Emergencies and disasters, from heatwaves and floods to outbreaks and outages, can cut off a participant's supports when they need them most. NDIS providers are expected to plan for continuity. Here is what an emergency and disaster management plan should cover.
Why you need one
Participants can be highly dependent on their supports, so an interruption can be dangerous. A plan shows how you will keep delivering critical supports, or safely hand over, when normal operations are disrupted. It is part of governance and operational management at audit.
What to include
Identify likely emergencies, the participants and supports most at risk, how you will maintain or substitute critical supports, communication with participants and families, staffing contingencies, and how you will recover afterwards.
Make it participant-specific
For higher-risk participants, note individual needs: essential medication, equipment, power-dependent devices, and who to contact. A generic plan is not enough if one participant relies on continuous support.
Keep it current and tested
Review the plan regularly, after any real event, and when circumstances change. Auditors want a plan that is current and understood by staff, not one written once and filed away.
Frequently asked questions
Do NDIS providers need an emergency and disaster management plan?
Yes. Providers are expected to plan for continuity of supports during emergencies and disasters, and it is assessed under governance and operational management at audit.
What should an NDIS emergency plan include?
Likely emergencies, at-risk participants and supports, how you maintain or substitute critical supports, communication, staffing contingencies, and recovery, with participant-specific detail where needed.
How often should the plan be reviewed?
Review it regularly, after any real event, and whenever circumstances change, so it stays current and your staff understand it.
Related NDIS guides
General information for Australian NDIS providers, not legal advice. Always check the current NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements for your situation.