What evidence does an auditor or the regulator ask for under NDIS Practice Standards Core 7.1, Core 7.2, Core 7.3?

Safeguarding and abuse prevention policy and procedure; Worker training records on recognising and preventing abuse and neglect; Worker screening clearance records for risk assessed roles; Supervision and spot check records looking for warning signs; Records of advocacy information given to participants at entry; Incident files showing an advocate offered or contacted after an allegation; Procedure step requiring advocacy referral when an allegation is made; Incident register entries for allegations with dates, actions and outcomes; Investigation reports and the support provided to the partici

Rules / NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

Practice StandardsNDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicatorsndis-practice-standards--core-freedom-from-abuse

Requirement

Core module: Freedom from abuse

The Core module outcome freedom from abuse: every quality indicator the NDIS Practice Standards set for it (Core 7.1, Core 7.2, Core 7.3), what an auditor asks to see under each, the common gaps, and a free worksheet to fill in.

Clause

NDIS Practice Standards Core 7.1, Core 7.2, Core 7.3

Regulator

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Edition held

Rules Schedules 1 to 8, Compilation No. 6 (F2026C00527) and Quality Indicators Guidelines Compilation No. 3 (F2026C00528), in force 1 July 2026

Checked current

6 October 2026, Federal Register: both compilations are the latest version on 6 October 2026

Who it applies to

Registered NDIS providers audited by certification, including an individual or partnership whose only certification requirement is early childhood supports (for whom Core clause 7 and Module 3 are the whole of the Practice Standards, Rules s 20(4) and (5)).

Every clause in the standards library

NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators on the standards library

Under review, not in force

The NDIS Commission's review of the Practice Standards (a proposed quality framework and changes to the standards and how they are assessed) is still being considered; nothing from it is in force.

Core 7.1Freedom from abuse: prevention policies, procedures and practicesource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

The provider has policies, procedures and practices that actively prevent violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination, covering recruitment, supervision, culture and early warning signs.

Evidence that typically shows this

Safeguarding and abuse prevention policy and procedure
Worker training records on recognising and preventing abuse and neglect
Worker screening clearance records for risk assessed roles
Supervision and spot check records looking for warning signs

Common gap to check

Policy present but no practical prevention measures such as supervision or spot checks
Workers cannot describe signs of neglect or financial exploitation

Core 7.2Freedom from abuse: advocate information and access after an allegationsource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

Each participant is told about using an advocate, including an independent advocate, and where an allegation of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination is made, the provider helps the participant reach one.

Evidence that typically shows this

Records of advocacy information given to participants at entry
Incident files showing an advocate offered or contacted after an allegation
Procedure step requiring advocacy referral when an allegation is made

Common gap to check

No advocacy offered to the participant after an allegation involving staff
Advocacy referral left to the family

Core 7.3Freedom from abuse: allegations acted on, recorded and prevented from recurringsource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

Allegations and incidents of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination are acted on; each affected participant is supported and assisted; details and the outcomes of any reviews or investigations are recorded; and action is taken to stop similar incidents happening again. Incident and reportable incident duties under ss 73Y and 73Z of the NDIS Act and the incident management rules also apply.

Evidence that typically shows this

Incident register entries for allegations with dates, actions and outcomes
Investigation reports and the support provided to the participant
Reportable incident notifications to the NDIS Commission with timestamps
Corrective action plans and evidence they were completed

Common gap to check

Allegations handled informally with no record
No follow-up action to prevent recurrence after an investigation closed

Worksheet: what your practice holds, and where

Ref	Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable)	Where it is kept	Owner	Last reviewed	Next review
Core 7.1
Core 7.2
Core 7.3

Download the worksheet (CSV)Print the worksheet (A4)

Completing this worksheet records what your practice holds and where. It does not make a practice compliant or ready for audit, and it is not legal advice.

Related requirements

NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

Core 6.1 to Core 6.5Core module: Independence and informed choice
Core 9.1 to Core 9.8Core module: Governance
Core 5.1, Core 5.2, Core 5.3Core module: Privacy and dignity
Core 10.1 to Core 10.6Core module: Risk management
Core 4.1, Core 4.2Core module: Individual values and beliefs
Core 11.1, Core 11.2, Core 11.3Core module: Quality management
Core 3.1, Core 3.2, Core 3.3Core module: Person-centred supports
Core 12.1 to Core 12.4Core module: Information management
Every page of this instrument

The same topic in other instruments (children and families, abuse and safeguarding)

NDIS Act ss 73ZBA and 73ZCProtect disclosers: keep identity confidential and prohibit victimisation
NDIS Code of Conduct s 6(1)(f)Prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse
NDIS Code of Conduct s 6(1)(g)Prevent and respond to sexual misconduct
Children guidance P-1Support the child's own choices and communication
National Law s 237ANo reprisals against notifiers or people who assist the regulator
Ahpra shared Code of conduct 4.3Children, young people and other patients who may have additional needs

See every requirement for your practice See the specimen practice