📖 Easy Read Edition: This guide uses simple words and clear picture cards. Switch to the Full Standard Edition of this Policy Page [Opens in new window].
Terms, Conditions, and NDIS Consent Guide – Easy Read
Written by Jenny Mathers | Principal Support Coordinator, Author & Carer Advocate
💡 At a Glance & Overview
⏱️ Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Central Goal: This combined Easy Read guide explains how you use our website, how we ask for your consent for NDIS support, how we protect your privacy, and how we keep our support coordination 100% independent from external family businesses.
- Document Reference: SG-TC-CONSENT-ERG-2026-v1.0 (Effective Date: 12 September 2026, Version 1.0, Approved by Jenny Mathers).
- Using Our Website: Our website information is free to read and share for personal support. You are always treated with respect.
- NDIS Consent & Privacy: You decide what information you share with us. We only share details needed for your support plan, with your agreement.
- Independent Family Store: Jenny’s son owns and operates an independent online store selling books and other curated items on his own domain. Steady Guide does no cross-promotion and never mentions the store during support coordination.
- Choice & Control: We always show you 3 independent choices for services (The Three Provider Rule).
- Your Rights: You can involve an advocate, ask to fix wrong information, or lodge a complaint anytime without fear.
🗺️ What is in This Guide (Quick Navigation)
- Section 1: Document Control & What This Guide Is About
- Section 2: Using Our Website Safely and Respectfully
- Section 3: NDIS Consent and Sharing Your Information
- Section 4: Supported Decision-Making and Independent Advocacy
- Section 5: Independent Family Retail Store & Ethical Firewall
- Section 6: Choice, Control & The Three Provider Rule
- Section 7: Privacy, System Firewall, and Data Protection
- Section 8: How to Give Feedback or Make a Complaint
- Section 9: Governing Laws and Contact Information
Section 1: Document Control & What This Guide Is About
| Reference | Version | Effective Date | Approved By | Review Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG-TC-CONSENT-ERG-2026-v1.0 | 1.0 | 12 September 2026 | Jenny Mathers | 12 September 2027 |
This document combines two important policies into one Easy Read guide: our Website Terms and Conditions and our NDIS Consent & Disclosure Terms. It explains your rights, how we work together, and how we protect your choices.
Section 2: Using Our Website Safely and Respectfully
Our website (steadyguide.com.au) provides free educational resources, policy disclosures, and contact forms for regional Queensland families:
Free to Read and Share
You are welcome to read, download, and share our website articles and Easy Read guides for your personal learning. You cannot copy or sell our articles for business profit.
General Information Only
The articles on our website give general education about NDIS pathways. They do not replace formal clinical, legal, or medical advice tailored to your personal plan.
Section 3: NDIS Consent and Sharing Your Information
When you ask Steady Guide to provide Support Coordination, we need your consent (permission) to work together safely:
Giving Consent Freely
You decide what information you want to share with us. You can say yes, say no, or change your mind at any time.
Sharing Details for Your Supports
We only share your information with therapists, service providers, or the NDIA when it is necessary to build your support plan, and only with your agreement.
Safe File Storage
Your personal files, plans, and notes are stored securely in encrypted, bank-grade Australian database servers in Astalty and Microsoft 365.
Section 4: Supported Decision-Making and Independent Advocacy
We respect your autonomy. You are the boss of your life and your NDIS plan:
You Make the Decisions
We listen to your goals, give you clear choices, and support the decisions you make.
Involving Your Support Network
If you want help making decisions, you can ask family members, friends, or trusted supporters to join our meetings.
🤝 Right to an Independent Advocate
You have the right to use an independent advocate at any time to help you express your wishes, ask questions, or make a complaint. You can find an advocate using the Disability Advocacy Finder.
Find an Advocate (Disability Advocacy Finder) [External Link – Opens in new window]Section 5: Independent Family Retail Store & Ethical Firewall
Jenny Mathers’ son owns and operates an independent online store selling books and other curated products on his own separate domain. We maintain a strict ethical firewall between our support coordination and his business:
Wholly Separate Business Entity
The online store is owned 100% by Jenny’s son on his own domain. Steady Guide receives zero money from product sales and does not run any retail shop.
No Cross-Promotion
Steady Guide does not market, advertise, or link to the son’s store or products on our website, social media pages, or newsletters.
No Discussion During Services
Steady Guide workers are strictly forbidden from mentioning or discussing the store or its items during Support Coordination meetings or calls with participants.
NDIS Plan Funding Rule
You never need to buy anything to receive support from Steady Guide. Under NDIS scheme rules, NDIS plan funds cannot be used or claimed to purchase physical commercial goods or retail products from external stores.
Section 6: Choice, Control & The Three Provider Rule
We believe in complete freedom of choice. We never steer you toward any single provider or business:
How the Three Provider Rule Works:
- We listen to the support or service you want to access.
- We find three independent, quality options in your area.
- We present all three options openly without favoring any business.
- You make the final choice on who you want to work with.
🌐 Transparent Referral Directory
In accordance with our Three Provider Rule and Ethical Firewall, Steady Guide publicly registers active, non-exclusive referral pathways.
Explore Active Referral Pathways Directory [External Link – Opens in new window]Section 7: Privacy, System Firewall, and Data Protection
We obey the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) to keep your personal records safe:
Complete System Segregation
Your participant records in Astalty CRM and Microsoft 365 are physically isolated. They are never shared with marketing tools, social media ads, or external software.
No Spam & Easy Opt-Out
Subscribing to our Steady Steps email newsletter is always voluntary. Every email includes a 1-click unsubscribe button.
Right to Fix Wrong Details (APP 13)
If any personal details we hold about you are wrong or out of date, you can ask us to fix them for free. We will respond within 30 days.
Section 8: How to Give Feedback or Make a Complaint
We welcome your feedback. Telling us when something is not working helps us improve our service:
💬 Submit Online Feedback or Complaint
You can submit feedback or lodge a complaint online. Submissions are securely transmitted directly into our encrypted Astalty database.
Submit Online Feedback Form [External Link – Opens in new window]Our Complaint Timelines:
- We acknowledge receiving your complaint within 1 business day.
- We work to investigate and resolve issues within 21 days.
🏛️ External Regulatory Contacts
You can escalate concerns to external independent authorities at any time:
- NDIS Commission: Phone 1800 035 544 | TTY 133 677 | NRS 1800 035 544 | www.ndiscommission.gov.au
- Privacy Commissioner (OAIC): Phone 1300 363 992 | Email enquiries@oaic.gov.au
📚 Words That Are Hard to Understand
Terms and Conditions: The basic rules for using our website and working together safely.
NDIS Consent: Giving your clear permission for Steady Guide to help coordinate your supports and share required details with agreed providers.
Choice and Control: You are the boss of your life and your NDIS plan. You pick who helps you.
Ethical Firewall: A strict rule keeping support coordination completely separate from external family retail businesses.
APP 13 (Correction Rights): A privacy law giving you the right to fix any wrong information held about you for free within 30 days.
Section 9: Governing Laws and Contact Information
These terms are governed by the laws of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia.
| Key Contact | Jenny Mathers, Principal Support Coordinator |
| Organisation | Steady Guide |
| Location | Toowoomba, Regional Queensland |
| Phone | 0424 766 144 |
| jenny@steadyguide.com.au | |
| Website | steadyguide.com.au |
At Steady Guide, we believe that transparency, mutual respect, and choice make the best support. Thank you for working with us.
Ref: SG-TC-CONSENT-ERG-2026-v1.0 • Effective: 12 September 2026