How do I become an NDIS provider?

The NDIS has rolled out across all parts of Australia now. How you register for the NDIS is dependent on where you provide services.

Registering as an NDIS Provider in WA

If you’re only operating in Western Australia you have to:

1. first apply for a PRODA account ,
2. then register with the NDIA through the myplace provider portal.

Here is a step by step guide on how to perform those 2 steps: Registering as an NDIS Provider in WA

Note that NDIS Commission will commence in Western Australia on 1 July 2020.

Registering as an NDIS Provider in All States (except WA)

If you operate in any state and not in WA, you register with the NDIS Commission.

Steps to Register as an NDIS Service Provider (with the NDIS Commission)

STEP 1. Complete the online application form

The NDIS Commission provides an online application form for providers wishing to register as NDIS Service Providers. When submitting this application, you will need to:

1. Provide information, including:

• your organisation’s contact details
• your corporate structure,
• your outlets/places of operation, and
• your key personnel.

2. Select the registration groups your organisation provides. 

This determines which NDIS Practice Standards apply to your organisation.

Support items are grouped into registration groups. Different supports have different levels of risk associated with their delivery.

Grouping supports streamlines registration for providers, so they only have to register for the registration groups relevant to their business.

Support items in each registration group have similar quality and safeguarding requirements.

The Provider Registration Guide to Suitability for Western Australia contains a list of all registration groups if you want to take a look before you start your application.

3. Complete a self-assessment

Each provider completes an NDIS Self Assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards relevant to the supports and services your organisation delivers. You may need to upload evidence of the services you offer.

REGISTER AS A PROVIDER

STEP 2. Select an approved quality auditor

After you submit your online application, you will receive an ‘initial scope of audit’ document by email from the NDIS Commission.

This document contains the registration requirements that apply to your organisation.

It specifies:

1. whether you require a ‘verification’ or ‘certification’ audit and
2. what your organisation needs to demonstrate to comply with the relevant NDIS Practice Standards

You need to now engage an approved quality auditor to undertake the audit. 

FIND AN APPROVED AUDITOR

STEP 3. Undergo an Audit

All providers seeking registration will be required to undertake an audit against the applicable NDIS Practice Standards as part of the NDIS Commission’s registration requirements.

Under the new NDIS Commission, there will be two ways:

• Verification audit
  A Verification is for providers delivering lower risk or less complex services. When registering through verification, NDIS Providers supply documentation against the four outcomes within the Verification Module of the NDIS Practice Standards.  
   
• Certification audit
  A Certification Audit is Certification is for higher risk, more complex services and supports.

If you deliver a range of services and just one of them falls into a high risk registration group, you will need to undergo a certification audit. 

Although there is no cost to apply to be a registered NDIS provider, you will face the cost of the Audit.

This cost is exponential according to the type of services you offer (i.e. if you offer 'high risk' services like behaviour support, you will need to under go a Certification Audit which is more expensive than the Verification audit (desktop audit) that would apply to a gardening service.)

STEP 4. The NDIS Commission assesses your application and makes a decision

After assessing your application, the NDIS Commission will:

• consider the audit outcomes and
• conduct a suitability assessment of your organisation and key personnel. 

Key personnel are the individuals who hold key executive, management or operational positions in your organisation, such as Directors, Managers, Board Members, Chief Executive Officer or Chairperson. You must include all key personnel on your application. 

The NDIS will then make a decision and contact you to let you know if your application has been successful and the reasons why or why not.

STEP 5. Receive your application outcome

For successful applicants: you will receive a certificate of registration outlining the services or supports you are registered to provide, the period of registration, and any conditions you must follow to keep your registration.

For unsuccessful applicants: you may contact the NDIS Commission to request a review within three months of the decision. If your application is still unsuccessful following the review, you may seek a further review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

How to Get Help Registering as an NDIS Service Provider 

Our partners in helping NDIS registered providers are PQplus.

They can help you identify the qualifications and expertise staff need to provide your services, explain the Worker Screening process and provide risk assessment tools.

A Quality Management System is more than policies. They supply the forms and tools you need and they'll explain how to use them to stay on track for audits. Contact PQplus today.

How to Get the Insurance I need for my NDIS Audit?

Our partners in helping NDIS registered providers make sure they have the required insurances in place is Bizcover.

The NDIS Audit specifies that a registered NDIS service provider needs:

• Public Liability,
• Personal Indemnity and
• Accident Insurance to protect them against the risks they face.

Get an instant quote online