What supported decision making means
The idea is simple: decisions about your life are yours. If you need help to make a decision, the help should build your ability to decide, not replace it. That help might be information in Easy Read, more time, a picture board or communication device, or a family member or friend who knows you well talking the options through.
It sits in contrast to substituted decision making, where someone else, such as a guardian, decides on your behalf. Supported decision making comes first, and substituted decision making should be a last resort.
What the NDIS Act says
Several parts of the NDIS Act point the same way:
- Section 17A: people with disability are presumed, so far as is reasonable, to have capacity to determine their own best interests and make decisions that affect their lives
- Section 4: people with disability should be supported to exercise choice, including taking reasonable risks, and to engage as equal partners in decisions that affect them
- Section 5: anyone acting on behalf of a person with disability should involve them in decisions and, where possible, let them decide for themselves
- Section 80: a nominee must find out the participant's wishes and act to promote their personal and social wellbeing
The NDIA's Supported Decision Making Policy
The NDIA released its Supported Decision Making Policy in 2023, built with people with disability. It follows the four National Decision Making Principles recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission. Its implementation plan has five themes:
- More opportunities for participants to make decisions
- Helping participants build decision making skills and knowledge
- Building the skills of decision supporters, such as family and friends
- Building the skills of NDIA staff and partners
- A stronger supported decision making approach when nominees are appointed, operate and are reviewed
The SIL Practice Standard on supported decision making
Since SIL providers had to register from 1 July 2026, they must meet new SIL Practice Standards, one of which is about supported decision making. Its intent is that decisions are made by participants, not for them, about their daily life, routines, relationships and home.
Providers must give information in the way each person understands best, support the dignity of risk, help people make informed decisions about mainstream services outside the home, have policies for supported decision making, and train workers in it. The standard expects providers to uphold the participant's will and preferences, even when these conflict with the preferences of the provider or a decision supporter.
Nominees and supported decision making
A plan nominee can make some decisions about your plan for you, and a correspondence nominee can receive letters for you. Even then, a nominee's duty is to find out your wishes and act for your wellbeing, and the NDIS rules can require nominees to support you to make decisions yourself.
The 2026 reforms added a new offence for abusing the position of nominee for personal gain or to cause harm. If you are worried about how a nominee is acting, you can contact the NDIA.
Getting help with decisions
Some help with decision making can be funded in your plan where it is reasonable and necessary. For example, the 2026/27 Pricing Schedule includes assistance with decision making, daily planning and budgeting, with a price limit of $73.58 an hour in most of Australia, higher in remote areas. Support coordinators, psychosocial recovery coaches and independent advocates can also help you think through choices, and advocacy is free.
- Tell your providers how you like information given to you
- Choose who you want as decision supporters and tell the NDIA
- Ask for time to think before you agree to a service agreement or plan change
- Ask for Easy Read, an interpreter or Auslan where you need it