About this resource
Choosing a provider is an important decision. This guide gives participants a list of questions to ask about the support, the workers, costs, communication, cancellations and how concerns are handled, with a simple comparison table for up to three providers.
Purpose
To help participants ask the questions that matter to them and compare providers with confidence.
Who it is for
Primary profession: NDIS providers and support coordinators. Also relevant for disability support workers, social workers.
Client or participant group: NDIS participants, families and nominees choosing a provider, and support coordinators assisting them.
Practice setting: Support coordination and participant meetings with prospective providers.
Suggested uses
- Meeting prospective providers
- Support coordination conversations
- Comparing options
- Building participant confidence and choice
Instructions for practitioners
- Help the participant choose the questions that matter most to them.
- Encourage the participant to lead the conversation where possible.
- Support the participant to compare options without steering their choice.
- Remind participants they can change providers.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Tick the questions you want to ask.
- Write the answers.
- Compare the providers.
Accessibility considerations
Read aloud or use with an interpreter. A support person can attend meetings.
Scope and limitations
A question guide. It does not recommend particular providers and is not an official NDIS document.
Research basis
This resource is designed to align with the NDIS Practice Standards and Code of Conduct; using it does not by itself demonstrate compliance. Human rights frameworks and research on the dignity of risk support people's right to make their own choices, including choices that involve some risk. Case management practice standards describe assessment, planning, coordination, review and planned exits with the person at the centre.
- Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand. (2013). National standards of practice for case management (3rd ed.). https://www.cmsa.org.au/
- Ibrahim, J. E., & Davis, M. (2013). Impediments to applying the ‘dignity of risk’ principle in residential aged care services. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 32(3), 188–193. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12014
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. NDIS Code of Conduct. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-code-conduct
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-practice-standards
- United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-persons-disabilities
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
