Informed consent

Agreeing to something after being given clear information and understanding it, freely and without pressure.

What it means

Informed consent is voluntary agreement given by a person who has been given clear, accessible information and genuinely understands what they are agreeing to. This includes understanding their choices, what will happen, and any risks involved. It is more than a signature on a form; it is a real decision made with the right information.

For consent to count, it must be given freely, without pressure, manipulation or being rushed. The person also needs the information in a way they can understand, which might mean plain language, an interpreter, Easy Read, pictures, or extra time. Importantly, consent can be withdrawn at any point, and saying yes once does not mean agreeing to everything forever.

In practice

In the NDIS, informed consent applies to many everyday situations, such as sharing your personal information, starting or stopping a service, and how supports are delivered. A provider should explain what they are asking, why, what the alternatives are, and what could go wrong, then check that you actually understand before proceeding.

Good practice means giving people time to ask questions and to change their mind. Consent should be specific rather than a blanket agreement, and it should be revisited when circumstances change. If a person needs support to decide, that support should help them make their own choice, not make the choice for them. You can always ask a provider to slow down, explain again, or wait until you are ready.

A real example

For example, before sharing Daniel's health information with a new therapist, his provider explained exactly what would be shared, who would see it, and why it would help. They gave Daniel an Easy Read summary and time to ask questions, then checked he was comfortable before going ahead. Daniel agreed, knowing he could change his mind later.

Informed consent — FAQs

What is informed consent?
Informed consent is voluntary agreement given by someone who has clear, accessible information and understands what they are agreeing to, including their choices and any risks. It must be given freely, without pressure, and it can be withdrawn at any time. In the NDIS it applies to things like sharing your information, and starting, changing or stopping services and supports.
Can I withdraw my consent after giving it?
Yes. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and agreeing to something once does not lock you in forever. You can change your mind about sharing information, a particular support, or how a service is delivered. Let the provider know, and they should respect your decision. Withdrawing consent is your right and should not lead to you being treated unfairly.
What makes consent 'informed' rather than just agreement?
Consent is informed when you have been given clear, accessible information and genuinely understand it before agreeing. That means knowing what you are agreeing to, what your other options are, and any risks involved. A signature alone is not enough. If information was hidden, confusing, or you felt pressured or rushed, the consent was not truly informed.
How should a provider make sure I understand?
A provider should explain things in a way that suits you, using plain language, an interpreter, Easy Read, pictures, or extra time as needed. They should say what they are asking, why, the alternatives, and what could go wrong, then check that you understand rather than assume. Giving you space to ask questions and to change your mind is part of doing this well.
Does informed consent apply to sharing my information?
Yes. Before sharing your personal or health information, a provider should explain what will be shared, with whom, and why, then get your agreement. You can say no, or agree only to certain information being shared. Because consent can be withdrawn, you can also change your mind later. Sharing information without your informed consent is generally not acceptable.

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