Should You Register as an NDIS Provider in 2026?

NDIS provider registration is mandatory if you deliver Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Plan Management, Specialist Behaviour Support, or any service involving regulated restrictive practices. 

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.

A date for mandatory registration for Support Coordination has not been announced as yet. 

For other services, registration is optional but recommended if you want to access NDIA-managed participants and grow your revenue.

Registered providers make up only 6% of the market (17,374 providers) but earn significantly more than unregistered providers (257,318 providers), who are limited to serving self-managed and plan-managed participants only. Q1 2025-26 Quarterly Report https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/8160/download?attachment

Which Services Require Registration?

Four categories of service have always required registration: Specialist Disability Accommodation, Plan Management, Specialist Behaviour Support, and any service involving regulated restrictive practices. Additionally, any provider wanting to serve NDIA-managed participants must be registered, regardless of service type.

Supported Independent Living (SIL), Support Coordination, and Platform Provider services are confirmed to become mandatory registration categories. The NDIS Commission completed consultation in July 2025 and is finalising implementation. Providers delivering these services should begin the registration process now rather than waiting for formal commencement dates.

Provider+ helps providers navigate registration for all service types, including SIL and Support Coordination. We offer policy packs, audit preparation, and end-to-end registration support.

Why Registered Providers Earn More

Registered providers access a larger market and receive payments faster. According to NDIA data from Q4 2024-25, registered providers represent just 6% of all active providers but handle the majority of payments to NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants. Unregistered providers can only serve participants who self-manage or use a plan manager, which limits their client pool significantly.

Registration also provides credibility advantages. Registered providers appear on the NDIS provider register, which participants and support coordinators use to find services. For NDIA-managed participants, registered providers can claim directly through the NDIS portal, which improves cash flow compared to invoicing arrangements For providers seeking contracts with hospitals, local councils, or large disability organisations, registration is typically a prerequisite.

The trade-off is compliance cost. Verification audits for low-risk services can cost $900 to $1,800 and occur every 3 years.  Certification audits for higher-risk services like SIL or personal care can cost from $2,800 to $12,000 or more, depending on organisation size and scope of work being conducted. Certified providers also require mid-term audits every 18 months and registration renewal audits every three years.

When Staying Unregistered Makes Sense

Unregistered providers can still deliver many NDIS services, provided they only work with self-managed or plan-managed participants. This tends to suit sole traders, allied health professionals with existing client bases, or providers delivering only low-risk services like cleaning, gardening, or transport assistance.

However, the unregistered pathway is narrowing. The government has advised  mandatory registration will be required for SIL, Support Coordination, and Platform Providers. Further expansion of mandatory registration is expected as the NDIS Commission increases oversight of the sector. Providers planning to stay unregistered long-term should ensure the services they deliver are not subject to current or upcoming mandatory registration requirements.

Even without registration, providers must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and conduct NDIS Worker Screening Checks for all workers. The NDIS Commission can investigate complaints against unregistered providers and take enforcement action for Code breaches.

How to Decide

Register now if you deliver any service requiring mandatory registration, if you want to serve NDIA-managed participants, or if you plan to scale your business beyond a small self-managed client base. Registration typically takes three to twelve months from application to approval, so providers who require registration should start early.

Consider staying unregistered if you are a sole trader delivering only low-risk services to a small number of self-managed or plan-managed participants, and you have no intention of expanding into services that require registration. This approach minimises compliance costs but it can limit growth potential.

If you are unsure which path suits your situation, Provider+ offers free initial consultations to help you assess your registration requirements and develop a compliance plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NDIS registration mandatory?

Registration is mandatory for SDA, Plan Management, Specialist Behaviour Support, regulated restrictive practices, services to NDIA-managed participants, and soon for SIL, Support Coordination, and Platform Providers. For other services, registration is optional.

Can unregistered providers work with NDIS participants?

Yes, but only with participants who self-manage or plan-manage their funding. Unregistered providers cannot serve NDIA-managed participants.

How many NDIS providers are registered?

As of Q1 2025-26, there were 17,374 registered providers and 257,318 unregistered providers. Registered providers represent approximately 6% of the market.

How long does registration take?

Three to  twelve months from application to approval, depending on audit availability and whether non-conformities need to be addressed.

Can I start unregistered and register later?

Yes. Many providers begin unregistered to test the market, then register to access NDIA-managed participants. However, if you deliver services subject to mandatory registration, you should not delay.

Next Steps

Provider+ helps new and existing providers with NDIS registration, policy packs aligned to Practice Standards, audit preparation, and ongoing compliance support. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss your registration needs.

* Last reviewed: December 2025. Based on NDIS Commission guidance and NDIA quarterly reports currently at publication.

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