New pilot Community Check-In Program to strengthen NDIS safeguards in the NT
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will launch a pilot Community Check-In Program in the Northern Territory to strengthen safeguards for NDIS participants and help prevent harm in regional and remote communities.
The NDIS Commission has a strong focus on the quality and safe service delivery in regional, rural and remote communities, particularly across the Northern Territory. This focus has highlighted the need for stronger local engagement mechanisms to identify participant harm, service disruption and emerging risks that may not be visible through traditional complaint pathways.
Supporting the NDIS Commission's ongoing regulatory and compliance activities, the Northern Territory Disability Advocacy Consortium (DAC) will deliver a program of accessible and culturally safe engagement. Local disability advocates will conduct check-ins with NDIS participants, families, carers and community leaders to strengthen community connections and gather feedback.
The pilot Community Check-In program will help to identify emerging safeguarding concerns, facilitate access to advocacy and referral pathways, and provide local insights to help the NDIS Commission identify and respond to risks sooner.
In line with the NDIS Commission's 2026-27 Regulatory Priorities, the program will strengthen the NDIS Commission's ability to detect and respond to sharp practices and other exploitative, coercive and dishonest conduct that undermines the integrity of the NDIS.
The program will also support the implementation of recently passed NDIS legislation that introduces new offences for providers who offer or give kickbacks and inducements, further strengthening safeguards.
The Northern Territory Disability Advocacy Consortium comprises Disability Advocacy Service, Darwin Community Legal Service, and Integrated Disability Action.
The pilot program commenced on 1 September 2026 and will run for 12 months.
Quotes attributable to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville:
“The NDIS Commission is committed to elevating the rights and experiences of people with disability.”
"NDIS participants living in remote communities should have the same confidence in the quality and safety of their supports as participants anywhere else in Australia."
"By partnering with local advocacy organisations, we're creating more opportunities for people to raise concerns, access support and understand their rights."
Quotes attributable to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade:
"This program builds on trusted local relationships and advocacy expertise to create safe, culturally appropriate opportunities for people to share their experiences."
“To be an effective regulator for some of our most isolated communities, we can’t only operate in a reactive environment led by formal complaints.”
“This an important step in our efforts to prevent harm to NDIS participants.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Disability Advocacy Service Chief Executive Officer Scott Richardson:
“We welcome this opportunity to influence real change for communities in the NT.”
“We look forward to the opportunities this will create to help improve the wellbeing of NDIS participants, particularly in some of the Territory’s most remote communities.”
ENDS
Media contact
Email: media@ndiscommission.gov.au