What Module 3 covers and who needs it
The NDIS Commission's Supplementary module: Early childhood supports applies to NDIS providers registered to deliver early childhood supports to participants. The matching registration group is early intervention supports for early childhood (0118), which sits on the certification pathway, so Module 3 is assessed on top of the full Core Module.
The module has seven outcomes:
- The child. Supports promote and respect the child's legal and human rights, support the development of functional skills, and help the child take part in everyday activities with their peers.
- The family. Each family receives family-centred supports that are culturally inclusive, responsive and focused on the family's strengths.
- Inclusion. Supports engage the child's natural environments and enable inclusive, meaningful participation in family and community life.
- Collaboration. The child receives coordinated supports from a team made up of the family, the provider and other relevant providers.
- Capacity building. Supports build the knowledge, skills and abilities of the family and other collaborating providers to support the child's learning and development.
- Evidence-informed practice. Supports come from providers with quality standards and validated practice.
- Outcome-based approach. Supports are outcome-based and goal-focused, with documented plans and measured progress.
What auditors look for
Early childhood audits test whether family-centred practice is real, not just a phrase in the policy. Expect the auditor to sample child files and talk to your practitioners about:
- Plans built with the family. Support plans that reflect the family's priorities and choices, with evidence the family took part in assessment and planning.
- Everyday settings. Assessment and supports delivered in the child's natural environments and everyday routines, at home and in the community.
- Teamwork around the child. A clear key worker, information sharing with other providers, and transition planning when the child moves between services.
- Coaching and capacity building. Records showing how practitioners coach families and other carers, not only direct therapy sessions.
- Measured outcomes. Functional goals, progress measures and reviews, in documentation the family can understand.
- Practitioner capability. Appropriate expertise and continuing professional development matched to the supports delivered.
How the package maps to Module 3
| Audit scope | What the package provides |
|---|---|
| Core Module | Governance, risk management, incident and complaints handling, worker screening, continuous improvement and quality management documents |
| Module 3 | Family-centred practice frameworks, developmental assessment processes, therapy planning templates, progress monitoring systems and transition planning |
| Other modules | Modules 1, 2, 2a, 4 and 5 are included too, if your registration groups bring them into scope |
Every document is an editable Word file, so you can adapt the frameworks to your practitioners, your service model and the families you work with. See the full package contents, or how the modules fit together in NDIS Practice Standards explained.
This page is general information based on NDIS Commission and government sources at the date shown. It is not legal or professional advice, and the rules can change. Check the NDIS Commission's current requirements and read our disclaimer.