The difference between unregistered and registered NDIS providers

February 14, 2022

Have questions about unregistered and registered NDIS providers? 

Whether you’re new to the NDIS or have been on a plan for a few years, you might have questions about the difference between unregistered and registered NDIS providers. Here, we break down these differences and address the common questions we’re asked about this topic.

Firstly, what is a provider and what’s the difference between unregistered and registered NDIS providers?

Providers are an essential part of the NDIS. Without them, there would be nobody to help NDIS participants receive the supports and services required to help achieve their goals! 

Providers can either be registered with the NDIS, or unregistered. If a provider has opted to become registered, it means it has registered its services and has been approved by the NDIA to deliver NDIS funded services. This means registered providers have been verified by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and can claim their invoices with the NDIS directly. It also means the business has undergone an audit to prove its suitability to work within the NDIS. Registered providers also must adhere to the NDIS Price Guide and follow a stringent set of rules and regulations while providing support and services. 

While unregistered providers can set their own price, they’re still heavily regulated and must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct. As with registered providers, people are able to make a complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission about an unregistered provider or worker. 

Why do some businesses choose to not register as an NDIS provider?

There are a few reasons why a service provider might choose not to register with the NDIS. Firstly, businesses that do not specialise in disability services (such as a personal trainer) may not choose to become NDIS registered because it’s not their main scope of work. The other reason why some businesses choose not to become NDIS registered simply comes down to the registration process, which can be both timely and costly – especially for smaller providers who may not have the resources to do this.

The important thing to note is that an unregistered provider does not mean they’re less professional or unable to help you with your wants, needs or goals. As with engaging any provider of services, it’s important to read the reviews of a provider you’re interested in and speak with someone from their team to gauge whether they can assist you and your needs. 

Can I incorporate both NDIS registered and unregistered providers in my plan? 

Depending on how your plan is managed, you may not be able to access unregistered NDIS providers. While NDIS participants whose plan is self-managed or plan managed can use unregistered NDIS providers in most circumstances, those who opt for an agency-managed plan (managed by the NDIA) cannot. 

However, regardless of your plan, you must use a registered NDIS provider for the following supports and services:

• specialist disability accommodation
• supports or services during which there is, or is likely to be, a need to use a regulated restrictive practice
• specialist behaviour supports that involve undertaking behaviour support assessment of the participant or developing a behaviour support plan for the participant.

You can learn more about this topic on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission page, which you can access by clicking here. 

Why choosing Disability Plan Services – an NDIS plan management provider – is the best option

When you opt to use Disability Plan Services as your NDIS plan management provider, you’ll be able to access a range of quality NDIS registered and unregistered providers. If you opt to self-manage your plan and choose to use unregistered providers, you may be directly sent invoices before having to manually make a claim through the NDIS portal. This process is not only time-consuming, but quite complex. Conversely, if you choose to have your plan managed by the NDIA, you will not be able to access unregistered providers at all. This can be highly inconvenient if you’re seeking a particular service (let’s say a dietitian) and there are no NDIS registered dietitians in your local area, or there are, but they’ve closed their books to new clients.  

When you choose to have your plan managed by Disability Plan Services, all the stress and hard work involved with finding service providers are managed by us – so you have more time to enjoy the things you love doing. As an independent NDIS registered provider with many years of experience, we know that everyone’s wants and needs are different. We take the time to understand you and your goals so that you can rest assured that we’re always doing what’s best for you.

If you’d like a plan management provider to handle your NDIS support services and the complex paperwork that goes along with them, get in touch by calling us on 1800 312 870 or by clicking here.