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2SkillAdmin
Reportable Incidents in the NDIS: What Every Support Worker Must Know
Keeping Participants Safe Through Proper Reporting and Compliance
Under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework, reportable incidents are serious events that must be documented and reported to the NDIS Commission. Support workers play a vital role in recognising, responding to, and reporting these incidents to ensure participant safety, uphold human rights, and maintain compliance for their organisation.
Understanding what counts as a reportable incident—and how to take the right actions—is essential for anyone working in disability support.
What Is a Reportable Incident?
A reportable incident is a serious event that has caused harm, or could have caused harm, to an NDIS participant. The NDIS Commission requires providers to notify them when specific types of events occur.
There are five categories of reportable incidents:
1. Death of an NDIS participant
Any participant death must be reported immediately and managed with sensitivity and accuracy.
2. Serious injury of a participant
This includes fractures, significant wounds, and any injury requiring urgent medical attention.
3. Abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Including physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse.
4. Unlawful sexual or physical contact
Any inappropriate, unconsented, or criminal contact must be escalated without delay.
5. Use or alleged use of a restrictive practice
Unplanned, unauthorised, or inappropriate use of restrictive practices must be reported.
Why Reporting Matters
Reportable incident requirements exist to:
Protect participants from harm
Ensure accountability and transparency
Prevent repeated safety failures
Improve provider practices
Promote a culture of safeguarding
Support workers are often the first to witness or become aware of incidents, making their knowledge and actions critical.
How Support Workers Should Respond
When a reportable incident occurs, workers must take three steps:
1. Ensure Immediate Safety
Protect the participant, remove risks, and seek emergency support if needed.
2. Notify Your Supervisor or Manager
Timely communication is essential to ensure the organisation can submit an official NDIS notification.
3. Document What Happened
Record factual, clear, and objective details including:
What occurred
When and where it happened
Who was involved
Actions taken
Any follow-up required
High-quality documentation supports investigation, compliance, and participant wellbeing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Support workers must NOT:
✖ Delay reporting because they are unsure
✖ Change details to “soften” the situation
✖ Leave out information out of fear or uncertainty
✖ Assume someone else will report it
If in doubt, always report. It is better to over-notify than under-report.
Linking to Other Compliance Skills
Understanding reportable incidents connects to multiple other essential skills, including:
Regulated Restrictive Practices — knowing when use becomes reportable
Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Awareness — recognising early signs
All these modules—and more—are available through 2Skill’s online compliance training library.
Build Your Compliance Confidence with 2Skill (14-Day Free Trial Available)
2Skill offers industry-aligned online courses that help workers understand NDIS reporting rules, safeguarding responsibilities, and best practices. With the 14-day free trial, you can begin learning immediately and develop stronger incident-response skills without upfront commitment.
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