How to become an NDIS provider: a step by step guide

Key takeaway: You do not have to be a big organisation to support NDIS participants. Starting out is more achievable than most people think, and you can begin small.

Who can become a provider

The NDIS is not just made up of large companies. Sole traders, small businesses and organisations of every size all deliver support, and there is room for all of them. If you are a support worker, a therapist, an allied health professional, a cleaner, a gardener, a plan manager or someone who drives people to appointments, there is likely a place for you. Participants need everyday, practical help from real people, and that is exactly what most providers offer. You do not need to run a company or have a team behind you to get started. Many providers begin as one person offering one service they already know how to do well.

Registered or unregistered to start

One of the first things people worry about is registration, and the good news is that you do not have to register to begin. You can start out as an unregistered provider and work with participants who are plan managed or self managed, and together those two groups make up the majority of participants. That means the door is open from day one without going through a formal audit. Registration is a bigger process with more documentation, cost and ongoing reporting, and it makes sense for some providers and not others. The point is that it can come later, once you have found your feet and know whether it is worth it for you. Plenty of experienced providers stay unregistered for years by choice.

The checks and insurance you need

Working with people means taking safety seriously, and there are a few checks that give participants confidence in you. The main one is the NDIS Worker Screening Check, which is a national background check for people working in the sector. Depending on your work you may also need a police check and a Working with Children Check, particularly if you support younger participants. On top of that you will want appropriate insurance, usually public liability and, if you deliver a professional service, professional indemnity cover. None of this is complicated to arrange, and each one is a normal part of running any service that involves working closely with people. Getting these sorted early makes you easier to trust and easier to choose.

Setting up the basics

The practical setup is simpler than most people expect. You will need an Australian Business Number, which is free and quick to apply for online. You will need to decide on a structure, and many people start as a sole trader because it is the easiest way to begin, then move to a company later if the work grows. It helps to be clear about your rates from the start, whether you follow the NDIS price guide or set your own within it, so participants know what to expect and you are not renegotiating every time. A simple invoice template and a way to keep records of your hours and payments will save you a lot of stress down the track. You do not need fancy systems to look professional.

Getting your first clients

This is the part that worries most new providers, and it is worth being honest about. Your first few clients often come from word of mouth, from people who already know you or know someone you have helped. Support coordinators and local area coordinators are another important source, because part of their job is connecting participants with providers who have availability. It pays to introduce yourself to the coordinators in your area and let them know what you do and where you work. Beyond that, being findable online matters more every year, because participants and their families increasingly search for support the same way they search for anything else. If they cannot find you, they cannot choose you.

Being findable from day one

You do not need a big marketing budget to be found, but you do need to show up in the places people actually look. A clear profile that says who you are, what you offer, the areas you cover and the checks you hold goes a long way, because it answers the questions a participant has before they even reach out. That is exactly what a listing on Supportd is for. You can list your service, appear when participants search your suburb, and show the verifications you hold, all for a flat monthly fee with no commission and no lead fees. It is a straightforward way to be visible from your first day, whether you are registered or not, and it grows with you as you take on more work.

Get found by participants searching your area

List your service on Supportd and appear when participants search your suburb. No commission, no lead fees, flat monthly.

Get more like this.

Plain English NDIS articles in your inbox every few weeks. Written by humans, read by humans.

Free. We never share your email. Unsubscribe with one click.