Rights and safeguards
The NDIS Commission is looking into seclusion. How can you share your experience?
· Written by the Forward Planning Plus team · Last reviewed 22 October 2026
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This is general information only. It isn't legal advice. Some readers may find this topic distressing.
Who this is for: NDIS participants, families and carers, and support coordinators who want to share an experience with the inquiry or help someone else do it.
What is the NDIS seclusion inquiry?
It's an Own Motion Inquiry by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, Louise Glanville. The Commission says it will:
- understand the causes and impacts of seclusion practices
- assess whether existing safeguards are effective
- develop recommendations to strengthen oversight, improve provider practices, and maximise participants' independence, autonomy and freedom of movement.
Why now? The Commission says the inquiry started in response to complaints, reportable incidents and other regulatory intelligence. The Commissioner is concerned people with disability may be subjected to unlawful or unnecessary deprivation of liberty through prolonged authorised seclusion, and routine or unauthorised seclusion.
What counts as seclusion?
The NDIS rules define seclusion as:
"the sole confinement of a person with disability in a room or a physical space at any hour of the day or night where voluntary exit is prevented, or not facilitated, or it is implied that voluntary exit is not permitted"
So it isn't only a locked door. The Commission says these practices can limit a person's freedom of movement by stopping them leaving a room, area or environment, or by making them believe they can't leave.
Seclusion is one of the regulated restrictive practices under the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018. The NDIA's behaviour support guideline says:
- a restrictive practice must be included in your behaviour support plan and follow the authorisation process in your state or territory
- it can only go in the plan if it's the least restrictive option to keep you and others safe
- the NDIA can't fund seclusion rooms.
New to these terms? Our NDIS glossary explains the common ones.
Who can share their experience?
The Commissioner invites contributions from:
- NDIS participants
- families and carers
- advocates
- providers and workers
- peak bodies, researchers and other interested people.
You don't need to be an expert. The Commission says contributions may include lived experience, observations, evidence, research, examples of practice, or insights into using, preventing and eliminating seclusion.
How do you send a submission?
By email: seniorpractitioner@ndiscommission.gov.au
A few practical pointers:
- Check the inquiry page first for any updates or a closing date: Deprivation of liberty, NDIS Commission.
- Say whose experience it is, yours or someone you support, and what you'd like the inquiry to understand.
- Know how it may be used. The Commission says insights may also be used in its wider regulatory work, and any concerns about non-compliance or participant risk will be escalated through its existing regulatory and referral processes.
- Want help to write it? The NDIS Commission says an independent disability advocate can speak, act or write on behalf of a person with disability. You can find one through the Disability Advocacy Finder, linked from the Commission's help from an advocate page.
Is there a closing date?
None is published. The inquiry page, last updated 9 October 2026, gives the email address but no closing date. The Commission expects to deliver findings and recommendations in February 2027. If timing matters to you, check the page before you send.
What if something is happening right now?
The inquiry looks at the bigger picture. It isn't the way to get urgent help. The NDIS Commission says:
- Emergency, or someone's life might be at risk: call triple zero 000.
- Someone could be harmed soon, but it's not an emergency: call the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544 (TTY 133 677; National Relay Service, ask for 1800 035 544). Interpreters can be arranged.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (7:30am to 3:30pm in WA), closed on public holidays.
- Can't call or prefer writing? Report an issue online: Report an issue or make a complaint.
- You don't have to give your name. You can ask for your report to be anonymous or confidential.
What's trending in NDIS this week?
Four things in NDIS news for the week of 26 October 2026, each from an official source.
1. NDIS at Senate estimates (28–29 October)
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee's supplementary budget estimates run on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October. The program lists the National Disability Insurance Agency and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on Thursday 29 October. Times are indicative only.
Hearings are broadcast, including on the Parliament's YouTube channel.
2. Last week to have your say on NDIS prices
The NDIA's consultation on its annual pricing review for 2027–28 prices closes on 1 November 2026. Participants, families and carers can complete a participant survey or send a submission through NDIS Engage.
3. Four NDIS support prices go up on 1 December
The NDIA says the maximum prices for four NDIS support items, including house cleaning and house or yard maintenance, rise from 1 December 2026, linked to a Fair Work Commission wage decision. Providers must discuss any proposed changes to existing service agreements with you, and you must agree first. Read what the 1 December price rise means for your plan.
4. New service agreement resources
On 13 October 2026 the NDIA released a new service agreement template, checklist, guidance and Easy Read resources, developed with the NDIS Commission. Using the template isn't mandatory. The NDIA says the resources help participants know what to look for when reviewing a service agreement.
More dates in one place: NDIS changes and key dates.
How Forward Planning Plus can help
Forward Planning Plus is a registered NDIS plan manager (NDIA registration 4050161030) with a Queensland-based team. Learn more about how our plan management works.
- We work alongside your support coordinator.
- Our portal sends low-funding alerts.
- We call back within 24 hours on business days.
Related reading:
Frequently asked questions
What is the NDIS seclusion inquiry?
It's an Own Motion Inquiry by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, launched on 9 October 2026, into the use of seclusion in disability support services. It will look at the causes and impacts of seclusion, whether safeguards are effective, and make recommendations.
How do I make a submission to the seclusion inquiry?
Email it to seniorpractitioner@ndiscommission.gov.au. The Commission invites contributions from participants, families, carers, advocates, providers, workers and others, including lived experience and observations.
When does the seclusion inquiry close?
The Commission's inquiry page doesn't list a closing date (checked 22 October 2026). Findings and recommendations are expected in February 2027.
What counts as seclusion under the NDIS?
The NDIS rules define seclusion as the sole confinement of a person with disability in a room or physical space where voluntary exit is prevented, or not facilitated, or it is implied that voluntary exit is not permitted.
Can I report a safety concern instead?
Yes. In an emergency call 000. If someone could be harmed soon, call the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544, or report an issue online.
You can ask for your report to be anonymous or confidential.
Can an advocate help me?
Yes. The NDIS Commission says an independent disability advocate can speak, act or write on behalf of a person with disability. You can find one through the Disability Advocacy Finder.
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026
General information only. This isn't legal advice. For urgent safety concerns, call 000 or the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544. Always check the latest on ndiscommission.gov.au and ndis.gov.au.