Working in the NDIS space means every day is different. While most shifts go smoothly, sometimes things don’t go to plan, and that’s where incident reports come in. Whether you’re new to the industry or just need a refresher, understanding what to report and why it matters is key to keeping both NDIS Members and Helpers safe.
What is an Incident Report?
An incident report is a written account of something unexpected or unsafe that happened during your shift. It’s not about getting anyone in trouble, it’s about recording the facts, so that risks can be managed and improvements can be made.
Why Incident Reports are Important
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Protecting NDIS Members – By reporting an incident, you’re helping to ensure it doesn’t happen again and that the participant gets any follow-up support they need.
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Protect Helpers and your team – If there’s ever a question about what happened, a clear report can show you acted professionally and followed procedure.
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Promote transparency and accountability – Incident reports help organisations learn, improve, and maintain high standards of care.
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Meet NDIS compliance requirements – Some incidents (called reportable incidents) must be reported to the NDIS Commission. Having accurate internal records helps ensure this happens correctly where needed.
What Should Be Reported?
You should complete an incident report for any event that involves:
1. Injury or Harm
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A NDIS Member is injured (even minor ones like cuts or bruises)
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A Helper is hurt during a shift
2. Aggressive or Unsafe Behaviour
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Pattern Verbal aggression or physical aggression should be reported
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Property damage caused during a support session
3. Missing Person / Wandering
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A NDIS Member goes missing or leaves a location unsupervised when they shouldn’t
4. Medication Errors
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Incorrect dosage given
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Missed medication
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Wrong medication administered
5. Abuse, Neglect, or Serious Allegations
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Any suspicion or disclosure of abuse or neglect must be taken seriously and reported immediately
6. Near Misses
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Something almost went wrong (e.g. a trip hazard was narrowly avoided)
- Some near misses, or identified risks may be better off documented within the Risk Assessment form
Even if something feels minor, if you’re unsure—report it anyway. It’s better to document it than to leave it out.
How to Write a Good Incident Report
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Stick to the facts – What happened, where, when, and who was involved.
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Avoid opinions or blame – Just state what you observed or were told.
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Be clear and specific – Describe exactly what occurred using objective language.
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Note actions taken – Did you call someone? Offer first aid? Remove a hazard?
- Follow the template provided – Each Member has an Incident report form accessible through their Help Plan within the Lend A Friend app. It can guide you on what to capture within your incident report
Example:
“At 10:35am, while walking with Member X at the local park, Member X tripped over a tree root and fell. I assisted them to sit on a bench. A small graze was visible on their left knee. I applied a Band-Aid from the first aid kit and notified their parent by phone at 10:45am.”
The Bottom Line
Incident reports are a normal and important part of delivering safe, high-quality NDIS support. They help protect everyone involved and create a culture where safety and accountability come first. At Lend A Friend, we see incident reporting as a sign of professionalism, not failure.
So if something happens on shift, big or small, take a deep breath, write it down, and reach out if you need support. We’re here to help.
Need help completing a report? Talk to your Care Manager and you can access our Incident Report here: www.lendafriend.com.au/contact-us/
