NDSS CRM Manual / Operations / Chapter 14: Client Portal
V3.8 · 2024/2025
Chapter 14

Client Portal

A dedicated self-service portal for NDIS participants providing secure access to their schedule, goals, support team, documents, NDIS plan information, invoices, and direct communication with their service provider.

In This Chapter

14.1 Portal Overview 14.2 Portal Dashboard 14.3 My Profile 14.4 My Schedule 14.5 My Goals 14.6 Progress Notes 14.7 My Team 14.8 Documents 14.9 NDIS Plan 14.10 Invoices 14.11 Report a Concern 14.12 Accessibility Features

14.1 Portal Overview

The NDSS CRM Client Portal is a separate, participant-facing web application that provides NDIS participants (and their authorised representatives, such as family members, guardians, or plan nominees) with secure, self-service access to their service information. The portal operates on a completely different layout and interface from the administrative platform, designed with simplicity, clarity, and accessibility as guiding principles.

Key Design Principles

  • Simplified Navigation - Clean, uncluttered interface with large buttons and clear labels. Navigation uses a horizontal top menu rather than the admin sidebar layout.
  • Participant-Centric Language - All labels, headings, and instructions use plain, person-first language. Technical jargon is avoided throughout.
  • WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance - The portal meets or exceeds Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA standards, ensuring usability for people with diverse abilities.
  • Responsive Design - Fully functional on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices with touch-friendly interface elements.
  • Data Privacy - Participants can only view their own information. No access to other participants' data, staff internal notes, or administrative functions.

Portal Access & Authentication

The Client Portal is accessed via a dedicated URL (e.g., portal.newdawnss.com.au) separate from the administrative application. Access is provisioned as follows:

  1. An administrator enables portal access for a client from the client's profile in the admin system under Client → [Client Name] → Portal Access.
  2. The system generates a unique invitation email containing a secure link to set up the portal account.
  3. The participant (or their representative) clicks the link, sets a password, and completes initial profile verification.
  4. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is available and recommended but not mandatory for portal users.
  5. Authorised representatives can be granted separate login credentials linked to the participant's account with configurable permission levels.

Representative Access Levels

Access Level View Info Manage Schedule Send Messages Upload Docs Report Concerns View Invoices
Participant (Full)
Guardian / Nominee
Family Member - - -
Support Coordinator (External) - - -

14.2 Portal Dashboard

Upon logging in, participants are presented with a personalised dashboard that provides an at-a-glance summary of their key information and quick navigation to the most commonly used features. The dashboard is designed to be welcoming and easy to scan, with large visual cards and minimal text.

Wireframe - Client Portal Dashboard
N
NDSS CRM Portal
Home My Schedule My Goals My Team Documents Messages
JT
Jordan Taylor ▾
Welcome back, Jordan!
Here's what's happening with your support services today.
Quick Stats
3
Upcoming Appointments
5
Active Goals
2
Unread Messages
87%
NDIS Plan Utilised
Quick Access
📅
My Schedule
View upcoming appointments & shifts
🎯
My Goals
Track your progress & milestones
👥
My Team
Your support workers & coordinators
📄
My Documents
Plans, reports & personal files
Upcoming Appointments
SM
Community Access with Sarah M.
Tomorrow · 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Confirmed
DK
Personal Care with David K.
Wed 9 Apr · 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Confirmed

14.3 My Profile

The My Profile section allows participants to view and update their personal information. Certain fields are editable by the participant directly (such as phone number and email), while others require a request to the service provider to update (such as NDIS number and date of birth) to maintain data integrity.

Profile Information Sections

Section Fields Editable by Participant
Personal Details Full Name, Preferred Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Pronoun Preferences, Profile Photo Preferred Name, Pronoun Preferences, Photo only. Others require admin update request.
Contact Information Phone (Home, Mobile), Email Address, Residential Address, Postal Address Yes - changes are logged and the admin team is notified.
Emergency Contacts Contact Name, Relationship, Phone Number(s), Email. Supports multiple emergency contacts. Yes
NDIS Details NDIS Number, Plan Start Date, Plan End Date, Plan Management Type, Support Coordinator No - view only. Contact provider to update.
Communication Preferences Preferred Contact Method, Communication Needs (e.g., Easy Read, Auslan, Interpreter), Notification Settings Yes
Cultural & Language Primary Language, Cultural Background, Interpreter Required, Specific Cultural Needs Yes
Privacy Note: All changes to profile information are recorded in an audit trail. The participant can view a log of their own profile changes under My Profile → Activity Log. Participants can also request a full export of their personal data at any time, in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

14.4 My Schedule

The My Schedule section provides participants with a clear, easy-to-read view of their upcoming and past support appointments. The schedule is presented in both a calendar view and a list view, allowing participants to choose their preferred format.

