Supported Decision-Making in the NDIS
Supported decision making in the NDIS: how you're helped to make your own choices, how it differs from substitute decision-making, and who can support you.
Supported decision-making is a simple but powerful idea: people with disability have the right to make their own decisions, with the right help. It's the approach the NDIS prefers, over having someone decide on your behalf. This guide explains what supported decision-making means, how it differs from substitute decision-making, and how to build the support that lets you lead your own choices.
What supported decision-making means
Supported versus substitute decision-making
The principles behind it
Who can support your decisions
What good support looks like
Supported decision-making and your plan
Building your decision-support network
Frequently asked questions
What is supported decision-making in the NDIS?
Supported decision-making is where a person with disability is given the help they need to make and communicate their own decisions, rather than someone deciding for them. The decision stays yours; support is in understanding information, weighing options and expressing your choice. It's the…
How is supported decision-making different from substitute decision-making?
In supported decision-making, you make the decision with help. In substitute decision-making, someone else, like a guardian, makes it for you. Substitute arrangements are meant to be a last resort, used only where a decision genuinely can't be made even with good support.
Who can help me with supported decision-making?
Often the people already in your life: family, friends, partners, advocates and trusted support workers. You can have different supporters for different decisions. Support usually happens informally through trusted relationships, and doesn't require anyone to be formally appointed.
Can I build decision-making skills through my NDIS plan?
Yes. You can set building your capacity to make decisions as a goal, funded through your Capacity Building budget, so you grow more confident and independent over time. Supported decision-making runs through choosing providers, setting goals and preparing for reassessments.