Registered vs Unregistered NDIS Providers: What's the Difference?

"Are you a registered provider?" is one of the first questions families learn to ask. The answer affects who you're allowed to use, which safeguards are in place, and sometimes what you pay. The rules also changed in 2026 for supported independent living (SIL). Here's what the difference means for your family.

What is a registered NDIS provider?

A registered NDIS provider has (NDIS Commission – About registration):

• applied for registration with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the NDIS Commission)
• been audited against the relevant NDIS Practice Standards and assessed as meeting them
• passed a suitability assessment of the provider and its key personnel
• been issued a certificate of registration.

Registration generally lasts three years, and registered providers are listed on the public NDIS Provider Register.

What registered providers must keep doing

Registration comes with ongoing conditions (NDIS Commission), including:

• meeting the NDIS Practice Standards
• following the NDIS Code of Conduct
• having proper systems for complaints and incidents
• making sure workers in risk-assessed roles, and key personnel, hold NDIS worker screening clearances
• meeting audit and notification requirements.

What is an unregistered NDIS provider?

An unregistered provider delivers NDIS supports but isn't registered with the NDIS Commission. The NDIS describes them as not registered with or regulated by the NDIS Commission (NDIS – What is a provider). Many are sole traders or small local businesses, such as an independent support worker, a cleaner or a gardener.

Unregistered providers still have rules. All NDIS providers, registered or not, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct (NDIS). Australian Consumer Law also protects you when you buy services.

Side-by-side comparison

Sources: NDIS Commission – About registration; NDIS – How to find and choose a provider; NDIS Commission – Worker screening for participants

Who can use unregistered providers?

Only participants who self-manage or plan-manage their NDIS funding can choose unregistered providers (NDIS Commission). If your funding is NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers for those supports (NDIS).

Supports that always need a registered provider

A provider must be registered to deliver these (NDIS Commission):

• specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• specialist behaviour support
• supports for participants with NDIA-managed funding
• plan management
• assistance with supported independent living (SIL)
• NDIS digital platform services.

Providers must also be registered to use regulated restrictive practices.

New in 2026: SIL providers must register

All providers delivering SIL, or NDIS digital platform services, must now be registered. Your SIL provider must be registered, or have applied to register, by 1 October 2026. Your plan and funding won't change. If your provider doesn't register, you'll need to move to a registered provider, and the NDIA says it will help you find one (NDIS news, 9 June 2026).

Unregistered SIL providers who applied before 1 October 2026 can keep delivering SIL while their application is decided. The NDIS Commission publishes a list of them (NDIS Commission – Find a registered provider).

If you choose and manage your own support workers, including directing and rostering them, that isn't SIL, and the change doesn't apply to you.

What about prices?

Maximum prices are set in the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27. The ndis.gov.au pricing page says the maximum prices apply to NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants (NDIS – Pricing arrangements). So whether a price limit applies depends mainly on how your plan is managed:

• NDIA-managed: You use registered providers, and limits apply.
• Plan-managed: Limits apply, so your plan manager can't pay more than the maximum, whichever provider you use.
• Self-managed: You can negotiate prices with providers (NDIS – self-managed funding). The schedule is still a useful benchmark.

This may change. The government is consulting on "differentiated pricing", which would set different price limits depending on whether a provider is registered. The NDIA's Annual Pricing Review recommended starting on 1 January 2027, but no decision has been announced (health.gov.au, 24 September 2026).

Pros and cons for families

Why families choose registered providers

• Independent checks: audits, suitability assessments and ongoing conditions.
• Screened workers in risk-assessed roles.
• Formal complaints and incident systems that the NDIS Commission oversees.
• Required for NDIA-managed plans and for SIL, SDA, plan management and specialist behaviour support.

Why families choose unregistered providers

• More choice, especially local sole traders, people from your community, or someone you already know and trust.
• Flexibility for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
• Often easier to arrange for everyday supports such as cleaning and gardening.

If you use an unregistered provider, protect yourself

• Ask for NDIS worker screening clearances. There's no rule that a worker must have one, but you have the right to only accept workers with a current clearance, and the NDIS Commission recommends you do. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can apply for access to the worker screening database to check clearances themselves (NDIS Commission – Worker screening for participants).
• Get a written service agreement with prices, cancellations and a complaints process.
• Remember the Code of Conduct still applies, and you can report concerns to the NDIS Commission.

How to check whether a provider is registered

1. Go to the NDIS Commission's Provider Register search.
2. Search by name, and choose "Approved" to see current registrations.
3. You can also choose "Revoked" to see providers whose registration was cancelled or who have been banned.
4. Check that the provider's registration covers the type of support you need. Registration is by "registration group", such as SIL.

Frequently asked questions

Is a registered NDIS provider better than an unregistered one?

Not automatically. Registered providers go through audits and must meet extra conditions, which gives you more independent safeguards. Many unregistered providers give excellent support. What matters is the right fit, screened workers and a clear agreement.

Can I use an unregistered provider if my plan is NDIA-managed?

No. NDIA-managed funding can only be used with registered providers (NDIS).

Do unregistered providers have to follow any rules?

Yes. All NDIS providers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and Australian Consumer Law protects you as a buyer.

Does my SIL provider need to be registered?

Yes. SIL providers must be registered, or must have applied to register by 1 October 2026 (NDIS news).

Will unregistered providers have different prices in future?

The government is consulting on this. The NDIA recommended starting on 1 January 2027, but no decision has been announced.

Do workers for unregistered providers need a screening check?

It isn't legally required, but the NDIS Commission recommends you only accept workers with a current clearance, and you have the right to insist (NDIS Commission).

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules are changing in 2026-27. Always check the NDIS and NDIS Commission websites for your situation.