How to become an NDIS registered provider
The NDIS registration process step by step: choosing registration groups, the audit, costs and timing, and whether registering is worth it for you.
Why registration matters more every year
Registration shows participants, plan managers and the NDIA which supports you're approved to deliver. Only registered providers can work with NDIA-managed participants or deliver certain supports. That list is growing: from 1 July 2026, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and NDIS digital platform providers must be registered too. So for many providers the question isn't whether to register, but when.
The process, end to end
01Choose your provider groups
Pick the registration groups for the supports you'll deliver — each has its own requirements and audit level.
02Set up your Commission account
You work through the NDIS Commission's provider portal, so have business and leadership details ready.
03Build your systems first
Complaints, safeguarding, worker screening, governance, and support delivery policies all need to exist before the audit.
04Submit your application
Complete the online application and self-assessment. The Commission then sends you an Initial Scope of Audit showing the audit type, support classes, and standards that apply.
05Engage an approved auditor
Use the Initial Scope of Audit to request quotes from approved auditors. The auditor completes the assessment and submits its recommendation to the Commission.
06Wait for the decision and keep it current
The Commission assesses suitability and makes the registration decision. Once registered, keep screening, incident, Practice Standard, audit, and renewal obligations current.
Verification or certification: what your groups demand
| Audit level | Verification | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Level of check | Lighter — evidence that your systems exist | Deeper — audited against the NDIS Practice Standards |
| Typical groups | Lower-risk supports (many assistive products and equipment) | Higher-risk supports (personal care, SIL, SDA, behaviour support, nursing) |
| What it involves | Documentary review, sometimes a site visit | Documentary review, site visit, and interviews |
| The point | Confidence you run the basics | Confidence you can protect participants day to day |
What the audit actually checks
Auditors want to see systems you already use, not documents written the week before. A common reason audits go badly is a folder of new policies that staff can't explain. Put your systems in place early and use them. Our registration checklist lists everything to have ready.
Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.
Expect to produce evidence for
Weigh up the costs before you start
Registration takes time and money, and staying registered does too. Before you start, ask yourself three questions. Which registration groups do I want? Can I reach enough participants without registering for now? And can I keep up with the rules after the audit?
If the answer is "not yet", you can still build a good business with self-managed and plan-managed participants while you get your systems ready. When you do register, remember that being registered and being found are two different jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be registered to provide NDIS services at all?
Not for everything. You can deliver many supports to self-managed and plan-managed participants without registering. But you must be registered to work with NDIA-managed participants and to deliver certain supports, including SIL and digital platform services from 1 July 2026.
What's the difference between verification and certification?
Verification is a lighter check for lower-risk providers; certification is a deeper audit against the NDIS Practice Standards for higher-risk supports. Your registration groups determine which level applies, and your auditor will tell you what that means in practice.
How long does it take to become registered?
Plan for 3 to 6 months from starting your paperwork to appearing on the register — longer if the first audit doesn't land. Providers who prepare their policies and evidence before applying get through quicker and cheaper.
Is it worth it for a small provider?
It's a genuine investment in audit costs, systems, and staff time, so weigh it against the clients and supports registration will unlock. The NDIS Commission does not charge a registration fee, but approved auditors set their own fees.
Does being registered guarantee clients?
No. Registration lets you work with more participants, but they still need to find you. Our guide on how providers get found in directories covers that part.
Official sources
This guide is checked against these official pages.
- About NDIS provider registrationWhat registration covers — provider groups, practice standards, and the Code of Conduct.
- Apply for provider registrationThe official application pathway for new providers.
- NDIS provider quality audit processOfficial audit types, sequence, and cost guidance, including that the Commission does not charge a registration fee.
- Provider RegisterSearch any provider's current registration by name or ABN.
Read next
Related guides
Guides that cover the next step.
NDIS registration checklist: what to have before you apply
What to have in place before you apply for NDIS registration: registration groups, policies, worker screening, evidence and an approved auditor.
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NDIS service agreement template and checklist
What every NDIS service agreement should include, how to set prices that stay within the rules, and a template outline you can adapt.
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How NDIS providers get found in online directories
What helps a provider show up higher in NDIS directories: a complete listing, recent reviews, quick replies and, if you want it, a featured spot.
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How to get more NDIS referrals as a provider
Where NDIS referrals come from, how to make it easy for coordinators and plan managers to refer you, and how participants can find you directly.
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