In April 2026, Parliament passed some of the toughest new laws in the history of the NDIS — the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026. These laws are designed to protect participants from exploitation, fraud, and poor-quality providers, while giving regulators more power to act when things go wrong.

As a participant or family member, it is important to understand what these changes mean for you and what new protections you now have.

Why Were These Laws Introduced?

The NDIS has grown significantly since it launched, and unfortunately so has the number of people attempting to exploit it. Reports of fraudulent providers, overcharging, and in some cases outright abuse of participants prompted the government to act. The new laws represent the second tranche of major legislative reforms to the NDIS Act, aimed at protecting the scheme and most importantly protecting participants.

It is worth noting that this Act is separate from the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in May 2026 and proposes further changes to eligibility, planning, and provider arrangements. That Bill was still before Parliament as at July 2026 — check the NDIS website for its current status. The Integrity and Safeguarding Act covered in this article has already passed and is now law.

Key Changes Under the New Laws

Stronger Powers for the NDIS Commission

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission now has significantly stronger powers to investigate, prosecute, and penalise providers who do the wrong thing. The Commission can move more quickly to suspend or ban providers who pose a risk to participants, rather than going through a lengthy process.

Higher Penalties for Provider Misconduct

Providers who commit serious breaches now face dramatically higher penalties. Fines for serious breaches of the NDIS Code of Conduct have increased by up to 40 times — from a previous maximum of $412,500 to more than $15 million where serious misconduct leads to the death or serious injury of a participant.

The Act also introduces criminal offences for the first time. Delivering supports that require registration — such as supported independent living — without being registered is now a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Failing to comply with a banning order issued by the NDIS Commission carries the same maximum sentence. This is intended to send a clear message that exploitation of NDIS participants will not be tolerated.

Stronger Protections Against Fraud

New measures target fraudulent providers who charge for supports that were never delivered, inflate invoices, or misuse participant funding in other ways. The laws make it easier for the NDIA and NDIS Commission to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraudulent behaviour.

Better Information Sharing

The new laws improve the ability of the NDIA and NDIS Commission to share information with each other and with state and territory agencies. This means concerning behaviour can be identified and acted on more quickly, rather than falling through gaps between agencies.

Anti-Promotion Orders and Smarter Claims

The Act creates new anti-promotion orders, allowing the Commission to crack down on businesses that advertise NDIS supports in misleading ways or trick participants into misusing their funding. It also modernises the claims process, with mandated electronic claim forms and a new power for the NDIA to request evidence before a claim is paid — making it harder for fraudulent invoices to slip through.

What Does This Mean for You as a Participant?

These laws strengthen your rights and your safety as an NDIS participant. Here is what you should know:

• You have the right to receive the supports you are being charged for. If a provider is charging your NDIS plan for services you did not receive, this is now subject to stronger penalties and investigation powers.
• You can report concerns about a provider to the NDIS Commission at 1800 035 544. With stronger powers, the Commission is better equipped to act on your complaint.
• You have the right to change providers if you are unhappy with the quality of supports you receive. No provider can lock you in against your will.
• If you feel unsafe or believe you are being exploited, speak up. Contact the NDIS Commission, your Support Coordinator, or a trusted family member or advocate.

TIP:Keep records of the supports you receive. Note the date, time, and what the support worker did. This protects you if a provider ever disputes what was delivered.

How to Spot a Provider Doing the Wrong Thing

Signs that a provider may not be operating with integrity include:

• Charging for hours or services you did not receive
• Pressure to spend your funding quickly without clear reason
• Resistance to providing invoices, service records, or progress notes
• Workers who arrive late or leave early but record full hours
• Discouraging you from speaking with your Support Coordinator or family

You Deserve a Provider You Can Trust

At Help at Hand Support Services, integrity is not just a legal obligation — it is part of who we are. We provide transparent invoicing, detailed service records, and open communication with participants and their families. We welcome oversight and hold ourselves to the highest standards.