Registration & Renewal

What Is an NDIS-Registered Provider?

An NDIS-registered service provider is an individual or organisation that has successfully passed an external audit conducted by auditors approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, demonstrating compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. Registered providers are required to implement and continually review their policies, systems and practices to meet NDIS, Commission and other relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.

Should I Get NDIS Registered?

Nationwide, 30% of participants are self-managed, and 58% are plan-managed, meaning the decision to become a registered provider should be based solely on the type of services you wish to offer. If you want to expand your services to offer complex supports such as SIL, SDA, platform providers, plan management, specialised behaviour support and NDIA-managed funds, then NDIS registration is 120% for you. From 2026–2027, support coordination and all unregistered providers across Australia are under consideration for mandatory registration.

What type of NDIS participants can I support as a Registered Provider?
NDIS participants who are agency-managed, self-managed, plan-managed, or a combination of these.

If I Get Registered, Will I Get Participants Referred from NDIS?

No. There is no magical list of participants; you will not get referrals from the NDIS, NDIS planners or LACs. Your traditional and non-traditional forms of marketing and advertising will still need to attract participants.

What is the Difference Between a “Certification” and “Verification” Audit?
It will depend on what services, supports or products you wish to provide and have nominated to provide during your online portal application. A good consultant or your selected auditor will assist you in determining the type of verification and/or certification audit you will be required to complete. Please ensure that you supply your “Scope of Audit” email attachment to your selected auditor after completing your online application and self-assessment.

• Verification Modules = Stage 1 audit 
• Verification + Certification +/- Supplementary Modules = Stage 1 + 2 audit
   

Stage 1

A “Verification Audit” is a “lighter-touch” desktop audit. This means only your policies, procedures, forms, registers, plans, etc., along with any evidence documents, are sent to your selected auditor for review and audit.

A Stage 1 Auditor Outcome Report will be sent to you within weeks of the audit. The auditor’s report will notify you whether the audit was completed successfully. If not, any non-conformances will be identified, and a timeframe will be issued for resubmission.

At this point, depending on your chosen services, your audit will take one of two directions:

• The auditor will upload a final report to the NDIS Commission portal for NDIS Commission verification-only registration approval. The NDIS Commission will issue you a provider number, and you can commence your service/s.
• Alternatively, you will commence a Stage 2 audit.

Stage 2

A “Certification Audit ± Supplementary Modules” is a more detailed audit requiring site visits, performance assessments through interviews with carers, participants and their families, and document and file reviews. At the Stage 2 audit, your auditor will visit the NDIS provider’s head office and a sample of sites where services are delivered. The auditor will assess compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards through document reviews, service delivery observation, and interviews with employees and participants. A Stage 2 Auditor Outcome Report will be issued to you within weeks. The auditor’s report will notify you whether the audit was completed successfully. If not, any non-conformances will be identified, and a timeframe will be issued for resubmission. The auditor will upload a final report to the NDIS Commission portal for NDIS Commission verification and certification registration approval. The NDIS Commission will issue you a provider number, and you can commence your service/s. The role of an auditor is to provide recommendations to the NDIS Commission. Your successful registration or otherwise is determined solely by the NDIS Commission, at its discretion.

How Much Does It Cost to Become Registered?

To become an NDIS-registered provider, the provider must complete and lodge an application with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This part is free. The cost of your NDIS audit varies considerably according to the type of services you offer. A verification audit is for providers delivering “low-risk” or less complex services, such as home maintenance and support work. A certification audit applies to “higher-risk”, more complex services and supports—for example, behaviour support, early intervention, and group and centre-based activities. If you deliver a range of services and just one of them falls into a high-risk registration group, you will need to undergo a certification audit. This more complex audit includes onsite visits, participant interviews, and auditor costs, including meals, accommodation, etc. The preparation and documentation required to pass an NDIS audit (for registration or renewal) should not be underestimated. This brings with it a monetary cost equal to the cost of your time. You must ensure you have the policies, procedures, forms, registers, plans, records and more as required. Please note that fees can be charged annually and may not be customised to your business. In some cases, you may not be able to remove logos, etc. We recommend asking questions about customisation, annual updating, actual ownership and ongoing costs before entering into any agreements. We always suggest getting numerous quotes.

• Templates cost: Up to $10,000+
• External auditor costs: Up to $20,000+

What is the Timeline to Become Registered?

• Preparation (1–26 weeks): Gather your ABN, insurances, policies, position descriptions, police and worker checks, training records and service evidence. Map documents to the NDIS Practice Standards and prepare a capability statement.
• Online application submission (1 day–26 weeks): Completing the My Provider Portal form itself can take a few hours; allow extra time to upload and label evidence.
• Administrative check by the NDIS Commission (1–26 weeks): The Commission checks completeness and may request additional documents.
• Suitability assessment and evidence review (2–26 weeks): This includes checks of key personnel, governance and documentation. The Commission may ask questions or request clarifications.
• Audit/verification (2–12 weeks, depending on type and auditor availability): A verification audit (for lower-risk registration groups) is shorter; full certification audits (multiple modules, specialist supports) take longer and require more sampling and site visits. Auditor scheduling is often the biggest cause of delay.
• Corrective actions and follow-up (2–8 weeks): If non-conformances are raised, you’ll need to submit corrective action evidence and may need to be reassessed.
• Final decision and listing (1–78 weeks): Once satisfied, the Commission issues registration, sets a start date, and lists you as a provider.

Should My Templates Be Customised?

• Statement from the NDIS Commission:
• “Consultants and advice services that provide the same or very similar information and advice to multiple providers may indicate a lack of understanding on behalf of the organisation and its key personnel of the relevant NDIS Practice Standards and associated documents. Providing the same or similar information in your application may subvert the quality audit process and suitability assessment functions of the NDIS Commission. This increases the risk that your application includes false or misleading information, and your application may be refused. The NDIS Commission can also impose an additional condition to your registration that requires you to do a new certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2), including submitting a new self-assessment against applicable NDIS Practice Standards. If the condition is imposed, your auditor will provide you with the template Word document to submit your responses. Providing false or misleading information in an application for registration is a contravention of section 73D of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act), punishable by civil penalty. It is a criminal offence under section 137.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code). Existing registered NDIS providers may also have their registration suspended or revoked if they provide false or misleading information in an application for registration.”
• Yes! You must review and customise your own templates. What you are doing on the ground in your service every day is

Do I Need To Complete Internal Audits?

Yes. An internal audit is an annually required, NOT OPTIONAL systematic review of your own organisation’s policies, procedures, processes and records to check they’re working as intended, compliant with requirements, and effective at managing risk.