Registered vs unregistered NDIS providers: what's the difference and who can you use?
Whether you can use an unregistered provider depends on how your plan is managed and which support you need. Here are the 2026 rules.
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Short answer: A registered NDIS provider has been approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and is audited against the NDIS Practice Standards. An unregistered provider hasn't gone through that process. If your funding is NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers. If it's self-managed or plan-managed, you can usually use either — except for a few supports that always need a registered provider.
Key points
- How your plan is managed decides who you can use.
- SIL, SDA, specialist behaviour support and plan management always need a registered provider.
- Every provider must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, registered or not.
- More supports will need registered providers from July 2027.
What does "registered" mean?
To register, a provider applies to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the NDIS Commission), meets the NDIS Practice Standards for the supports it offers, and passes an audit. Registered providers have to keep meeting those standards, manage complaints and incidents in set ways, and make sure workers in risk-assessed roles hold NDIS worker screening clearance.
Being unregistered doesn't mean a provider is unsafe or unqualified. Many sole-trader therapists, small community groups and local businesses (a gardener, a gym, a cleaner) are unregistered because registration is costly and complex for a small operator. But you'll need to do a bit more of your own checking.
Who can I use? It depends on how your plan is managed
| How your funding is managed | Registered providers | Unregistered providers |
|---|---|---|
| NDIA-managed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plan-managed | ✓ | ✓ (most supports) |
| Self-managed | ✓ | ✓ (most supports) |
Not sure which you have? Your plan says how each part of your funding is managed — and you can mix types. Read self-managed vs plan-managed vs NDIA-managed for more.
Supports that always need a registered provider
Whatever your management type, you need a registered provider for:
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) — from 1 July 2026, new SIL providers must be registered, and existing unregistered SIL providers had until 1 October 2026 to apply or stop providing SIL
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- Specialist behaviour support, including the use of restrictive practices
- Plan management
The government has also announced that from 1 July 2027, registration will become mandatory for more higher-risk supports, including some personal care, daily living and closed-setting supports. Its stated goal is for around 90% of NDIS payments to go to registered providers. If you use an unregistered provider for personal care or daily living, ask them whether they plan to register before then.
Rules that apply to every provider
Registered or not, every NDIS provider must:
- follow the NDIS Code of Conduct — act with respect, keep you safe, respect your privacy, and deliver supports with care and skill
- charge no more than the price limits for NDIA-managed and plan-managed funding (self-managed funding isn't covered by price limits)
- respond to complaints, which you can take to the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544
A pricing change to watch
The NDIS has recommended differentiated pricing from 1 January 2027, under which unregistered providers of some social, community and civic participation supports would have price limits about 10% lower than registered providers. This is still subject to consultation, so check the price limits guide for updates.
How to check a provider
- Search the NDIS Commission's provider register for the business name or ABN. Registered providers show a registration number, the registration groups they're approved for, and any banning orders or compliance actions.
- Ask about worker screening. Ask whether workers who'll support you have an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
- Ask for qualifications and insurance. For therapists, check AHPRA or the relevant professional body.
- Get a service agreement that sets out what they'll provide, the price and how to end the agreement.
On Choosable you can search providers by support type and location, and open each profile to see their services, areas and contact details before you reach out.
Which should I choose?
There's no single right answer. Registered providers give you an extra layer of oversight. Unregistered providers can give you more choice, especially in regional areas or for specialised or culturally specific supports. Many participants use a mix. What matters most is that the provider is a good fit for your goals and treats you well.
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This article is general information, not advice about your situation. Choosable is an independent directory and is not part of the NDIA or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Always check current rules on ndis.gov.au (opens in a new tab) and ndiscommission.gov.au (opens in a new tab).
