The short answer
SIRS is the aged care scheme, administered by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. NDIS reportable incidents are a separate scheme, administered by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They are not the same list with a different label: the categories differ, the timeframes differ, and each has its own reporting portal.
The practical rule for a dual-registered provider is to work out which service the incident is connected to first. An incident involving a person receiving aged care is assessed under SIRS. An incident involving a person receiving NDIS supports is assessed under the NDIS rules. Get that first step right and the correct clock and portal follow from it.
Side by side
| SIRS (aged care) | NDIS reportable incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
| Who and what it covers | People receiving residential aged care and in-home or community aged care, including Support at Home participants | People with disability receiving supports or services from a registered NDIS provider |
| What triggers a report | One of the eight SIRS reportable incident categories, including alleged and suspected incidents | One of the NDIS reportable incident types, including allegations, occurring in connection with the provision of NDIS supports |
| Clock for the most serious incidents | Priority 1: within 24 hours of the provider becoming aware | Within 24 hours for most reportable incidents, including those involving death or serious injury |
| Longer initial-notification clock | Priority 2: within 30 calendar days of awareness (calendar days, not business days) | Within 5 business days for the unauthorised use of a restrictive practice |
| Follow-up reporting | Ongoing incident management and follow-up under Standard 2 (The Organisation); further information provided if the Commission requests it | A more detailed report generally within 5 business days, and a possible final report within 60 days if the Commission requests one |
| Where you lodge it | The ACQSC reporting portal | The NDIS Commission reporting portal (a separate system) |
This table summarises publicly available guidance from each regulator. The specific timeframes, categories and follow-up reporting rules for each scheme change over time. Always verify the current requirements against current ACQSC and NDIS Commission guidance before you act.
The four differences that catch people out
Different regulator
Aged care incidents go to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. NDIS incidents go to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They are two separate bodies with two separate remits.
Different category list
SIRS has its own eight categories. The NDIS scheme has its own list of reportable incident types. They overlap in spirit, but you cannot assume a category maps one to one across the two schemes.
Different clocks
SIRS runs on 24 hours or 30 calendar days. The NDIS scheme runs on 24 hours for most reportable incidents, with 5 business days applying to the unauthorised use of a restrictive practice. Calendar days and business days are not interchangeable, and mixing them up is a common way to miss a deadline.
Different portal
Each regulator has its own reporting system. Lodging in the wrong portal is not lodging the report. Know which system each scheme uses before an incident happens, not during the clock.
Primary source
This page is based on guidance published by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) under the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Rules 2025, in force from 1 November 2025.
NDIS source
The NDIS side of this comparison is based on guidance published by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on reportable incidents. Verify current requirements directly.