It was created in December 2017 to "improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.

This agreement is called the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework and aligns the various quality and safeguard functions performed by each state and territory government during the initial rollout of the NDIS and includes additional investigative and regulatory powers.

[6] The commission does not regulate the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which operates the NDIS scheme.

These three roles are supported by the Senior Practitioner, the Complaints Commissioner, Deputy Registrar, and General Counsel.

Tracy Mackey served as the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner from January 2022 to March 2024.