Registered vs Unregistered NDIS Providers: What You Need to Know to Grow Your Business

The NDIS sector offers many avenues for businesses to deliver supports to participants but whether you operate as a registered or unregistered NDIS provider can profoundly affect your business growth, participant access, credibility, and payment pathways. Understanding the difference is critical if you aim to expand, deliver more complex services, or work with NDIA-managed plans.

In this blog we explain what makes a provider “registered,” what being unregistered looks like, how they are paid, the requirements involved, and why registering may open more doors for business success.

What Is a Registered NDIS Provider?

Regulatory Status and Approval

A registered NDIS provider is formally approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (QSC). Registration means meeting specific regulatory conditions including:

• Compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards.
   
• Worker screening checks and other suitability assessments.
   
• Having systems for complaints handling, incident reporting, and maintaining certain safety practices.

Market Access and Services Offered

Registered providers can work with all types of participants, including NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed.

They also can deliver specialist or more regulated supports like Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL), and behaviour supports (especially those involving restrictive practices) which are restricted to registered providers.

What Is an Unregistered NDIS Provider?

Regulatory Differences

An unregistered provider is a provider who has not completed registration with the NDIS Commission. They are not subject to the full suite of NDIS audits, registration group obligations, or some of the stricter regulatory oversight. However, unregistered providers are still required to comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and all relevant general laws.

Limitations in Service Delivery

Unregistered providers typically serve only self-managed or plan-managed participants. They cannot provide supports to participants who are NDIA-managed.

They also cannot offer restricted or specialist supports such as SDA, behaviour supports that include restrictive practices, or plan management. These require registration.

Payment Arrangements

Unregistered providers are paid via invoicing participants (self-managed) or plan managers (plan-managed). Participants then either reimburse themselves or plan managers process payments on their behalf.

This method gives more direct control over fee setting (as long as within the plan and pricing rules) but also places more onus on the provider to manage billing, documentation, and ensure compliance.

Key Differences Between Registered and Unregistered Providers

Regulatory oversight and accountability
Registered providers must comply with Practice Standards, undergo audits, and maintain worker screening. Unregistered providers face less oversight but must still comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and consumer law.

Participants that can be serviced
Registered providers can work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants. Unregistered providers can only work with plan-managed and self-managed participants.

Services and supports offered
Registered providers can deliver restricted supports such as SDA, SIL, and behaviour support. Unregistered providers cannot.

Pricing rules and payment processing
Registered providers claim directly through NDIA systems. Unregistered providers invoice participants or plan managers, creating extra administrative steps.

Use of NDIS branding and visibility
Registered providers are listed in the NDIS Provider Finder and can use official branding. Unregistered providers do not have the same visibility or marketing reach.

How Do Unregistered NDIS Providers Get Paid?

• Self-managed participants: the provider invoices the participant directly; the participant pays, then claims reimbursement from the NDIA.
   
• Plan-managed participants: the provider invoices the plan manager, who then pays the provider.

Because payments rely on participant or plan manager action, cash flow can be less predictable and administrative demands are higher.

NDIS Registration Process and Requirements

To become a registered NDIS provider, you must apply through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The process involves:

1. Submitting an application online, selecting your registration groups.
    
2. Completing a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards.
    
3. Undertaking an independent audit.
    
4. Demonstrating compliance with worker screening, complaints handling, and incident management requirements.
    
5. Ongoing reporting and renewal of registration.

Read more about NDIS registration here.

Benefits of Becoming a Registered Provider

Becoming a registered NDIS provider expands your market immediately because you can work with all participant types, including those whose plans are NDIA managed. This wider access translates to steadier referrals and more consistent revenue, since you are no longer limited to self managed or plan managed clients.

Registration also unlocks service lines that unregistered businesses cannot offer. You can deliver restricted supports such as Specialist Disability Accommodation, Supported Independent Living, and behaviour support that involves restrictive practices. For many providers, adding even one of these categories creates a clear pathway to scale.

Day to day, payments are simpler and more predictable. Registered providers can claim directly through the NDIA’s portal, which reduces back-and-forth with participants and plan managers and shortens the time from service delivery to payment. Beyond operations, registration strengthens your credibility. Participants, coordinators and plan managers view registration as a signal of quality and safety, which increases trust and referral opportunities. You also gain greater market visibility through official directories and approved use of NDIS branding guidelines, helping the right clients find you faster.

Addressing Common Concerns

• Costs and time: Registration does require investment in audits and compliance systems, but the long-term business benefits outweigh the upfront costs.
   
• Myth: only large providers benefit: Small providers can register for only the groups they deliver, keeping costs and compliance manageable.
   
• Risks of remaining unregistered: Lower visibility, fewer referrals, no access to NDIA-managed participants, and inability to deliver certain services.

Labour Care can streamline your registration and compliance so you can focus on delivering quality supports.

Conclusion

The choice between being a registered or unregistered provider has direct consequences for your business growth. Remaining unregistered may be a short-term option, but it limits your client base and the services you can offer.

Registering expands your opportunities, builds your reputation, and provides access to all NDIS participants and supports. If you are ready to grow, consider making the move to registration.

Ready to make the move from unregistered to registered? Labour Care can guide you through the registration process with compliance support, training, and practical advice so you can grow your business with confidence. Book a free consultation today.

FAQs about registered vs unregistered NDIS providers:

1. Will my business appear in the NDIS Provider Finder if I’m unregistered?

No. The Provider Finder lists registered NDIS providers only.

2. Can small or sole trader providers benefit from NDIS registration?

Yes, registration is not just for large providers. Sole traders or small businesses can register for specific registration groups relevant to the supports they deliver, keeping compliance and costs manageable while unlocking access to more participants and funding.

3. How can NDIS registration improve payment times compared to being unregistered?

Registered providers claim payments directly through the NDIS portal, usually resulting in faster processing and less involvement in administrative follow-up. Unregistered providers rely on participant or plan manager reimbursement, which can cause delays and cash flow unpredictability.