How the Practice Standards Are Structured
The NDIS Practice Standards use a three-level hierarchy:
- Outcome Groups — broad categories of quality (4 groups in the Core Module)
- Outcomes — specific results that must be achieved within each group
- Quality Indicators — measurable criteria that demonstrate each outcome is met
Auditors assess your compliance by reviewing evidence against each quality indicator. If you can demonstrate evidence for every quality indicator across all applicable outcomes, you are audit-ready. The tables below map each outcome to its key quality indicators and the evidence auditors expect to see.
Outcome Group 1: Rights and Responsibilities of Participants
This group ensures participants are treated with respect, their rights are upheld, and they are supported to exercise choice and control.
| Outcome | Key Quality Indicators | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 Person-Centred Supports | Supports are tailored to individual needs; participants are actively involved in decisions; cultural, linguistic, and communication needs are addressed | Person-centred support policy; individual support plans developed with participants; evidence of participant involvement in plan reviews; accessible communication materials |
| 1.2 Individual Values and Beliefs | Cultural safety; respect for cultural identity, values, and beliefs; culturally responsive service delivery | Cultural safety policy; cultural assessment in intake processes; staff cultural awareness training records; evidence of culturally adapted supports |
| 1.3 Privacy and Dignity | Privacy is respected; information is managed in accordance with APPs; dignity is maintained in all interactions | Privacy policy; consent forms (collection and sharing); secure information storage systems; privacy breach response plan; staff privacy training records |
| 1.4 Independence and Informed Choice | Participants are supported to make their own decisions; supported decision-making is used; dignity of risk is respected | Independence and informed choice policy; dignity of risk assessments; supported decision-making documentation; evidence of participant choice in daily routines |
| 1.5 Violence, Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination (VANED) | Systems to prevent, identify, and respond to VANED; safeguarding policies; participant awareness of complaint pathways | Safeguarding policy; complaints policy and process; participant rights statement; advocacy information; staff VANED training records; incident and complaint records |
Outcome Group 2: Provider Governance and Operational Management
This group covers the organisational systems that support quality service delivery — governance, risk, quality, information management, human resources, and financial management.
| Outcome | Key Quality Indicators | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Governance and Operational Management | Clear governance structure; fit and proper key personnel; sound organisational management; compliance with legislative requirements | Governance framework; organisational chart; key personnel suitability assessments; ABN/ASIC registration; meeting minutes showing governance oversight |
| 2.2 Risk Management | Proactive risk identification and management; emergency and disaster preparedness; WHS compliance | Risk management policy; risk register (current, reviewed regularly); emergency management plan; WHS policy; risk assessments for services, sites, and participants; incident data informing risk reviews |
| 2.3 Quality Management | Continuous improvement system; feedback mechanisms; internal auditing; policy review cycle | Quality management and CI policy; continuous improvement register; feedback collection methods and results; internal audit schedule and reports; document control register; evidence of policy reviews |
| 2.4 Information Management | Secure record keeping; records retention; incident recording and reporting; information sharing with consent | Information management policy; incident management policy; incident register; reportable incident notifications; secure storage systems; records retention schedule; consent forms |
| 2.5 Financial Management | Sound financial management; participant funds managed separately and transparently; compliance with NDIS pricing arrangements | Financial management policy; participant money policy (if applicable); participant money register; evidence of compliance with NDIS Price Guide; financial controls and oversight |
| 2.6 Human Resource Management | Qualified workforce; worker screening; recruitment practices; training and development; supervision; performance management | HR policy; recruitment policy; worker screening register; training register; supervision records; performance reviews; position descriptions; induction checklists; Code of Conduct acknowledgements; WOM completion certificates |
Every Document for Every Outcome
The SIL Rescue Kit maps 65 documents to these exact Practice Standards outcomes. Policies, forms, registers, and guides — all cross-referenced and audit-ready.
