The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026 is now in place. The Act was passed by Parliament and achieved Royal Assent on 8 April 2026. It introduces important changes to strengthen participant safety, improve provider accountability, and protect the integrity of the NDIS. (NDIS)

For NDIS participants, families, carers, support coordinators, and providers, these changes are an important reminder that NDIS supports must be delivered safely, honestly, and in line with each participant’s goals and rights.

At Assist Lifestyle, we welcome stronger safeguards that help protect participants from unsafe practices, misleading information, and poor-quality support.

What Is the NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Act 2026?

The Act updates the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, which is the main legislation that establishes the NDIS and sets out how the Scheme operates. The NDIS Act also covers how participants access the NDIS, how plans are prepared and reviewed, and how providers can become registered.

The 2026 changes aim to:

• Strengthen the powers of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• Improve participant safety
• Support stronger action against serious misconduct
• Help prevent fraud and misuse of NDIS funding
• Improve information sharing and monitoring across the sector. (NDIS)

These changes apply across the NDIS sector and are relevant to both registered and unregistered providers.

Stronger Powers to Protect NDIS Participants

A key focus of the new law is participant safety.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission now has stronger powers to detect, prevent, and respond to breaches of provider obligations. This means the regulator can take stronger action where there are concerns about unsafe practices, serious misconduct, exploitation, fraud, abuse, or neglect. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

For participants and families, this reinforces the importance of choosing providers who:

• Communicate clearly and honestly
• Follow NDIS Practice Standards
• Respect participant choice and control
• Keep accurate records
• Respond appropriately to complaints and concerns
• Prioritise safety, dignity, and wellbeing.

Tougher Penalties for Serious Misconduct

The Act introduces stronger penalties for serious provider misconduct and unsafe practices.

According to the NDIS Commission, civil penalties for providers can increase from a previous maximum of $412,500 to more than $15 million in serious cases where a participant is hurt or injured under a provider’s care. New criminal offences may also carry penalties of up to 5 years’ imprisonment, including for failing to comply with a banning order or delivering supports that require registration without being registered. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

These measures are designed to protect people with disability and help ensure NDIS supports are delivered safely and ethically.

Anti-Promotion Orders and Misleading Advertising

Another important change is the introduction of anti-promotion orders.

These orders are designed to restrict advertising or marketing that undermines the integrity of the NDIS or misleads participants. This may include advertising that encourages misuse of NDIS funding or makes false or misleading claims about supports. (NDIS)

This is especially important because participants and families rely on clear, accurate information when making decisions about their supports.

NDIS providers should avoid language that:

• Guarantees outcomes that cannot be promised
• Pressures participants to spend funding
• Suggests a support is automatically funded when this depends on the participant’s plan
• Misrepresents registration, pricing, or service scope
• Encourages supports that are not reasonable and necessary.

At Assist Lifestyle, we aim to keep our communication clear, respectful, and transparent, so participants can make informed choices.

Expanded Banning Powers

The Act also expands banning order powers. The NDIS Commission can now take action against a wider range of people involved in the sector, including providers, workers, auditors, business advisers, and consultants. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

This matters because poor advice or unethical business practices can affect the quality and safety of supports delivered to participants.

A safer NDIS sector depends on everyone involved acting with integrity.

Stronger Information Gathering and Monitoring

The new law also gives the NDIS Commission stronger information-gathering, monitoring, compliance, and enforcement powers. (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)

For providers, this means it is important to have strong internal systems, including:

• Accurate service records
• Clear incident reporting processes
• Current participant support plans
• Staff training records
• Complaint and feedback systems
• Safe document storage
• Transparent billing practices.

Good systems are not just about compliance. They help protect participants, workers, and providers.

What This Means for Participants and Families

For participants and families, the new NDIS integrity and safeguarding changes highlight the importance of asking the right questions before choosing a provider.

You may wish to ask:

• Is the provider registered with the NDIS?
• What supports can they provide under my plan?
• How do they match support workers to participants?
• How do they manage complaints or feedback?
• How do they keep participants safe?
• How do they communicate changes to supports?
• How do they ensure staff are trained and suitable?

A good provider should be able to explain their services in plain English and support your right to choice, control, dignity, and safety.

Choosing an NDIS Provider on the Sunshine Coast

When choosing an NDIS provider, it is important to look for more than availability. The right provider should take time to understand your goals, preferences, support needs, communication style, and daily routine.

Assist Lifestyle provides NDIS supports across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Nambour, Gympie, and surrounding areas.

Our services include:

• NDIS Core Supports
• Assistance with Daily Living
• Personal Care
• Domestic Assistance and Cleaning
• Community Access and Social Participation
• Transport Support
• Psychosocial Recovery Coaching
• Support Coordination
• Capacity Building Supports
• Employment Support
• Support in Finding and Keeping a Job
• Home and Living Supports
• Individualised Living Options
• Supported Independent Living
• Short Term Accommodation / Respite

Our approach is person-centred, practical, and respectful. We focus on matching supports to each participant’s needs, goals, preferences and NDIS plan.

Where included in a participant’s NDIS plan, employment-related supports may assist with building work-ready skills, developing routines, strengthening communication, exploring suitable pathways, and staying connected with relevant employment services. These supports are tailored to the participant’s goals and individual circumstances.

Helpful NDIS Links

• Helpful NDIS Links

  For more information, you can visit:

  • Assist Lifestyle NDIS Services
  • Assist Lifestyle Core Supports
  • Assist Lifestyle Home and Living Supports
  • Assist Lifestyle Individualised Living Options
  • Make a Referral to Assist Lifestyle
  • NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding updates
  • 2026 amendments to the NDIS Act
  • NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013

Final Thoughts

The NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Act 2026 is an important step towards a safer, more accountable, and more transparent NDIS sector.

For participants, this means stronger protections and clearer expectations for providers. For providers, it reinforces the need to deliver services safely, ethically, and in line with participant goals.

At Assist Lifestyle, we are committed to providing respectful, reliable, and person-centred NDIS supports across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas.

If you are looking for an NDIS provider who values safety, transparency, and genuine support, you are welcome to connect with our team.

Scope Areas: Sunshine Coast | Noosa | Nambour | Gympie | Surrounding Areas

Disclaimer

This article is general information only and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your individual circumstances, please refer to the official NDIS and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission resources or seek independent professional advice.