported to other authorities, like the police, alongside notifying the NDIS Commission. When it comes to participant safety, every detail counts.

How to Comply with NDIS Reporting Standards

NDIS mandatory reporting can feel like a never-ending to-do list, but it doesn’t have to be.

With the right tools (like GoodHuman!), staying on top of compliance is easier than ever. Less manual data entry, fewer errors, and a whole lot more time to focus on what really matters – supporting participants and spreading a whole lot of good. 

Here’s how it can support you:

1. Financial reporting, made easy 

Invoices, payroll, and payments – NDIS compliance means keeping meticulous financial records. Specialised software automates the process, reducing manual entry and ensuring everything meets NDIS standards. 

2. Employee management, sorted ‍

Managing support worker shifts manually can be time-consuming. But it shouldn't be. Software solutions make it easy to assign shifts, track hours, and receive real-time updates, so you always have the right good humans in the right places. 

3. Clear and accurate outcome reporting ‍

Participant outcomes are at the heart of NDIS reporting. With built-in case notes, Support Workers can easily log progress, keeping reports thorough, consistent, and up to NDIS expectations – keeping all your good humans on the same page. 

4. Pre-formatted templates and standardised forms 

NDIS reporting comes with strict formatting and data requirements – but you don’t have to start from scratch. Pre-built templates and standardised forms ensure reports are compliant from the get-go and reduce the risk of errors. 

5. Real-time collaboration & communication

With everyone under the same roof, Providers and Support Workers can stay connected, so everyone has access to the most up-to-date information. This is particularly helpful for incident reporting, where quick and accurate communication is essential. 

6. Secure & comprehensive record-keeping

From attendance logs to session details, NDIS reporting requires airtight record-keeping. Software keeps everything in one secure, easy-to-access place – so you’re always audit-ready.

How GoodHuman’s Incident Reporting Feature Helps with NDIS Compliance

Every detail matters when it comes to incident reporting – so nothing should slip through the cracks. With GoodHuman, your team can log incidents as they happen, right from their app, ensuring every report is complete and accurate from the start.

Once submitted, reports are automatically sent to the right person for follow-up, cutting down delays and keeping things moving. Need to escalate an issue, track progress, or ensure all documentation is in order? It’s all built into the workflow, so everyone stays in the loop, without the runaround.

FAQs 

What are the consequences of failing to comply with NDIS mandatory reporting? 

Compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s essential for protecting your business, your team, and the people you support. Falling behind on reporting can lead to penalties, loss of registration, and unnecessary stress.

GoodHuman’s built-in compliance features make staying on top of reporting effortless, so you can focus on delivering good.

What do I need to include in a comprehensive NDIS incident report?

When it comes to NDIS incident reporting, having all the right details is key. Here’s what your report should cover:

• Who’s completing the report
• Information about the participant involved
• A clear description of the incident itself
• How the incident impacted the participant
• The date, time, and place of the incident
• Contact info for any witnesses
• Any actions you took, including whether the police were notified

Getting these details right ensures everything is captured accurately and completely, giving you the best chance of staying compliant and doing what’s right for the people you support.

How do you report an incident to the NDIS? 

Here’s what you need to do to keep things compliant and ensure the best outcomes for people: 

Head to the My Reportable Incidents page in the NDIS Commission Portal. There, you’ll find two key forms:

• Immediate Notification Form (for incidents that must be reported within 24 hours).
• Five Day Form (for incidents with a longer reporting timeframe).
  

Filling out these forms can take some time – they’ll ask for details about what happened, who was involved, and what actions have been taken so far.

The NDIS recommends that two key people handle this:

• The Authorised Reportable Incidents Approver, who reviews and submits reports.
• The Authorised Reportable Incidents Notifier, who can create and save new reports.

If the NDIS Commission needs more details, they’ll email you requesting a final report, which also gets submitted via the portal. It’s all part of making sure folks get the support and protection they deserve.

What happens if you don’t meet the timeframe for NDIS mandatory reporting requirements? 

Even if you’ve responded to an incident quickly and followed your own system, reporting it to the NDIS Commission is still required. 

Missing the statutory reporting timeframes can have serious consequences, like infringement notices or other compliance actions. So, staying on top of your reporting obligations ensures everyone involved is protected and keeps you in line with the NDIS Act.

Explore GoodHuman’s incident reporting feature 

Our NDIS incident management system keeps things simple by handling reports in real-time, with automated workflows that fit right into your existing processes. This means critical information gets to the right people without any delays.

When audit time rolls around, you’ll have a clear view of the entire incident journey – from the initial report to final approval – so you can rest easy knowing nothing’s been overlooked.

Curious how it all works? Get in touch to see how we can help your team of good humans keep everything running smoothly.