Registering as an NDIS Provider

Go to the Handbooks Page to download the Registering as an NDIS Provider handbook. (Free for NSW sole traders and NDP Sole Trader members.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.)

Summary

Do you need to register as an NDIS provider?

There are various ways that NDIS participants can manage their funding under NDIS. A small portion of participants self-manage, which means that the NDIS participant is responsible for requesting and paying the invoices related to the supports they receive in their NDIS plan. Self-managing allows the NDIS participant to purchase supports from suppliers who are not registered NDIS providers, should they wish. This can include any type of support provided if these supports have been incorporated in the participant's NDIS Plan.

If you are only seeing NDIS participants who self-manage their money, you do not need to be registered. However, the majority of NDIS participants have assistance to manage their funds, either through a planner or third party. In these instances, you need to be a registered provider under the NDIS to provide services to this group of participants.

Who is responsible for NDIS provider registration?

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) will be responsible for the registration of all NSW and SA NDIS providers from 1 July 2018. Other States and Territories will follow as they reach the full scheme of NDIS.

NSW & SA – 1 July 2018
NT, TAS, VIC, QLD, ACT – 1 July 2019
WA - 1 July 2020

Until the dates above are reached, providers will continue to register via the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Registration requirements for SA and NSW from 1 July 2018

On 1 July 2018, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission became responsible for the registration of all NSW and SA NDIS service providers.

For NDIS service providers in those states:

Existing registered NDIS providers do not need to do anything—their information automatically transferred from the NDIA to the NDIS Commission.
New providers wishing to start providing supports and services in NSW and/or SA should apply for registration directly to the NDIS Commission.
New providers who had a pending application with the NDIA to provide NDIS supports and services in NSW and/or SA will need to submit a new registration application directly to the NDIS Commission.
Existing providers that had a pending application with the NDIA to add new NDIS supports and services to their existing registration will need to advise the NDIS Commission of the changes.

Under the NDIS Commission registered providers in NSW and SA will need to:

Comply with new conditions of registration and the NDIS Practice Standards
Comply with the new NDIS Code of Conduct and support their workers to meet its requirements
Have an in-house complaints management and resolution system, and support participants to make a complaint
Have an in-house incident management system, and notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents
Comply with the new worker screening requirements
Meet new behaviour support requirements (if applicable), including reporting restrictive practices to the NDIS Commission.

All employees of registered providers must complete a compulsory worker orientation module that will cover human rights, respect and risk, and the roles and responsibilities of NDIS workers. This will be introduced in the coming months.

Registration requirements for States and Territories outside of SA and NSW

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages the NDIS provider registration process for states and territories outside of NSW and SA. The NDIA has developed a provider toolkit, designed for organisations and individuals who want to learn more about working with the NDIS. Access the Provider Toolkit.

To assist individuals and organisations applying to become an NDIS registered provider in all other states and territories outside of NSW and SA, the NDIA has also developed a Provider Registration Checklist. The checklist is a quick guide to the steps involved in your application, or ‘intent to register’ process.

There are four key stages of the provider registration process:

Apply for a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account;
Use your PRODA account to register and gain access to the myplace provider portal;
Complete an ‘intent to register’ application which involves: selecting the registration groups to register for and nominating the professions and relevant professional qualifications of staff that will be delivering the various services / supports;
Complete your registration with the NDIS by supplying all required documentation, including a signed ‘Declaration of Suitability’.

See the handbook and section of this hub titled 'Using the NDIS Portal' for further information.

Service agreements

The NDIS Terms of Business and Provider Toolkit (section 5) stipulates that an NDIS Service Agreement is required for the provision of NDIS services for GST, record keeping and payment assurance purposes. A Service Agreement will help to ensure that the participant and provider have an agreed set of expectations of what supports will be delivered, and how they will be delivered. A Service Agreement should set out each party’s responsibilities and obligations, and the process for resolving any problems that may arise. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers are required to have a separate NDIS Service Agreement for provision of SDA supports.

Service bookings

The NDIS Provider Toolkit (section 5) details information on Service Bookings. A Service Booking is the way a participant engages with their chosen provider(s) online. The Service Booking is created based on the items that have been specified in the Service Agreement and includes the details of the specific service or support to be provided.

Australian Consumer Law responsibilities

Registered NDIS Providers must act in accordance with Australian Consumer Law, and the Competition & Consumer Act.

Australian Consumer Law (ACL) governs the interactions between businesses and consumers by:

Detailing the rights for consumers
Placing restrictions on businesses.

As an NDIS provider, you must understand your obligations under ACL when supplying consumers with a disability. Failure to do so is breaking the law, and can result in prosecution.

Further information can be found in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) publication “A Guide to Competition and Consumer Law for Businesses Selling to and Supplying Consumers with Disability”.