Access an existing NDIS plan

Why this is important

If you are representing, advocating for or supporting someone who has applied for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, their personal information is protected. If you can access this information, it can help build a better understanding of what services they should have access to. 
 
See Access the NDIS for more information about the NDIS, making an application, and understanding plans. 

See NDIS assistance to find out who to contact if you have enquiries about eligibility, access and complex needs. 

Who is this guide for? 

The information on this page is aimed at advocates and support workers who are trying to find out about someone’s NDIS plan and information. If you are trying to access your own information or have been authorised to access someone else’s the NDIS guide to accessing information can help.

To find out more, you can contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA):

• information.access@ndis.gov.au
• 1800 800 110

If you have consent to access someone’s information

Step 1. Get permission through a consent form

If someone wants to give you access to their NDIS information and plan, the NDIA’s consent forms allow them – or their authorised representative – to provide consent.

There are two kinds of consent that can be given:  

• The Consent for the NDIA to Share Your Information form allows someone to give permission for their advocate, support worker or someone else to access their information, including their NDIS plan.
• The Consent for a Third Party to Act on Behalf of a Participant form allows someone to give permission for their advocate, support worker or someone else to act on their behalf while interacting with the NDIA. 

What does the NDIA mean by 'consent'? 

The NDIA defines consent to mean that a person freely and voluntarily agrees to share their personal information. For consent to be valid and accepted, it must be clear that:

• The person is able to understand and communicate that they are consenting
• The person is adequately informed before they give consent about what they are consenting to
• The person gives the consent voluntarily
• The consent is current and specific

Consent must also include:

• The named individual or organisation consent is given to
• A description of the scope, limits and purpose of the consent
• The period for which consent is given. This may be for a single occasion, indefinitely or until the end of a particular event

To return a completed consent form to the NDIA, you can:

• Email it to enquiries@ndis.gov.au
• Mail it to NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
• Visit your Local Area Coordinator or a NDIS Office in your area

If someone has given consent through either of these forms, they can change or remove it at any time by calling 1800 800 110 or contacting the NDIA using the contact details above.

Step 2. Submitting your information request

Once you have the person’s official permission, you can make a request for information.

You need to:

• Tell the NDIA the specific information you want access to. This might include things like a copy of the person’s plan, information collected at their planning meeting, reasons for their plan or reasons for plan review decisions
• Provide evidence that you have the person’s consent to access their information by attaching a copy of the completed consent form
• Provide information to verify your identity   

To submit your information request, you can:

• Use the online Participant Information Access form
• Email it to information.access@ndis.gov.au
• Call 1800 800 110

If you are unable to get consent

The NDIA recognise that it is not always possible to get someone’s consent to access their information or NDIS plan. In very limited circumstances, they can release information to state agencies and other organisations without this consent. Examples of these circumstances can be found on the NDIS website.

All requests for information are assessed on a case-by-case basis, to decide whether sharing the information is in the public interest. Requests for information from state agencies are covered by the NDIA’s Information Sharing Protocol.

To apply, you need to fill out an Information Request Form explaining in detail: 

• Why you have not been able to reasonably obtain consent
• The specific information you require
• Why you need it and
• What the information will be used for

You will also need to explain who you are and who you are requesting information about. To submit the form: 

• Email your request to information.requests@ndis.gov.au
• Mail it to Legal Services Branch, National Disability Insurance Agency, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601.

If the request is urgent, explain why in your request form and covering email, provide the date you require the information and describe any other relevant circumstances. The NDIA will prioritise requests if they determine that there is a genuine urgency. 

Requests for information because of a threat to someone’s life, health or safety

Requests for information to prevent or lessen a serious threat to someone’s life, health or safety should not go through this request process (see s60(2)(e) NDIS Act). Instead, you can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to talk about it. 

Serious threats to life, health or safety include when someone is experiencing or at risk of experiencing harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. This can be physical or emotional, and the NDIA assess reported threats on a case-by-case basis. 

Questions and issues with NDIS information sharing

If you have issues or questions about eligibility, access and plans see Access the NDIS and NDIS assistance.

To contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) directly, call 1800 800 110 or email information.access@ndis.gov.au.

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