Emergency Preparedness for NDIS Providers

Natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, heatwaves, and severe storms can happen without warning. For people with disability, these events can pose serious risks to safety, wellbeing, and continued access to essential supports. As an NDIS provider, your role in emergency preparedness is critical — both in safeguarding participants and in fulfilling your regulatory responsibilities.

This guide outlines your obligations, key planning strategies, and tools to help you support participants effectively before, during, and after an emergency.

Why It Matters

In an emergency, people with disabilities may face additional barriers, such as difficulty evacuating, the need for assistive equipment or life-support devices, and communication barriers. Without planning, these factors can delay help or reduce the effectiveness of your response.

As a provider, your proactive planning ensures continuity of care, reduces risk to participants and staff, and strengthens overall service resilience. It also helps meet your responsibilities under the NDIS Practice Standards, particularly those related to Emergency and Disaster Management.

Key Elements of an Effective Emergency Plan for NDIS Participants

1.        Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

For participants who may need assistance during an evacuation (due to mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairments), develop a PEEP that includes:

• The participant’s specific disability and support needs

• Evacuation assistance or supervision requirements

• Alternative transport arrangements and backup equipment

• Safe, accessible refuge locations

  
  

PEEPs should be regularly reviewed and shared with relevant staff and support persons. Consider completing a PEEP in collaboration with a Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC), especially for participants living in shared or supported accommodation.

2.        Provider Emergency Response Plan

This should outline how services will operate during and after a disaster. Key components include:

• Staff roles and responsibilities during emergencies

• Communication protocols for informing participants, families, and emergency services

• Continuity planning for remote support, staffing back-up, and technology access

• Emergency contact lists, including local councils and response partners

This plan should be accessible to staff at all levels and embedded into daily operations, especially in high-risk regions.

3.        Staff Training and Emergency Drills

Ensure your workforce is trained and confident in responding to emergencies. This includes:

• First aid and manual handling training

• Familiarity with participant-specific emergency plans and PEEPs

• Participation in regular emergency drills, particularly in group homes or supported accommodation settings

Training should also cover how to support participants with anxiety or sensory needs during disruptions.

4.        Emergency Kits at Service Locations

Maintain emergency kits at all service sites with supplies to support participants and staff for up to 72 hours. Recommended contents include:

• First aid supplies

• Flashlights, radios, and portable chargers

• Copies of critical medical records and support documentation

• Backup assistive technology if feasible

• Bottled water, hygiene products, and basic consumables

Review and update kits regularly to ensure everything is in working order and not expired.

5.        Planning for Specific Disasters

Cyclones, Severe Storms, and Power Outages

• Ensure backup power for critical equipment (e.g., ventilators, powered beds)

• Encourage participants to register with their electricity provider as life support customers

• Plan for charging needs and refrigeration of medications

  
  

Floods

• Avoid locating services in high-risk flood zones

• Develop relocation plans for participants and vital equipment

• Store important documents in waterproof containers and digital formats

  
  

Bushfires

• Monitor alerts through local fire services

• Identify fire-prone areas and implement “leave early” protocols

• Keep transport and emergency kits ready during fire season

Heatwaves

• Adjust service hours to avoid peak heat periods

• Monitor participants for signs of dehydration or heat stress

• Identify local cooling centres (e.g., libraries or community hubs) as backup locations

  
  

NDIS Supports for Emergency Planning

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises the importance of emergency preparedness. While the NDIS does not fund general disaster response or recovery, it may fund disability-related supports that assist with preparation, such as:

• Support Coordination to help develop an emergency plan or ensure that your emergency requirements are integrated into your NDIS plan

• Consumables for personal care during prolonged disruptions

• Assistive Technology (AT) such as backup equipment or emergency communication aids

Final Thoughts

Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. As a provider, your leadership, planning, and staff readiness are essential to reducing harm and ensuring continuity of supports in any emergency.

Review your organisation’s policies regularly, ensure your workforce is trained and prepared, and collaborate with participants to embed emergency planning into their supports.

For additional resources, visit the NDIS and bushfire and emergency support