What counts as an NDIS provider
Under section 10C of the NDIS Act, a person or entity is an NDIS provider if they receive NDIS amounts other than as a participant, or receive funding from the NDIA under Chapter 2 of the Act. The rules can also bring in some people who support people with disability outside the NDIS, or exclude particular classes.
In practice that covers support workers, allied health professionals, nurses, support coordinators, plan managers, SIL and SDA providers, equipment suppliers, cleaners and gardeners, as long as they are paid from a participant's NDIS funding.
Registered and unregistered providers
A registered NDIS provider has been approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for particular registration groups. Registration involves meeting the NDIS Practice Standards, passing an audit, worker screening, and having complaints and incident management systems.
An unregistered provider has not gone through that process but must still follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and the Commission can still act on complaints about them. Many independent support workers and therapists are unregistered.
Which providers you can use
It depends mostly on how your funding is managed:
- Agency managed (NDIA managed): registered providers only
- Plan managed: registered or unregistered providers, with price limits applying
- Self managed: registered or unregistered providers, and price limits do not apply
- For some supports the law requires a registered provider whatever your plan type. Since 1 July 2026 this includes Supported Independent Living and NDIS digital platforms, and supports that involve regulated restrictive practices already needed registration
What is changing for providers
- 1 July 2026: SIL providers and NDIS digital platforms must be registered. Existing unregistered SIL providers had to apply by 1 October 2026 to keep delivering SIL
- 27 August 2026: providers must keep records about payment and receipt of NDIS funds for 7 years
- 27 November 2026: providers must not offer kickbacks or inducements likely to encourage someone to start, keep or increase using their services
- 1 December 2026: claims must be made within 90 days of the support
- 1 July 2027: mandatory registration starts expanding to higher risk supports such as personal care, daily living supports and supports in closed settings, with all providers in scope registered by December 2030
- 1 July 2027: most providers must enrol with the NDIA, giving basic identifying information and a validated bank account for payments. Enrolment is separate from registration, and general retailers will not need to enrol
How to choose a provider
Registration tells you a provider has passed an audit, but it is not the only sign of quality. Look at experience with your disability and age group, availability where you live, how they communicate, and whether you feel comfortable with them. Ask for a written service agreement and check their prices against the NDIS price limits if you are agency or plan managed.
To check a registration, use the NDIS Commission's Find a registered provider search. You can also search the Commission's register of banning orders before you engage someone.
For providers
If you are unregistered and deliver personal care or daily living supports, plan now for the registration expansion from 1 July 2027, as audits take time and money. Whatever your status, get ready for enrolment, 90 day claiming and 7 year record keeping, and review any referral or marketing offers against the kickbacks and inducements ban.