What the Royal Commission was
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was announced on 5 April 2019. It looked at what needs to change to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, and to achieve a safe, inclusive and accessible society.
It published an interim report on 30 October 2020 and handed its final report to the Governor General on 28 September 2023. The report was released the next day. Almost 10,000 people shared their experiences through 33 public hearings, private sessions, submissions and phone calls.
What the final report covers
The final report has 12 volumes plus an introductory volume, and 222 recommendations aimed at all levels of government. The recommendations are grouped by theme, including:
- Realising the human rights of people with disability, including a proposed Disability Rights Act
- Governing for inclusion and enabling autonomy and access, including supported decision making and reducing restrictive practices
- Inclusive education, employment and housing
- Criminal justice and people with disability
- First Nations people with disability
- Disability services, including the NDIS Commission, support coordination, complaints and worker screening
- Independent oversight and complaint mechanisms
How governments responded
The Australian Government released its response on 31 July 2024. Of the 172 recommendations it has primary or shared responsibility for, it accepted or accepted in principle 130, is further considering 36, and noted 6. The other 50 recommendations sit mainly with state and territory governments, which have released their own responses, along with a joint response from all governments.
All governments agreed to report each year on progress. The 2025 Progress Report gives an update on each of the 222 recommendations, and is published by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
What it means for the NDIS
Volume 10, on disability services, has 33 recommendations for providers and the NDIS Commission. The Australian Government accepted or accepted in principle 31 of them, covering areas such as support coordination quality and independence, complaint handling, reportable incidents, registration and audit, access to behaviour support practitioners, and worker screening. It is still considering a national disability support worker registration scheme.
The government said it would act on these alongside the NDIS Review. Many of the safeguarding changes now under way, such as mandatory registration for SIL providers and NDIS platforms from 1 July 2026, the ban on kickbacks and inducements from 27 November 2026, and wider registration from 1 July 2027, sit within that broader reform program. It has also funded work to set targets to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices.
Why it matters to participants and families
The Royal Commission confirmed what many people with disability already knew: abuse and neglect are far more common for people with disability, and good safeguards depend on people being heard. You have the right to choose providers you trust, to speak up, and to complain without losing your services.
- Complain about a provider or worker to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544
- Get free help from an independent advocate through the Disability Advocacy Support Helpline on 1800 643 787
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 000
For providers
The recommendations point the same way as the NDIS reforms: stronger incident management, accessible complaints, supported decision making, fewer restrictive practices and well screened, well supported workers. Providers who build these into everyday practice now will be better placed as registration expands from 2027.