Wireframe - My Schedule (Calendar View)
My Schedule
List View Calendar View
← Mar 2024 2024/2025 May 2024 →
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
30
31
1
2
3
4
Today
5
Community Access
6
7
Personal Care
8
9
Community Access
10
11
12
Community Access Personal Care Therapy Cancelled

Appointment Details

Clicking on any scheduled appointment reveals the full details:

  • Service Type: The type of support being delivered (e.g., Community Access, Personal Care, Domestic Assistance).
  • Date & Time: Start time, end time, and total duration.
  • Support Worker: Name and photo of the assigned support worker, with an option to send a message.
  • Location: The location where the service will be delivered (home address, community venue, etc.).
  • Notes: Any special instructions or notes for the appointment.
  • Status: Confirmed, Pending, or Cancelled.

Cancellation Requests

Participants can request cancellation of upcoming appointments directly from the portal. The cancellation request workflow:

  1. Click the appointment, then click Request Cancellation.
  2. Select a cancellation reason from the dropdown (e.g., Unwell, Personal Commitment, Changed Plans, Other).
  3. Add optional notes explaining the cancellation.
  4. Submit the request. The coordinator receives an immediate notification.
  5. The appointment status changes to Cancellation Requested (pending coordinator action).
  6. The coordinator approves or contacts the participant to discuss alternatives.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice may incur charges in accordance with NDIS short-notice cancellation rules. The portal displays the applicable cancellation policy when a participant initiates a cancellation request within the notice period.

14.5 My Goals

The My Goals section allows participants to view and track the progress of the goals outlined in their NDIS plan and any additional goals set in collaboration with their support team. Each goal displays a visual progress indicator, making it easy for participants to see how they are progressing.

Wireframe - My Goals View
My Goals
All (5) In Progress (3) Achieved (2)
Increase community participation
Category: Social & Community · Target: 30 Jun 2024

Attend at least 2 community activities per week, building social connections and developing independence in accessing local amenities and services.

In Progress
Progress 65%
Your note: "Really enjoyed the art class this week! Want to try the cooking group next month."
Travel independently to local shops
Category: Independence · Achieved: 15 Feb 2024
Achieved
Develop daily living skills - meal preparation
Category: Daily Living · Target: 31 Dec 2024
In Progress
Progress 40%

Goal Categories

Social & Community
Independence
Daily Living
Health & Wellbeing
Education & Employment

Adding Personal Notes to Goals

Participants can add personal notes and reflections to any of their goals. These notes are visible to the support team and serve as valuable feedback that informs service planning and progress note documentation. To add a note:

  1. Click on a goal card to expand the full goal details.
  2. Scroll to the My Notes section at the bottom of the goal detail panel.
  3. Type your note in the text area and click Add Note.
  4. Notes are timestamped and displayed in reverse chronological order.

14.6 Progress Notes

The Progress Notes section provides participants with read-only access to the support notes written by their support workers after each shift or appointment. This transparency supports the NDIS principle of participant choice and control by keeping participants informed about the services they receive and the observations of their support team.

Viewing Progress Notes

Progress notes are displayed in a chronological list format. Each entry shows:

  • Date & Time: When the support session occurred.
  • Support Worker: Name of the worker who wrote the note.
  • Service Type: The type of support delivered during the session.
  • Summary: A narrative description of the session, activities undertaken, and any observations.
  • Goals Addressed: Which goals were worked on during the session.
  • Mood & Wellbeing: General wellbeing indicators recorded by the support worker.

Filtering Progress Notes

Participants can filter their progress notes using the following criteria:

Date RangeFilter by specific period
Service TypeCommunity, Personal Care, etc.
Support WorkerFilter by specific worker
Goal LinkedNotes related to a goal
Note: Only progress notes that have been marked as Client Visible by the support worker appear in the portal. Internal notes, clinical observations, or confidential staff notes that are marked as Internal Only are not visible to participants. This is controlled at the note level by the staff member when creating the progress note.

