COVID-19 Information for providers

NDIS Commission coronavirus (COVID-19) information

This page contains links to updates, training, alerts, and resources for NDIS participants and NDIS providers. This information is to inform and support NDIS providers to continue to deliver quality and safe supports and services to NDIS participants.

Outbreak management, infection control and PPE usage

Stay updated with the latest advice about COVID-19 from your state or territory's public health unit to ensure you and your workers are complying with local guidance.

The following information can assist you to prepare for and respond to a COVID-19 outbreak:

Maintaining safe and effective infection control in disability settings is more important than ever, and there are a range of online training courses for disability workers.

  • Maintaining safe and effective infection control in disability settings (nds.org.au)This recently refreshed course aims to equip workers with evidence-based knowledge to prevent and control infection according to current Work Health Safety legislation, standards and industry codes of practice. The course was developed with input from disability workers, and focuses on increasing capability of workers with little or no infection control knowledge or skill. It is available online at a fee.
  • Supporting People to Stay Infection Free (teamdsc.com.au)This course covers COVID-19 basics within an overview of the broader approaches to infection prevention and control in disability. It explores how the NDIS Code of Conduct interacts with safety and choice related to infection prevention strategies in people’s homes and community activities. The course is free and available online.
  • training.gov.au - HLTSS00064 - Infection control Skill SetThis short course is designed for existing health and allied health workers, or students studying in these areas. It may also be suitable for people working in other industries where infection prevention and control is important. It is available through a number of Registered Training Organisations at a fee and is a nationally recognised competency.
  • Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareThe Commission offers a number of learning modules and aims to provide detailed information on infection prevention and control in Australian healthcare settings. The modules are free and available online.

You can keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 information by accessing the Department of Health and Aged Care website Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Registered providers should use the Notification of event form – COVID-19 (Registered providers) to notify us of changes or events resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

New emergency and disaster management NDIS Practice Standard and Quality Indicators

A new NDIS Practice Standard and Quality Indicator will come into force from Monday 24 January 2022, providing expectations about what registered NDIS providers should have in place to prepare, prevent, manage and respond to emergency and disaster situations.

The new Standard will apply to existing registered NDIS providers.

Read more about the new NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

COVID-19 vaccine information

The Australian Government Department of Health (Department of Health) has launched dedicated information pages for people with disability and disability service providers about COVID-19 vaccines.

The Department of Health will continue to update the information on these pages, so we strongly encourage you to visit these pages regularly.

We have also developed webpages containing information and resources about the vaccine for people with disability and providers.

COVID-19 workforce vaccination

Information about COVID-19 worker vaccination is available on our NDIS workforce vaccination page.

Participant information

Visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for people with disability for links to updates about COVID-19 and resources for NDIS participants.

Frequently asked questions

Visit our webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and how it affects the services and supports you provide to NDIS participants. We will continue to update these over time.

Provider Information

Notification of changes and events related to COVID-19

Registered providers should use the Notification of event form – COVID-19 (Registered providers) to notify the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner of changes or events resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Training for NDIS workers during COVID-19

Visit our Training for NDIS workers during COVID-19 webpage for information about training available to new and existing NDIS workers.

Training module: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19

You can access an online training module for all support workers, including those in disability and aged care.

If you experience issues accessing this online training module, please email support@covid-19training.gov.au

The training covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control (IPC) for COVID-19, including: COVID-19 – what is it?, Signs and symptoms, Keeping safe – protecting participants and your workforce, and Mythbusting.

Provider alerts and communications

Other information 

  • NDIA webinar for supported independent living (SIL) providers in NSW (11 August 2021). This webinar focused on real life scenarios that providers experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NDIS Commission guidance and resources

  • COVID-19 information pack for NDIS providers and workers: This information pack consolidates the guidance and advice we have issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform, educate and remind NDIS providers of the support available to help you meet your obligations to NDIS participants.
  • What the NDIS Commission is doing: Advice for NDIS providers on how to comply with obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice Standards, how to notify the NDIS Commission of certain events, and how to reduce the risk to participants.
  • Case studies of the NDIS Commission’s compliance approach: This fact sheet uses case studies to explain some key considerations to bear in mind to comply with their obligations to keep NDIS participants safe from harm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infection prevention and control

Behaviour support and restrictive practices

Links to government resources

The Australian Government has developed the following resources for providers and workers in the disability sector.

Infection prevention and control

Supporting people with disability during COVID-19

Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities

  • The Australian Government Department of Health has developed a collection of resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities about COVID-19. 
  • The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has a dedicated webpage with health alerts and links to COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • The First People’s Disability Network’s website contains information, resources and videos to help protect yourself, Elders, family and the community from COVID-19 and keep safe.

Updates and advice: Australian Government

  • Australian Government COVID-19 updates: Visit the Australian Government website for the latest news, updates and advice on COVID-19.
  • COVIDSafe resources: Resources to help you promote your organisation as a COVIDSafe environment.
  • Department of Health updates: Daily updates on COVID-19.
  • COVIDSafe app: This app can help health officials contact people exposed to COVID-19.
  • Coronavirus Australia app: The official government Coronavirus Australia app.

Use trusted information sources

There is a lot of misinformation about COVID-19. Use trusted information sources only (such as Australian Government websites, the NDIA and the NDIS Commission). We only provide links to trusted products, services and information sources. Do not get tricked into a scam.

The Australian Government eSafety Commissioner's online safety kit helps parents and carers find reliable information.

Subscribe to NDIS Commission communications 

Related resources

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Outbreak preparedness, prevention and management

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information for providers on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

COVID-19 Provider Alert: Letter to registered providers (10 March 2020)

COVID-19 related events and changes: Letter to registered providers (24 March 2020)

COVID-19: Letter to Victorian registered NDIS providers (6 August 2020)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information pack for NDIS providers and workers

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – What the NDIS Commission is doing

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Case studies of the NDIS Commission’s compliance approach

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Behaviour support and restrictive practices

Fact sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Managing behaviours of concern and new or increased restrictive practices during COVID-19 isolation

Fact sheet: COVID-19 Vaccines: Informed consent, preparing for the vaccine, and restrictive practices

This fact sheet contains information to support registered NDIS providers to:

  • ensure their workers take reasonable precautions to protect people with disability and themselves
  • prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19
  • respond to suspected or confirmed cases in different types of service settings
  • manage an outbreak of COVID-19.