NDIS Commission's role and responsibilities

Our role is to promote the provision of safe and quality supports and services to people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We are responsible for delivering nationally consistent and responsive regulation of all NDIS supports and services.

Responsible Minister

The Hon Stuart Robert MP, as Minister for the NDIS, had ministerial responsibility for the NDIS Commission, including the exercise of specific powers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act), for the entire reporting period.

The Accountable Authority

The Accountable Authority was Mr Graeme Head, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, for the entire reporting period except for 4 to 15 November 2019 inclusive, during which time Ms Samantha Taylor was Acting Commissioner.

Commencement of NDIS Commission operations

The NDIS Commission was established through amendments to the NDIS Act to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services, investigate and resolve issues related to quality and safety, strengthen the skills and knowledge of NDIS providers and workers, and support NDIS participants across Australia to have a stronger voice. This fulfils the Australian Government’s major responsibility under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in early 2017.

From 1 July 2019, we commenced operations in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. On 1 December 2020, we will commence in Western Australia. New South Wales and South Australia commenced on 1 July 2018.

NDIS Commission accountabilities

As a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Social Services portfolio, we are accountable under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and the Public Service Act 1999 (Public Service Act).

Jurisdiction of the NDIS Commission

We regulate quality and safeguarding in the delivery of all NDIS-funded supports and services to NDIS participants.

The NDIS Commission Corporate Plan

This Annual Report, including the Annual Performance Statements, was prepared in the context of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Corporate Plan 2019–2020.

The purpose of the NDIS Commission as stated in the Corporate Plan is “…to work with people with disability, providers and the community to deliver nationally consistent, responsive and effective regulation of providers, [and to] promote the delivery of safe and quality supports and services to people with disability under the NDIS. [The Commission] will approach its responsibilities in a consultative and inclusive way [and] will be guided by the underpinning principles outlines in the NDIS Act.”

Purpose and outcomes

Our purpose and outcomes, as listed in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2019-20, are outlined below: