Registered vs unregistered NDIS providers explained

Whether you can use an unregistered provider depends on how your funding is managed. NDIA-managed funding can only pay registered providers. If you use a plan manager, they can pay registered or unregistered providers. If you self-manage, it's your choice. Not sure how your plan is managed? Our guide to the three ways to manage funding explains it.

That's the basic rule. There are a few exceptions, which the rest of this guide covers.

When the NDIA manages your funding, you can only choose registered providers, and the NDIA pays them directly. It's the simplest option because you never handle money, but it limits you to registered providers.

Some great small local providers aren't registered, and you can't use them with NDIA-managed funding. If there's one you want to use, ask about changing that part of your plan to plan-managed or self-managed.

With plan management, your plan manager pays your invoices from your plan, and they can pay registered or unregistered providers. That gives you a lot more choice, while someone else does the paperwork.

Some supports always need a registered provider: SDA, plan management, specialist behaviour support and regulated restrictive practices. From 1 July 2026 that also includes Supported Independent Living (SIL) and NDIS digital platform providers. For everyday supports like personal care, therapy, community access and cleaning, a plan manager can pay either.

Self-managing gives you the most choice and the most responsibility. You can pay registered or unregistered providers, agree on prices above or below the price limits, and even employ workers directly. It also means the checks that registration normally covers are up to you.

If you self-manage, keep records of everything, only spend on supports in your plan, and check anyone you employ yourself. That's where worker screening and references do their work.