If you support NDIS participants without being registered, the NDIS changes that came into effect on 1 July 2026 might change that. Some providers now need to apply for registration before October 2026.
The question is whether that includes you. It depends on two things: how your clients' budgets are managed and what type of service you provide. Here's how to work it out and what to do next if it applies to you.
Not every provider is affected. Whether you are comes down to two factors.
Factor 1: How Your Client's Budget Is Managed
NDIS participants manage their funding in one of three ways: plan managed, self managed or NDIA managed (also known as agency managed).
If a participant's budget is NDIA managed, they can only use registered providers. That's not new, but it's worth restating clearly. If you're unregistered, agency managed participants simply aren't an option for you, regardless of how good your service is.
This means your registration status directly limits which participants you can take on. If most of your current clients are plan managed or self managed, you may not have felt this yet. That doesn't mean it won't matter as your client base grows.
Factor 2: What Type of Service You Provide
Some services legally require NDIS registration, regardless of who your client is or how their plan is managed:
- Specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
- Specialist behaviour support services.
- Supports or services to participants with NDIA managed funding.
- Plan management services.
- Aged care services to NDIS participants.
- Regulated restrictive practices, in any context.
If any of these describe part of your service offering, registration isn't optional. It's a legal requirement.
Note: We've covered these changes in our blog: NDIS Update: A Guide to the 2026-27 Pricing Schedule.
Why Registration Might Be Worth It, Even if It's Not Required
If neither factor applies to you, you can keep operating without registration. Some providers choose to register anyway and it's worth understanding why.
Who Actually Manages Registration?
Registration isn't handled by the NDIA. It sits with the NDIS Commission, a separate body responsible for provider quality and safeguarding, including registration applications and renewals.
What Does the Registration Process Involve?
If registration applies to you, or you've decided it's worth pursuing, here's what the process generally looks like:
Staying on Top of NDIS Changes
NDIS requirements shift often and registration is just one part of a broader set of updates rolling out through 2026. If you'd rather not track every change yourself, subscribe to the Provider Choice newsletter. We break down what's changing and what it actually means for providers, without the jargon.
References:
NDIS | Guide to becoming a provider
NDIS | How to register as a provider
NDIS | Provider finder
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission | Apply for registration
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission | The quality audit process
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