NNDIS Provider Review
A young man in a wheelchair smiling with a support worker beside him

How to change your NDIS provider

You can change NDIS providers at any time. Here's how to check your service agreement, give notice, settle invoices and start well with someone new.

For participantsJack Mitchels
The clean way to switch
  1. 1

    Write down what changed

    Services, quality, cost, or responsiveness — knowing why you're leaving keeps the next choice honest.

  2. 2

    Read your service agreement

    Notice periods and cancellation terms live here. If you never signed one, there's less to untangle.

  3. 3

    Tie off the old provider

    Settle final invoices and confirm what happens to any funding already claimed.

  4. 4

    Choose the new provider

    Verify registration and read reviews across the directory before you book a single session.

  5. 5

    Sign a new service agreement

    Put the price, hours, and cancellation terms in writing before any support is delivered.

Changing providers is a normal decision

Under the NDIS, you choose who delivers your supports, and you can change your mind. Poor communication, services that no longer suit you, prices that feel too high, or simply finding someone better are all good reasons to switch. Plenty of participants do it.

A smooth change comes down to two things: put it in writing, and do it in order. Tell the old provider clearly, settle the money, and check the new provider before they start.

Read the exit terms in a service agreement on the day you sign it, not the day you want to leave.

Start by reading your service agreement

Your service agreement sets out how to leave: how much notice to give, how long it runs, how cancellations work and what happens to any money paid in advance. If you never signed one, you're not stuck. The provider's published terms apply instead.

It also shows you what to get right next time. Long notice periods, tricky cancellation rules or prices that were never written down are all things to fix in your next agreement.

Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.

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  • Before you switch, have you

The switch, step by step

A sequence that keeps you covered at every point

  1. 01Give notice in writing

    Email is fine — date it, state the last day of support, and refer to the notice period in your agreement.

  2. 02Settle the money

    Confirm the final invoice, check it against the price list in the agreement, and get a receipt.

  3. 03Arrange records and handover

    Progress notes, therapy reports, and any equipment belong with you. Ask for copies before you leave.

  4. 04Verify the new provider

    Check the register, read reviews, and confirm they're registered for the support you need under your management type.

  5. 05Sign the new agreement

    Get the price, hours, cancellation terms, and review date in writing before the first session.

Look the new provider up right here

Step four of the switch is verifying the new provider before you book a single session. Search by business name or ABN to see their listing and registration status, and confirm the name matches who you'll actually pay.

A clean result — the right business, the right state, and a group that covers your support — is your green light to sign the new agreement. If the name doesn't match or the group is wrong, keep looking: the next provider is one search away.

Money questions: invoices, claims, and unspent funds

Money is where switching gets confusing. Providers are paid by claiming against your plan, so leaving one doesn't cost you funding. It just changes who claims next. Money already claimed for support you received is spent. Money that hasn't been claimed stays in your plan for the new provider.

The main risk is both providers claiming for the same support while they overlap. Avoid it by agreeing with both providers on the date one stops and the other starts. Your plan manager can see the claims if you're not managing the funds yourself.

Two people signing a new agreement at a desk

Keep the new relationship on paper

The moment you choose a new provider, write the agreement. A good one names the supports, sets prices against the current price limits, describes how cancellation and notice work, and has a review date. It should be easy to understand. If it isn't, ask the provider to explain it in plain words before you sign.

Your questions to ask before hiring guide covers what to ask first. The agreement is where you put the answers in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the NDIA's permission to change providers?

Usually not. For most supports, choosing your provider is your decision, and you can switch any time. The main catch is how your funding is managed — NDIA-managed supports can only be claimed from a registered provider, so make sure the new provider fits before you switch.

Can the old provider charge me to leave?

Only if your service agreement says so, and only for something real, like an agreed exit fee. If you never signed an agreement, or it says nothing about exit fees, you can push back on a surprise charge.

What happens to funding already paid to my old provider?

Money for support you've already received is spent. Funding that hasn't been claimed stays in your plan for your new provider. If you paid ahead for sessions you didn't use, sort that out with the old provider under your agreement.

Do I need a new service agreement with each new provider?

It's strongly recommended. Service agreements are only required by law for SDA, but a written agreement with every new provider protects you if there's ever a dispute about price, hours or cancellations.

How do I avoid a gap in support when I switch?

Overlap where you can: sign with the new provider before you give notice to the old one. Support coordination funding can help you manage the transition, and your plan manager can confirm claims are moving across correctly.

Official sources

This guide is checked against these official pages.

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