Support Coordinator Reportable Incidents and the 24-Hour Rule
How support coordinator reportable incidents work: the six categories, the 24-hour rule, who must notify the NDIS Commission, and your escalation role.
What counts as a reportable incident
The 24-hour rule and the other deadlines
Do support coordinators actually have to report?
The support coordinator's real job when an incident happens
How to notify the Commission
A worked example
Unauthorised restrictive practices
Your incident management system
Common mistakes and edge cases
How this sits with the Code of Conduct and conflict of interest
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
What is the 24-hour rule for NDIS reportable incidents?
Registered NDIS providers must notify the NDIS Commission of most reportable incidents within 24 hours of their key personnel becoming aware. This covers death, serious injury, abuse or neglect, unlawful sexual or physical contact, and sexual misconduct. Unauthorised restrictive practices have a longer five-business-day window, and a detailed follow-up report is due within five business days of the initial notification.
Does an unregistered support coordinator have to report incidents?
An unregistered standard coordinator does not lodge formal reportable incident notifications with the Commission in their own name, because that duty applies to registered providers. But the NDIS Code of Conduct still requires you to prevent and respond to harm, so you must escalate concerns, ensure the responsible registered provider reports, and make a complaint to the Commission yourself if they do not.
Who reports a reportable incident when it happens at another provider?
The registered provider where the incident occurred, in connection with the supports they delivered, carries the notification duty. As the coordinator you should confirm in writing that they are reporting and get the reference number. If they refuse or fail to act, you can lodge a complaint directly with the NDIS Commission, since anyone can make a complaint.
Are specialist support coordinators still required to be registered in 2026?
Yes. As at mid-2026, mandatory registration for specialist support coordination (registration group 0132) remains in force, so specialist coordinators are registered providers with full reportable incident obligations. Mandatory registration for standard support coordination (group 0106) was paused in December 2025. Confirm the current position on ndiscommission.gov.au before relying on it.
Is an unauthorised restrictive practice a reportable incident?
Yes. Using a restrictive practice without the required State or Territory authorisation and a behaviour support plan is a reportable incident, notifiable within five business days. This includes chemical, physical, mechanical, environmental restraint and seclusion. If you see practices that look restrictive and are not in a plan, treat it as a safeguarding red flag and escalate.