Registered Providers

You acknowledge and accept ultimate responsibility of NDIS provider registration, which includes but is not limited to:

• Fully engage & demonstrate actions needed to start, register, and operate your own disability service.
• Fully engage and demonstrate actions needed to prepare, update, understand, explain, comply with, change, submit, and review all relevant legislation, practice standards, and guidelines, including your services applications, policies, procedures, forms, registered plans, toolbox talks, and so on. 
• Fully engage and demonstrate the actions needed to accurately reflect how you will deliver services and support as per your policies and procedures to all relevant key stakeholders. This also includes supplying true and accurate information and/or feedback regarding, but not limited to, your service, key personnel, documentation, templates, provider obligations, and so on.   
• Keep up to date with all provider compliance obligations.
• Modify templates to reflect accurately but not limited to submitting applications, delivering services, support, daily operations, service & business management. 
• Do not provide false or misleading information (verbal or written) to key stakeholders prior to, during, or after the registration or renewal process.
• Fully engage & demonstrate actions needed to implement and review compliance, provider obligations, legislation, changes, events, and all government or non-government activities.  
• Make final decisions of and/or to
• Understand what you have submitted and can explain the content if required.
• Ensure your applications are specific to your organisation and are not a direct copy of purchased documents.
• Ensure your application/s and supporting documents accurately indicate how your organisation complies with NDIS provider responsibilities.
• Provide all key stakeholders with true and accurate information regarding the personnel identified in your application/s
• Ensure that the policies you provide must accurately reflect how your organisation will deliver NDIS supports.

Nationwide, 30% of participants are self-managed, and 58% are plan-managed, meaning the decision to become a registered provider should be solely based on the type of services you wish to offer. If you want to expand your service to offer complex supports such as Supported Independent Living and Complex Behaviour Support, registration is for you.

As an individual or business, you will be required to register for an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) for Australian Taxation Office (ATO) purposes. However, under the NDIS legislation, an individual or business can then operate as an unregistered or registered NDIS provider. 

An NDIS registered service provider is an individual or company that has completed a full external audit by NDIS Commission-approved auditors to meet NDIS Practice Standards. Registered providers must implement and review all elements of NDIS, NDIS Commission and other legislation, standards, and guidelines. 

NDIS participants who are agency-managed, elf-managed, plan-managed, or a combination of these means the participants' NDIS Plan is managed by themselves, a paid NDIS registered company, or NDIS directly.

Your client will tell you how their plan is managed and by whom, OR this information will be written on their NDIS Plan. If the participant is self-managed, you will send the invoice directly to the NDIS participant or their guardian to claim the money. If plan-managed, you will need to contact the participants chosen as plan managers so they can set up a provider portal or receive further instructions. The plan manager will pay you directly. For agency-managed participants, you will claim through your provider portal, and NDIS will pay you. 

As a Registered Provider, you will pay yourself and your employees under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) rates or under your own approved Enterprise Agreement (EA)

All registered providers deliver services, support or products under a category code number and name. You can offer the following services, support, or products as a registered provider.     

0101     Accommodation / Tenancy Assistance
0102     Assistance to Access and Maintain Employment or Higher Education
0104     High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
0106     Assistance in Coordinating or Managing Life Stages, Transitions And Supports
0107     Daily Personal Activities
0108     Assistance with Travel/Transport Arrangements
0115     Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement
0116     Innovative Community Participation
0117     Development of Daily Living and Life Skills
0120     Household Tasks
0125     Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
0127     Management of Funding for Supports in Participants’ Plans
0129    Specialised Driver Training
0130     Assistance Animals
0131     Specialised Disability Accommodation
0133     Specialised Supported Employment
0136     Group and Centre Based Activities
0110     Specialist Positive Behaviour Support
0114     Community Nursing Care
0118     Early Intervention Supports for Early Childhood
0119     Specialised Hearing Services
0121     Interpreting and Translation
0126     Exercise Physiology and Personal Training
0128     Therapeutic Supports
0132     Specialised Support Coordination
0134     Hearing Services
0135    Customised Prosthetics
0109     Vehicle Modifications
0111     Home Modifications
0103     Assistive Products for Personal Care and Safety
0105     Personal Mobility Equipment
0112     Assistive Equipment for Recreation
0113     Vision Equipment
0122     Hearing Equipment
0123     Assistive Products for Household Tasks
0124     Communication and Information Equipment
 

1. Choose what services, supports, or products you wish to provide and familiarise yourself with each registration number/code attached to that category. (See above)
2. Purchase, review & update your paper-based or electronic policies, procedures, forms, registered & plans, etc
3. Log into the NDIS Commission portal and go to the ‘My Registration’ tab to get started. Complete the online application form and supply/ complete the following information:    
   1. Your organisation’s contact details.
   2. Your corporate structure 
   3. Your outlets/places of operation
   4. Your crucial personnel 
   5. registration groups your organisation will provide. 

Complete a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards relevant to the supports and services your organisation wants to deliver to participants and upload any documents required as evidence. You can save the form and return to it for completion at any time within 60 days.

