Provider Registration Guide

ℹ️ This guide covers the NDIS Commission registration process, Practice Standards, and compliance requirements. Use the tabs to navigate between the decision tool, registration steps, and standards overview.

🤔 Do I Need to Register?

📋 Registration Steps

⭐ Practice Standards

✅ Pre-Application Checklist

Do you need to become a registered NDIS provider?

Answer these questions to understand whether NDIS registration is required for your situation.

What supports do you want to provide?

✅ Registered Provider

✓ Can deliver all NDIS supports
✓ NDIA-managed participants can use your services
✓ Access to all funding categories
✓ More credibility and market access
✗ Must complete NDIS audit
✗ Ongoing compliance burden
✗ Registration takes 3–12 months

⚡ Unregistered Provider

✓ Can start immediately
✓ No audit required
✓ Less administrative burden
✗ Cannot serve NDIA-managed participants
✗ Cannot deliver registration-required supports
✗ Still must comply with NDIS Code of Conduct

NDIS Registration Pathway — Overview

Typical timeline: 3–12 months depending on audit type and organisation readiness. Costs vary from ~$3,000 to $20,000+ for verification audits.

Prepare Your Application

Identify your registration groups. Review NDIS Practice Standards relevant to your supports. Prepare your organisation's policies and procedures.

1–4 weeks

Submit Application via NDIS Commission Portal

Apply at ndiscommission.gov.au/providers. Select your registration groups and answer eligibility questions. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

1–2 hours

Audit Allocation

The Commission allocates an approved audit organisation. Low-risk = Verification Audit. High-risk supports = Certification Audit.

2–6 weeks after submission

Engage an Approved Quality Auditor (AQA)

Contact allocated AQA to schedule and scope your audit. Provide documents: policies, procedures, evidence of practice.

Arrange within 2 weeks

Verification or Certification Audit

Verification: Desktop audit of documents only — for lower-risk supports. Certification: Desktop + on-site visit — for specialist supports.

4–12 weeks

Respond to Audit Findings

Address any non-conformances identified by the auditor. Provide corrective action plans and evidence of improvement.

2–4 weeks

Commission Review & Decision

NDIS Commission reviews audit outcome and makes registration decision. May approve, conditionally approve, or refuse.

4–8 weeks

Registration Granted 🎉

Registration certificate issued. Listed on NDIS Provider Register. Ongoing compliance and renewal audits required every 3 years.

Renewal: every 3 years

⚠️ Audit Types — Which One Applies?

Verification Audit — Desktop only
For lower-risk supports e.g. Support Coordination, community access, personal care under own arrangements

Certification Audit — Desktop + on-site
For specialist supports: SIL, SDA, Behaviour Support, High Intensity Daily Activities, Early Childhood

📞 Key Contacts

NDIS Commission — Registration enquiries: 1800 035 544

NDIS Commission Portal: ndiscommission.gov.au

Approved Quality Auditor list: ndiscommission.gov.au/providers/aqa

NDIS Provider Registration Guide