14.7 My Team

The My Team section shows participants their assigned support team including support workers, coordinators, and any other staff members involved in their care. This helps participants feel connected to their team and provides easy access to contact information.

Wireframe - My Team View
My Support Team
My Coordinator
LR
Lisa Rodriguez
Support Coordinator
Phone: 0412 345 678 · Email: lisa.r@newdawnss.com.au
Send Message View Profile
My Support Workers
SM
Sarah Mitchell
Support Worker
Community Access
Mon, Wed, Fri
Message
DK
David Kim
Support Worker
Personal Care
Tue, Thu
Message
AT
Anna Thompson
Support Worker
Domestic Assistance
Saturday
Message

Team Member Information

Each team member's profile card displays the following information:

  • Name & Photo: The staff member's name and profile photo (or initials if no photo is available).
  • Role: Their role in the participant's support team (Support Worker, Coordinator, Team Leader, Allied Health Professional, etc.).
  • Services: The types of support they provide to the participant.
  • Regular Schedule: Their regular days/times working with the participant.
  • Contact Options: A Send Message button that opens a direct message in the portal messaging system. Direct phone numbers and emails are shown for coordinators only.

14.8 Documents

The Documents section provides a secure file storage area where participants can access documents shared by their service provider and upload their own documents. All documents are organised into categories for easy navigation.

Document Categories

Category Description Examples
NDIS Plans Current and historical NDIS plan documents, plan review reports, and plan amendments. NDIS Plan 2025-2024.pdf, Plan Review Report.pdf
Medical Medical reports, assessments, specialist referrals, and health management plans. GP Report.pdf, OT Assessment.pdf, Health Management Plan.pdf
Personal Identification documents, consent forms, and personal records. Photo ID.jpg, Service Agreement.pdf, Consent Form.pdf
Legal Guardianship orders, power of attorney, administration orders, and legal correspondence. Guardianship Order.pdf, Power of Attorney.pdf
Service Reports Progress reports, service summaries, and outcome reports generated by the provider. Quarterly Progress Report.pdf, Annual Review.pdf

Uploading Documents

Participants can upload documents directly to their profile through the portal. The upload process:

  1. Click Upload Document from the Documents page.
  2. Select the document category from the dropdown.
  3. Enter a document name/description.
  4. Drag and drop or browse to select the file. Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX (maximum 25MB).
  5. Click Upload. The document is uploaded and the service provider is notified.

14.9 NDIS Plan

The NDIS Plan section provides participants with a clear summary of their current NDIS plan, including funding categories, budget allocations, utilisation to date, and key plan dates. This information is synchronised from the administrative system and presented in a participant-friendly format.

Plan Summary Information

FieldDescription
NDIS NumberThe participant's unique NDIS identifier.
Plan Start DateDate the current plan commenced.
Plan End DateDate the current plan expires. An alert displays when the plan is within 90 days of expiry.
Plan DurationTotal length of the plan period with a visual timeline showing current position.
Plan Management TypeSelf-Managed, Plan-Managed, or NDIA-Managed.
Plan ManagerName and contact details of the plan manager (if plan-managed).
Support CoordinatorName and contact details of the assigned support coordinator.

Funding Summary

The funding summary shows a breakdown of the participant's plan budget by support category, including total allocation, amount used, amount remaining, and a visual utilisation bar. Categories displayed include:

  • Core Supports - Assistance with Daily Life
  • Core Supports - Social & Community Participation
  • Core Supports - Transport
  • Capacity Building - Support Coordination
  • Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living
  • Capital Supports - Assistive Technology

14.10 Invoices

The Invoices section provides participants with visibility into the invoices generated for their support services. Participants can view invoice details, check payment status, and download invoice documents as PDF files for their records or for submission to plan managers.

Invoice List

Invoices are displayed in a table format showing:

Column Description
Invoice NumberUnique invoice reference (e.g., INV-2024-0412).
Date IssuedDate the invoice was generated.
Service PeriodThe date range the invoice covers (e.g., 01 Mar 2024 – 31 Mar 2024).
AmountTotal invoice amount (GST inclusive where applicable).
Payment StatusPaid, Pending, Overdue, or Partially Paid.
ActionsView Details button to see line-item breakdown; Download PDF button to save a copy.

