How do I complain about an NDIS provider?

Last checked: 1 November 2026

The short answer

If an NDIS provider or support worker gives you unsafe, poor or missing supports, or treats you badly, you can tell the provider and you can report it to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The Commission can work with you and the provider, order the provider to act, and in serious cases ban providers or workers. It does not deal with NDIA decisions about your plan or funding. If someone is in danger now, call 000.

Key dates and time limits

• There is no set time limit to report a provider to the Commission, but report as soon as you can.
• Registered providers must tell the Commission within 24 hours about deaths, serious injuries, abuse or neglect, assaults and sexual misconduct involving a person with disability.
• Registered providers must tell the Commission within 5 business days about an unauthorised restrictive practice that caused no harm.
• The Commission aims to finish half of its complaints within 90 business days.

Step by step

1. 1

   If someone is at risk

   If a life is at risk or it is an emergency, call 000. If a person with disability could be harmed soon but it is not an emergency, call the Commission on 1800 035 544 as soon as you can.

2. 2

   Raise it with the provider

   If you feel safe to do so, tell the provider first. Providers must handle complaints quickly and fairly and must not threaten you for complaining. Registered providers must have a complaints system and help you go to the Commission if needed.

3. 3

   Report it to the Commission

   Call 1800 035 544, use the online form, or write to PO Box 210, Penrith NSW 2751. You can stay anonymous or ask for your report to be kept confidential. Family, friends or an independent advocate can report for you or with you.

4. 4

   Know what the Commission covers

   It deals with abuse, neglect, unsafe or poor supports, supports stopping, providers not handling complaints, misuse of NDIS funds, unfair prices, privacy breaches and unfair practices. It does not handle plan or funding decisions, guardians or public trustees, or employment and invoice disputes.

5. 5

   What happens next

   The Commission assesses the risk and decides what to do. It may help you resolve it with the provider, require the provider to take action, investigate, or in serious cases ban a provider or worker or cancel a registration. Highest priority goes to harm, negligence, repeated breaches and human rights violations.

6. 6

   Complaints about the NDIA

   Problems with NDIA decisions, plan funding or response times go to the NDIA, not the Commission. If you are unhappy with how the NDIA or the Commission handled your complaint, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can look at how your complaint was handled but cannot change a decision. To challenge a decision itself, ask for an internal review.

Who can help

Forms and the law