How to Become a Registered NDIS Provider in 2026
To become a registered NDIS provider, you must have an ABN, apply through the NDIS Commission Portal, complete a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards, pass a quality audit (verification or certification depending on your services), and receive approval from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The process can take 3 to 12 months and costs $3,000 to $15,000 for most providers,* with audits being the largest expense. There is no fee to submit the application itself.
The 6-Step Registration Process
Becoming a registered NDIS provider follows a structured process set by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Each step must be completed in order, and the entire process typically takes 3 to 12 months depending on your preparation and audit complexity.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before applying, confirm you meet the basic requirements. You must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be able to demonstrate your ability to deliver the services you're applying for. All key personnel must be suitable and have a valid NDIS Worker Screening clearance before you submit your application.
Step 2: Choose Your Registration Groups
Registration groups determine which services you can provide and which audit type you need. Select only the groups you intend to actively deliver, as more groups mean higher audit costs and complexity.
If your application includes any certification-level group, you must complete a full certification audit regardless of other services offered.
You can refer to the entire list of registration groups and their support classes via the NDIS Commission’s website: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/provider-registration/apply-registration/registration-groups-or-classes-support
Step 3: Prepare Your Documentation
Before starting the application, develop policies, procedures and systems that meet the requirements of the NDIS Practice Standards. This preparation phase is typically the most time-consuming, taking 4 to 12 weeks depending on your existing systems.
You will need:
- Governance and operational policies aligned to NDIS Practice Standards
- Risk management framework and incident reporting procedures
- Complaints management system
- Staff training records and qualification evidence
- NDIS Worker Screening clearances for all key personnel
- Insurance certificates (public liability, professional indemnity and workers compensation)
- Evidence of qualifications relevant to your registration groups
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Log into the NDIS Commission Applications Portal using your myID and RAM.
If you don't have myID set up refer to the following information: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/how-set-myid
Refer to the following instructions to link your business in RAM:
The application requires you to select your registration groups, complete a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards, and provide evidence to support your responses.
You must complete your application within 60 days of starting it. If you exceed this timeframe, your application will be deleted and you must start again. There is no fee charged by the NDIS Commission to submit your application.
Step 5: Complete Your Audit
After submitting your application, the Commission will email you an Initial Scope of Audit document. This document specifies whether you need a verification or certification audit based on your chosen registration groups. You must engage an Approved Quality Auditor from the Commission's list to complete your audit. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/provider-registration/apply-registration/find-auditor
Verification audits are desktop reviews of your documentation. They typically cost $900 to $1,800 and take 2 to 4 weeks to complete. The auditor reviews your policies, qualifications and systems without a site visit.
Certification audits involve two stages. Stage 1 is a desktop review of documentation. Stage 2 includes site visits and interviews with staff and participants. Certification audits typically cost $3,000 to $12,000 depending on your organisation's size, number of sites and registration groups. The process takes 4 to 12 weeks.
Get quotes from multiple auditors before choosing. Confirm whether the quote includes travel, both audit stages and report turnaround time.
Step 6: Receive Your Decision
The NDIS Commission reviews the auditor's recommendation and assesses your suitability as a provider. Processing times vary based on organisation size and service complexity. Current median processing times are approximately 112 days for verification audits and 308 days for certification audits for new providers.
If approved, you receive a Certificate of Registration specifying your registered services, registration period (typically 3 years) and any conditions. Your details are published on the NDIS Provider Register.
Total Cost Breakdown
The total cost to become a registered NDIS provider ranges from $3,000 for sole traders offering low-risk services to $15,000 or more for organisations delivering complex supports across multiple sites.
Worker screening costs vary by state and range from $107 in NSW to $163 in the ACT. Clearances are valid for 5 years and recognised nationally.
Realistic Timeline
Most providers complete registration in 3 to 12 months. The timeline depends primarily on how prepared you are before submitting your application and how quickly you can schedule your audit.
The biggest delays occur when providers are underprepared for their audit. Having all documentation, screening clearances and evidence ready before submitting your application significantly reduces the overall timeline.
Ongoing Requirements After Registration
Registration is not a one-time process. Registered providers must maintain compliance throughout their registration period.
All registered providers must:
- Renew registration every 3 years with a new audit
- Comply with NDIS Practice Standards and Code of Conduct
- Report incidents to the Commission within required timeframes
- Maintain valid worker screening clearances for all staff in risk-assessed roles
- Keep insurance current and meeting minimum requirements
Certification providers additionally must:
- Undertake a Condition of Registration Audit as outlined on the certificate of registration - typically for those providers who receive registration prior to commencing service delivery, an additional audit is required to witness service delivery within 3 months
- Complete a mid-term audit 18 months into the registration period
- Submit behaviour support plans to the Commission (if applicable)
- Report use of restrictive practices (if applicable)
Do You Need to Register?
Registration is mandatory for providers delivering certain services. You must be registered to provide Specialist Disability Accommodation, Plan Management, Specialist Behaviour Support, services involving regulated restrictive practices, and services to NDIA-managed participants.Registration for Support Coordination, Supported Independent Living and platform providers is expected to become mandatory, though implementation dates have not been confirmed as at December 2025.
Registration is optional for providers offering household tasks, transport, allied health (to self or plan-managed participants only), and other lower-risk supports. Unregistered providers can only work with self-managed or plan-managed participants.
Mandatory Registration for SIL and Platform Providers
On the 18th December 2025, the Government announced that mandatory registration for disability service providers in Supported Independent Living (SIL), as well as platform providers, will begin from 1 July 2026.
This means that every provider delivering these NDIS-funded supports must register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
The NDIS Commission is currently reviewing the NDIS Practice Standards, which will include increased compliance requirements for SIL providers. Further information will become available as the NDIS Commission releases this.
To date, there has been no announcement on mandatory registration dates for Support Coordinators.
Registration continues to be optional for providers offering household tasks, transport, allied health (to self or plan-managed participants only), and other lower-risk supports. Unregistered providers can only work with self-managed or plan-managed participants.
Providers should be aware that as of October 2024, there is now a defined list of NDIS supports and non-NDIS supports.
Contact Information
For application questions: registration@ndiscommission.gov.au
For technical support with the portal: nqsc.ictsupport@ndiscommission.gov.au
For myID help: https://www.myid.gov.au/help
For RAM help: https://info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/help
Need help with NDIS registration? Provider+ offers registration support packages including policy development, audit preparation and application guidance. Email us at vip@providerplus.com.au to discuss your requirements.
FAQs
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