Invoice Detail View

Clicking on an invoice reveals the full line-item breakdown including:

  • Date of each service delivered within the invoice period.
  • NDIS support item number and description for each line.
  • Hours/quantity delivered.
  • Rate per unit.
  • Line total.
  • NDIS funding category the charge falls under.
  • Invoice total with any applicable adjustments or credits.

14.11 Report a Concern

The Report a Concern feature provides participants with a safe, accessible, and confidential way to submit feedback, concerns, or complaints about the services they receive. This feature is a critical component of the organisation's complaints management process and aligns with NDIS Practice Standard requirements for participant safeguarding.

Concern Submission Form

The concern form collects the following information from the participant:

FieldDescriptionRequired
Concern TypeDropdown: General Feedback, Service Quality, Staff Conduct, Safety Concern, Billing Query, Scheduling Issue, OtherYes
SubjectBrief summary of the concern.Yes
DescriptionDetailed description of the concern, including dates, names, and circumstances.Yes
Date of IncidentWhen the incident or concern occurred.Optional
Preferred ResolutionWhat outcome the participant would like to see.Optional
AttachmentsUpload supporting documents or photos (PDF, JPG, PNG, up to 10MB each).Optional
Contact PreferenceHow the participant would like to be contacted about the concern (Phone, Email, Portal Message, No Contact Needed).Yes

Tracking Submitted Concerns

After submission, participants can track the status of their concerns from the My Concerns section. Each submitted concern displays:

  • Reference Number: A unique tracking number for the concern (e.g., CON-2024-0087).
  • Date Submitted: When the concern was lodged.
  • Status: Submitted, Under Review, In Progress, Resolved, or Closed.
  • Updates: Any responses or updates from the provider regarding the investigation or resolution.
  • Resolution Summary: Once resolved, a summary of the actions taken and the outcome achieved.
External Complaint Options: The portal also displays contact information for external complaint bodies, including the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (phone: 1800 035 544) and the relevant state/territory ombudsman, ensuring participants are aware of their right to escalate concerns externally at any time.

14.12 Accessibility Features

The NDSS CRM Client Portal is built with accessibility at its core, recognising that NDIS participants have diverse abilities and may use a wide range of assistive technologies. The following accessibility features are implemented throughout the portal:

Screen Reader Support

  • All interactive elements have descriptive ARIA labels and roles for screen reader compatibility.
  • Page structure uses semantic HTML5 elements (nav, main, aside, article, section) for logical content hierarchy.
  • All images and icons include meaningful alt text descriptions.
  • Form fields have associated labels that are programmatically linked.
  • Dynamic content updates (e.g., notifications, form validation) are announced via ARIA live regions.
  • Skip-to-content links allow keyboard users to bypass repeated navigation elements.

High Contrast Mode

  • A high-contrast toggle is available in the top navigation bar, accessible via the accessibility menu icon.
  • When enabled, all text meets a minimum contrast ratio of 7:1 against backgrounds (WCAG AAA level).
  • Focus indicators are enhanced with high-visibility outlines (3px solid with contrasting colour).
  • The user's contrast preference is stored and persisted across sessions.

Font Size Adjustment

  • Three font size options are available: Standard (16px base), Large (20px base), and Extra Large (24px base).
  • Font size controls are located in the accessibility menu and are represented by clear A / A+ / A++ buttons.
  • All page layouts are designed to reflow correctly at larger font sizes without horizontal scrolling.
  • The user's font size preference is stored and persisted across sessions.

Additional Accessibility Features

FeatureDescription
Keyboard NavigationAll portal functions are fully operable using keyboard-only navigation. Tab order follows a logical sequence.
Touch TargetsAll interactive elements have minimum touch target sizes of 44x44 pixels for mobile accessibility.
Reduced MotionAnimations and transitions are minimised or disabled when the user has enabled the "prefers-reduced-motion" setting in their browser/OS.
Error IdentificationForm errors are identified in text (not colour alone), with clear descriptions and suggestions for correction.
Session Timeout WarningUsers receive a warning 2 minutes before session timeout with an option to extend, preventing unexpected logouts.
Language SupportThe portal supports browser-based translation and is compatible with third-party translation browser extensions.
Chapter 13: Learning & Development Chapter 15: Messaging & Communication