Get the SIL Rescue Kit — $297Outcome Group 3: Provision of Supports
This group covers how supports are accessed, planned, delivered, and transitioned.
| Outcome | Key Quality Indicators | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 Access to Supports | Clear and accessible information about services; fair and transparent access processes; timely response to enquiries | Access to supports policy; service information materials; intake and assessment procedures; evidence of timely response to referrals; accessible formats for service information |
| 3.2 Support Planning and Delivery | Supports align with participant goals; support plans are developed collaboratively; progress is monitored and documented; supports are delivered safely and competently | Support delivery policy; participant support plans (developed with participant); progress notes demonstrating goal-linked delivery; service agreements; evidence of regular plan reviews; staff competency assessments |
| 3.3 Service Agreements | Written agreements for all ongoing services; clear terms and conditions; agreements reflect participant needs and preferences | Service agreement templates; signed agreements in every participant file; agreements covering: supports, costs, cancellation, complaints, responsibilities, transition; evidence of agreements being reviewed when services change |
| 3.4 Transition to or from the Provider | Planned and coordinated transitions; continuity of support maintained; information shared with consent; participant involvement in transition planning | Transition policy; transition plans for participants entering or exiting services; evidence of handover to receiving providers (with consent); exit interviews or feedback; no adverse impact on participants from transitions |
Outcome Group 4: Support Provision Environment
This group covers the physical environments where supports are delivered and specific operational requirements for safe support delivery.
| Outcome | Key Quality Indicators | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Safe Environment | Safe physical environment; hazard identification and management; property maintenance; emergency preparedness at sites | Safe environment policy; property inspection records and checklists; maintenance logs; fire safety and evacuation plans; emergency drill records; hazard identification and control records |
| 4.2 Participant Money and Property | Participant funds and property managed transparently; clear receipting and accounting; separation from organisational funds | Participant money policy; participant money register; receipts and transaction records; regular reconciliation records; auditable financial records; participant access to financial information |
| 4.3 Medication Management | Safe medication practices; competent administration; accurate records; proper storage; error reporting | Medication management policy; medication administration records (MARs); medication competency assessments for workers; secure medication storage; medication error reporting and analysis; liaison with prescribers |
| 4.4 Management of Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practices | Evidence-based behaviour support; reduction and elimination of restrictive practices; proper authorisation; reporting to NDIS Commission | Restrictive practices register; BSPs for participants with regulated restrictive practices; staff training records on BSPs; authorisation documentation; Commission notification records; evidence of restrictive practice reduction strategies |
| 4.5 Infection Prevention and Control | Infection control procedures; hand hygiene; PPE; outbreak management; staff training | Infection control policy; hand hygiene protocols; PPE availability and usage; outbreak management procedures; infection control training records; environmental cleaning schedules and records |
Supplementary Modules Overview
In addition to the Core Module, providers registered in specific groups must meet supplementary module requirements. Here is a summary of the key supplementary modules:
| Module | Applies To | Key Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| SIL / SDA Module | Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation providers | Participant living arrangements; tenancy rights; house-level documentation; 24/7 support model documentation; individual and shared living considerations; participant involvement in household management |
| Behaviour Support Module | Behaviour support practitioners and providers | Practitioner qualifications; BSP development standards; functional behaviour assessment; restrictive practice reduction; lodgement with NDIS Commission; review requirements |
| High Intensity Module | Providers delivering complex health supports | Clinical competency frameworks; delegated care arrangements; complex health support procedures; specialist training requirements; clinical governance |
| Early Intervention Module | Early childhood early intervention providers | Evidence-based early intervention approaches; family-centred practice; developmental assessment; progress measurement; transition to school-age supports |
| Specialist Support Coordination Module | Specialist support coordinators | Complex needs assessment; multi-service coordination; crisis intervention; capacity building; reporting to NDIA |
Using This Reference for Audit Preparation
Follow these steps to use this reference card for systematic audit preparation:
- Identify your applicable outcomes: All Core Module outcomes apply. Check which supplementary modules are relevant to your registration groups.
- Map your evidence: For each outcome, identify what documents, records, and processes you have in place. Use the "Evidence Required" column as a checklist.
- Identify gaps: Where you lack evidence for a quality indicator, this is a potential non-conformance. Address it before your audit.
- Organise your evidence: Create an evidence folder (physical or electronic) organised by outcome number. This makes the auditor's job easier and demonstrates organisational competence.
- Conduct a pre-audit review: Walk through each outcome with a colleague and challenge yourselves: "Can we produce evidence for every quality indicator?" If not, you have work to do.
For a detailed guide on the audit day experience, see our NDIS Audit Day: A Minute-by-Minute Guide. For the most common compliance mistakes to avoid, see 20 Most Common NDIS Compliance Mistakes.
For practical support with daily compliance tasks like progress note writing, try our free Notes Rewriter tool.
Important: This article provides general guidance about NDIS compliance requirements. It is not legal or professional advice. Requirements may change as the NDIS Commission updates its policies and Practice Standards. Always verify current requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or a registered NDIS consultant before making compliance decisions.