A registered NDIS provider must notify the NDIS Commission within 24 hours of becoming aware of a death, serious injury, abuse or neglect, unlawful sexual or physical contact or assault, or sexual misconduct involving a person with disability. An unauthorised restrictive practice must be notified within 5 business days, or within 24 hours if it harmed the person, and the 5 business day report adds the details the 24 hour notice did not have.
Is this reportable, and by when?
Answer a few questions about the incident. The check follows section 73Z of the NDIS Act and sections 16, 20 and 21 of the Reportable Incidents Rules, and gives the notification deadline from when you became aware. Nothing you enter leaves this page.
This check explains the Rules. It is not legal advice about a particular incident, and when in doubt, notify.
What makes an incident reportable
Section 73Z(4) of the NDIS Act lists six kinds of reportable incident, when they occur or are alleged to have occurred in connection with supports or services from a registered provider. The Rules can add to or carve out of the list.
- The death of a person with disability
- Serious injury to a person with disability
- Abuse or neglect of a person with disability
- Unlawful sexual or physical contact with, or assault of, a person with disability
- Sexual misconduct against, or in the presence of, a person with disability, including grooming
- A restrictive practice used without the State or Territory authorisation for that person
Within 24 hours
The first five kinds go to the Commissioner within 24 hours of the provider becoming aware of them (Rules s 20). The 24 hour notice can be by phone or in writing and must give the provider's details, a description of the incident and its impact, the immediate actions taken (including whether police or another body were told), and who is making the notice.
If there is not enough information inside 24 hours, the provider gives what it has (the items in s 20(2)(a) to (e)) within the 24 hours and the rest within 5 business days. The Commission's guidance adds that an unauthorised restrictive practice which harmed the person also goes in within 24 hours.
“the registered NDIS provider must notify the Commissioner of the following information within 24 hours”
Reportable Incidents Rules s 20(2)
Within 5 business days
Every reportable incident not covered by the 24 hour list, which is mainly the use of a restrictive practice without authorisation or outside a behaviour support plan, is notified in writing within 5 business days (Rules s 21). For a 24 hour incident, the 5 business day report adds the witnesses and the further actions proposed (s 20(4)).
“be given within 5 business days after the provider became aware that the reportable incident occurred”
Reportable Incidents Rules s 21(2)(b)
When some details can be left out
A provider does not have to obtain or give some details, such as the description of the incident, the names of the people involved and the witnesses, if doing so would prejudice a criminal investigation or expose a person with disability to a risk of harm (Rules s 22).
Keeping the clock in front of the team
The time runs from when the provider became aware, so the hours lost between a night shift and the office opening count. Parkways classifies each incident against section 73Z when it is lodged and shows a 24 hour or five business day reportable countdown, and the incident writes its own entry to the incident register. The provider still lodges the notice with the Commission.
- Classified against s 73Z when it is lodged
- 24 hour or 5 business day countdown on the incident
- Register entry written from the incident record
NDIS reportable incidents 24 hours: straight answers
Which NDIS incidents must be reported within 24 hours?
The death of a person with disability, serious injury, abuse or neglect, unlawful sexual or physical contact or assault, and sexual misconduct including grooming (Reportable Incidents Rules s 20(1)(b)). The NDIS Commission also asks for a 24 hour notice when an unauthorised restrictive practice has harmed the person.
What has to be reported within 5 business days?
Any other reportable incident, mainly an unauthorised restrictive practice that did not cause harm (Rules s 21), plus the follow-up details for a 24 hour incident: witnesses and the further actions proposed (s 20(4)).
When does the 24 hour clock start?
When the registered NDIS provider becomes aware that the incident occurred, or is alleged to have occurred (Rules s 20(1)(a)).
Can a 24 hour notice be made by phone?
Yes. The 24 hour notice may be given by telephone or in writing. The later notices, including the 5 business day report, must be in writing (Rules s 20(5) and (6)).
Where are reportable incidents lodged?
With the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The Commission asks providers to lodge new incidents, including the 24 hour and 5 day reports, in the NDIS Commission Portal.
Sources
Read from these editions on 17 October 2026. This guide explains the rules; it is not advice on one person's pay or one incident.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, Compilation No. 28 (C2026C00451), section 73Z
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018, sections 20 to 22
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Reportable incidents (timeframes to notify)