1. After you submit your online application, you will email an ‘initial scope of audit’ document from the NDIS Commission. This document outlines whether you require a ‘verification’ or ‘certification’ audit and what your organisation needs to supply as evidence to comply with the relevant NDIS Practice Standards. It is your responsibility as the applicant to choose and engage an approved quality auditor to undertake the audit. You can request a quote from more than one auditor to decide. They will use the ‘initial scope of audit’ document to provide a quote for their services. You can also discuss your specific needs and circumstances with auditors to negotiate the best value. To find an approved quality auditor, visit https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/resources/find-auditor-additional-text.
2. Undergo an audit of Stages 1 and 2. After you have selected an approved quality auditor, they will check that the audit scope is accurate and begin the audit process. The process differs for ‘verification’ and ‘certification’ audits – See information below. Auditors will also complete their assessment, taking into consideration your organisation’s size and scale and the scope and complexity of the services being delivered, into consideration. The auditor will complete their written audit report and submit it to the NDIS Commission for consideration and final approval. 
3. The NDIS Commission assess your application. In determining your registration application, the NDIS Commission will consider the outcomes of the audit and conduct a suitability assessment of your organisation and key personnel. For successful applicants: you will receive a provider number, and certificate of registration outlining the services or supports you are registered to provide, the period of registration, and any conditions you must follow to keep your registration. For unsuccessful applicants, you may contact the NDIS Commission to request a review within three months of the decision. If your application is still unsuccessful following the review, you may seek a further review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
4. What is a suitability assessment? -The NDIS Commission assesses the suitability of NDIS providers and their key personnel to deliver NDIS support and services. This includes whether the NDIS provider or their crucial personnel have: 
   1. Previously been a registered NDIS provider. 
   2. Had a banning order in place. 
   3. Any past convictions have 
   4. been insolvent under administration. 
   5. Had any relevant authorities taken adverse findings or enforcement action? 
   6. Been the subject of findings or judgment about fraud, misrepresentation, or dishonesty. 
   7. Have been disqualified from managing corporations. 

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 after your online application and self-assessment to your selected auditor. 

1. Verification = Stage 1 audit 
2. Verification + Certification = Stage 1 + 2 audit

Stage 1 

A “Verification Audit” is a “lighter touch” desk-top audit. This means only your Policies, Procedures, Forms, Registered, 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 of a successful audit completion or not. If not, any non-conformances will be identified, and a timeframe will be issued for re-submission. At this point, depending on your chosen services, your audit will take two directions. These being:

1. 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. 
2. Or you commence Stage 2 audit. 

Stage 2 

A “Certification Audit” 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 of a successful audit completion or not. If not, any non-conformances will be identified, and a timeframe will be issued for re-submission. The auditor will upload a final report to the NDIS Commission portal for NDIS Commission Verification & 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 not is solely determined by the NDIS Commission and at their discretion. 

Registered NDIS providers must undertake an NDIS mid-term audit within 18 months of registration, as shown on the registration certificate, and then every 3 years thereafter. 

The process for renewing Certification Registration follows the same steps as new registration. Please apply before the end of the period of registration specified on your certificate of registration to ensure your registration status does not lapse.

After certification and verification, a new provider will be issued a provider number by the NDIS Commission. The timeframe for receiving your provider number can be up to 12 months or longer. Certification and verification is valid for three years. To ensure certification or verification is renewed, an assessment of the NDIS Practice Standards must be conducted every three years before the expiry of the NDIS Provider’s Registration expires. For organisations that are certified (rather than verified) organisations, a mid-term audit will be required to ensure continuing compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. 

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 is exponential 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 workers. 

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 = to the cost of your time. You must ensure you have the policy, procedure, forms, registers, plans record and more as required. Please note that fees can be charged annually and not customised to your business. In some cases, you are not able to remove logos, etc. We recommend asking questions about the customisation, annual updating, actual ownership, and ongoing costs before entering into any agreements.

We always suggest getting numerous quotes. Total Cost – Up to $20,000

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

Yes definitely. As industry leaders in NDIS navigation, we empower the future leaders with the ability to know. With practical, time-efficient & affordable advice, coaching, mentoring, information, support, resources, training, and tools, our Ndis Consultants & Best Practice Coaches will support and guide you through complete business start-up and into service delivery. We can help you with: 

• Category Code Selection 
• Internal Auditing Preparation/s
• Verification & Certification Registration
• Non-conformities Reifications
• Pre-Audit Walk Through  
• IT, Website & Program development, or refinement
• Business & Strategic Planning development, or refinement
• Industry Knowledge Development, including reading NDIS plans & the NDIS price guide.
• Procedure or Processes Optimisation
• Business, Service & Operational Management
• Legislation & Compliance Management
• HR Management 
• WHS & Risk Management
• Clinical Governance Management
• Incident & Complaints Management
• Expansion & Growth Development 
• 450 + Policies, Procedures, Forms, Registers & Plans Templates or Development 
• Marketing, Advertising & Networking, including training for attracting clients. 
• AND MORE

We are here to help, inspire, prepare, challenge, and safeguard you to register and operate your own service. With 100% flexibility and different options for appointments, training sessions, individual purchases, no lock-in monthly or yearly subscriptions, free resources & NDIS price guide navigator and more, we can help you with DCA Membership. Be fully supported through the complete process - https://disabilitycompliance.com.au/pricing