What evidence does an auditor or the regulator ask for under NDIS Practice Standards Core 6.1 to Core 6.5?

Supported decision-making procedure; Participant files showing options and information provided before decisions; Records of the participant's own choices, including where they differ from the support network's view; Dignity of risk policy; Risk assessments completed with the participant that record the choice made and agreed safeguards; Progress notes showing a risky choice supported rather than refused; Policy on relationships, sexuality and intimacy; Worker training records on supporting sexual expression and relationships; Support plans or notes showing how privacy for relationships is sup

Rules / NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

Practice StandardsNDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicatorsndis-practice-standards--core-independence-and-informed-choice

Requirement

Core module: Independence and informed choice

The Core module outcome independence and informed choice: every quality indicator the NDIS Practice Standards set for it (Core 6.1 to Core 6.5), what an auditor asks to see under each, the common gaps, and a free worksheet to fill in.

Clause

NDIS Practice Standards Core 6.1 to Core 6.5

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: registered for early childhood supports, specialist behaviour support, implementing behaviour support plans or regulated restrictive practices, or specialised support coordination. An individual or partnership whose only certification requirement is early childhood supports meets only Core clause 7 (freedom from abuse) and Module 3 (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 6.1Independence and informed choice: active decision-making with timely accessible informationsource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

The provider supports each participant to make active decisions and individual choices, giving them timely information in the language, communication mode and terms they are most likely to understand.

Evidence that typically shows this

Supported decision-making procedure
Participant files showing options and information provided before decisions
Records of the participant's own choices, including where they differ from the support network's view

Common gap to check

Decisions made by family or staff with no record of the participant's own view
Information about options provided after the decision was made

Core 6.2Independence and informed choice: dignity of risk respectedsource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

The provider supports each participant's right to the dignity of risk when making decisions and, where needed, helps them weigh the benefits and risks of the options being considered.

Evidence that typically shows this

Dignity of risk policy
Risk assessments completed with the participant that record the choice made and agreed safeguards
Progress notes showing a risky choice supported rather than refused

Common gap to check

Activities stopped because of risk without the participant's involvement
Risk assessments written about the participant rather than with them

Core 6.3Independence and informed choice: autonomy, intimacy and sexual expressionsource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

The provider respects each participant's autonomy, including their right to intimacy and to sexual expression.

Evidence that typically shows this

Policy on relationships, sexuality and intimacy
Worker training records on supporting sexual expression and relationships
Support plans or notes showing how privacy for relationships is supported

Common gap to check

Blanket house rules banning visitors or partners
Workers unsure how to respond to a request about relationships

Core 6.4Independence and informed choice: time to consider options at every stagesource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

Each participant has enough time to consider and review their options and to get advice if they want it, at every stage of support: assessment, planning, delivery, review and exit.

Evidence that typically shows this

Records of the date options were offered and the date the participant decided
Service agreement and plan sign-off timelines showing no rushed agreement
Notes of referrals to independent advice where the participant asked

Common gap to check

Agreements signed on the day they were first presented
Exit or change decisions made without time for the participant to seek advice

Core 6.5Independence and informed choice: access to an advocate of choicesource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

The provider supports each participant's right to an advocate of their choosing, including an independent advocate, and their right to have that advocate present.

Evidence that typically shows this

Information given to participants about advocacy services, including independent advocates
Records of advocates attending meetings, reviews or complaint discussions
Advocacy section of the participant rights policy

Common gap to check

Advocates excluded from meetings or not given notice
Participants not told independent advocacy is available

Worksheet: what your practice holds, and where

Ref	Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable)	Where it is kept	Owner	Last reviewed	Next review
Core 6.1
Core 6.2
Core 6.3
Core 6.4
Core 6.5

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 5.1, Core 5.2, Core 5.3Core module: Privacy and dignity
Core 7.1, Core 7.2, Core 7.3Core module: Freedom from abuse
Core 4.1, Core 4.2Core module: Individual values and beliefs
Core 9.1 to Core 9.8Core module: Governance
Core 3.1, Core 3.2, Core 3.3Core module: Person-centred supports
Core 10.1 to Core 10.6Core module: Risk management
Core 11.1, Core 11.2, Core 11.3Core module: Quality management
Core 12.1 to Core 12.4Core module: Information management
Every page of this instrument

See every requirement for your practice See the specimen practice