To help you register as an NDIS provider, we’ve put together this simple guide on how to prepare for the process. This guide outlines the 5 steps for applying to register as an NDIS provider under the requirements of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission).
Registration with the NDIS Commission is required for all states and territories.
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The first step to registering as an NDIS provider is completing the application form.
New provider registrations
The online application form can be found on the NDIS Commission website through their Applications Portal.
The application requires the following details, so it is important to have them ready:
Your organisation’s contact details
Key personnel
Corporate structure
Service profile
Service coverage areas
Registration groups you wish to apply for
Supports and services your organisation delivers.
This detail will help determine which modules, or parts of the modules of the NDIS Practice Standards apply to your organisation. We’ve included some more information about the standards below.
Once this part of the form is finalised you will be able to undertake a self-assessment against the relevant parts of the NDIS Practice Standards, and upload any documents you are submitting as evidence that you self-assess as meeting the relevant NDIS Practice Standards.
| Did you know |
| Our products come with a ‘NDIS Registration Application guide’, which assists you in answering the self-assessment questions. |
The application form, including self-assessment responses, can be saved at any point. You have up sixty (60) days to complete the application.
Once this section is complete, you can submit your application. You will receive confirmation of your submission in an email, along with a document called the ‘initial scope of audit.’ This is the document that will be required by Auditors as part of Step 2.
What are the requirements?
To register as an NDIS provider under the NDIS Commission requirements you will need to meet relevant parts of the NDIS Practice Standards in relation to the supports and services your organisation delivers, or is intending to deliver.
The NDIS Commission will also take into account your organisation’s suitability to deliver NDIS supports and services when making a decision on your registration application.
The NDIS Code of Conduct also considers the behaviours and conduct of workers (and the provider) in how it goes about supporting people accessing their services.
These are all important inputs the NDIS Commission’s consideration of any new registration application. Registration requirements are designed to be proportionate. What this means is that a smaller provider with fewer workers and participants is not expected to present the same evidence as a national provider with a large workforce and many participants.
Do I need register?
Providers must be registered to deliver services and supports to NDIS participants who have their plan managed by the NDIA. NDIS providers that deliver specialist disability accommodation, use restrictive practices, or develop behaviour support plans must also be registered.
Some providers may not choose to register but they can only access participants who are Plan Managed or Self-Managed.
How much does it cost?
Submitting an application is free. However you will be responsible for the cost of the audit against the applicable NDIS Practice Standards.
The NDIS Practice Standards set out the standard of service delivery you must deliver to become and remain registered as an NDIS provider. Some parts apply to all registered NDIS providers. Other parts only apply to providers delivering more complex supports.
Each component of the NDIS Practice Standards consists of a series of high level, participant-focused outcomes. Under each outcome are a number of quality indicators that auditors will use to assess your compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards.
Verification or Certification
The Practice Standards that apply depend on your registration group(s) and legal type of organisation.
| Did you know |
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Centro ASSIST policies, processes and documents are categorised into the relevant modules of the NDIS Practice Standards, making it easy to identify what documents are applicable to your organisation. Find the right product for your organisation today. |
| Verification | Certification |
|---|---|
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Providers registering for lower risk registration groups must undergo the verification module of the NDIS Practice Standards. These providers must have evidence of relevant qualifications as well as incident, complaint and risk management policies. |
All providers registering for higher risk groups must complete the core module of the NDIS Practice Standards. For providers delivering higher-risk supports, they must complete one or more supplementary modules of the Practice Standards. |
The next steps of registering as an NDIS provider is the audit.
Engaging an auditor
It is your responsibility to engage an independent, approved quality auditor to undertake the audit. You can engage an auditor directly from the list of quality approved auditors here, or you can use our auditor referral program (see the ‘Did you know’ section). Whether you engage an auditor direct or go through our program, an auditor will use the ‘initial scope of audit’ document to quote for their services. You can discuss your specific needs and circumstances with auditors to negotiate the best value.
| Did you know |
Centro ASSIST has an auditor referral program for our customers. Here's how it works:
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Information required
The initial scope of audit you receive following the submission of your online application will summarise the registration requirements that apply to your organisation. It also outlines whether you require a ‘verification’ or ‘certification’ audit and what your organisation needs to demonstrate to comply with the relevant NDIS Practice Standards.
Auditors will check that the scope of audit is accurate and begin the audit process. As part of the assessment of compliance they will also consider how a provider operationalises policies and procedures in the course of delivering supports and services. This will involve the provision of evidence as well as inputs from NDIS participants and other stakeholders experiencing the services.
The auditor will submit the outcome of the audit to the NDIS Commission through an online portal.
The NDIS Commission will then assess your application. They will consider the outcomes of the audit and conduct a suitability assessment of your organisation and its key personnel, using information submitted from your application.
All suitability assessments are on a case-by-case basis. The outcome of the suitability assessment will be taken into account by the NDIS Commission when making their decision to register a NDIS Provider.
Please note that auditors have up to 28 days to submit the report and the NDIS Commission may take some time to approve the application. This stage requires some patience.
Successful application
If your application is successful, you will receive a Certificate of Registration. This includes the classes of supports and services you are registered to provide, the period of registration and any conditions on your registration. You must comply with all conditions of registration, including the NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Code of Conduct.
Unsuccessful application
If your application is unsuccessful, the NDIS Commission will tell you why. You may request a review within three months of the decision. If your application is determined to be unsuccessful, you may seek a further review from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Please note that some applications will take longer to process than others. The timeframe depends on various factors, including the size and scale of your organisation, as well as the complexity and range of services and supports you deliver.
Once you have successfully registered for the NDIS, congratulations on your achievement! However, there are ongoing compliance requirements to be aware of, which include:
Complying with the NDIS Practice Standards and conditions of registration
Complying with the NDIS Code of Conduct
Having an in-house complaints management and resolution system, and support participants to make a complaint
Having an in-house incident management system and notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents
Ensuring all workers are screened through national worker screening
Meeting new behaviour support requirements (if applicable)
The NDIS Commission monitors registered NDIS providers for compliance with the conditions of registration, and has the power to suspend, vary or revoke registration. Read more on this in our Blog.
Did you know
Our standard policies and processes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they are always up to date with changes in regulation. With our products, you can have peace of mind knowing your documentation is always up to date.
Access ready-made policies and processes, registration self-assesment guides and more
