NDIS sole trader requirements: checks before you start

Working in the NDIS as a Sole Trader

By Tristram Peters · Originally published 21 June 2023

A person writing in a notebook beside a laptop and phone

Deeper review: 6 October 2026. The deeper review adds article-specific decisions and audience guidance. Historical passages and their adjacent corrections remain preserved.

Map the actual service before deciding on registration

“Sole trader” describes a business structure, not an exemption from NDIS requirements. Write down the supports you will deliver, who you will work with and whether any activity requires registration. Current SIL and qualifying digital-platform requirements need their own scope check; the old blanket statement about all plan-managed work is incomplete. Read the official guidance

Separate registration from worker screening, qualifications, business administration and insurance. Keep a record of which requirement applies to each service. If you expand into a different activity, repeat the check before advertising or accepting the booking.

Ask qualified advisers about tax and insurance obligations for the work you actually offer.

Original article and dated context

Tristram Peters is Head of Participant Engagement at Clickability, helping participants find and connect with service providers. He also co-hosts the Grow Bold with Disability and What Are You Staring At? podcasts.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has big providers, sole traders, and everything in between. This is great for participants, who have genuine choice: they can choose a big provider with greater resources or a sole trader who offers a more niche, personalised experience. There’s no right or wrong – only what suits the participant best.

But like any market, the NDIS needs variety – and we want to do what we can to help. We’ll look at big providers and NDIS registration in a future post, but today, we want to champion the sole trader. If you’re an individual who is unsure how to work as a sole trader and find participants (what the NDIS calls customers), we’re here to help. We’re going to explore:

Setting up your business
Becoming NDIS compliant
Working with participants

Setting up your business for the NDIS

Before you begin working in the NDIS, you will need to first set up your business, just like every other sector! This is a legal requirement that ensures both you and your participants are protected and puts you on the path to long-term success.

A sole trader is a type of business structure, where you are the business. This means you are legally responsible for all aspects, but thankfully, it’s relatively easy to set up and run. To begin, register an Australian business number (ABN) and a business name if it’s different to your own.

The other aspect you need to consider is insurance, including public liability insurance. This can be bought online and will again ensure that you are protected and can work safely in Australia and within the NDIS. But get competitive and shop around.

[Clickability update, September 2026: Insurance should match the actual services, risks and any registration conditions. Buying a policy is not proof that every activity or professional risk is covered. Review the business structure and responsibilities.]

We also recommend you seek the support of an accountant to determine your tax for the end of financial year. As a sole trader, you will be responsible for paying this amount, so safeguard yourself and put a percentage of your income away for this very purpose. You don’t want to be caught out.

Becoming NDIS compliant

To work in the NDIS, you don’t have to be a registered provider. Instead, you can remain unregistered. We’ve written about this previously for participants, but to summarise: registered providers can work with all participants, including those who manage their funds through the NDIA, while unregistered providers can only work with participants who manage their funds themselves or through a plan manager.

[Clickability update, September 2026: That is not an unrestricted option for every service. Some supports require registration; defined SIL and NDIS digital platform services entered mandatory registration arrangements from July 2026 with transitions. Check the service-specific rules.]

If you want to increase the number of participants you can work with, specifically those who have their funds managed by the NDIA, you can register by visiting the Applications Portal and following the prompts. The process can be a long one. However, even while you’re waiting for the application to go through, you can begin working with plan and self-managed participants.

[Clickability update, September 2026: An application alone does not authorise a service requiring registration. Confirm the service, participant’s funding management and any applicable transition conditions before starting. Read the current requirements.]

If you’re happy only working with plan and self-managed participants, you don’t need to register. Despite this, you will still need to follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, which includes respecting an individual's rights to freedom, self-determination, and decision-making, their privacy, and more.

Remember: we will be taking a deep dive into NDIS registration in our next blog post.

Working with participants

In a previous blog post, we explored the top five ways to promote your NDIS Business. Please remember that, if you’re an unregistered NDIS sole trader, you will only be able to support plan and self-managed participants. This means you will have to check with any participant before they begin accessing your service.

Once you’ve found participants, you’ll need to create a service agreement and a schedule of supports. These documents outline what services you will be providing and how often. It’s like a contract, but they don’t need to be complicated. We explore how to set one up here.

Want to know more?

Clickability can help your business grow through our accreditation packages, giving you increased visibility on our directory, access to service requests, and much more. Simply visit www.clickability.com.au/providers or email hello@clickability.com.au for more.

We’ve also got Clickability’s Guide to Working in the NDIS, which describes every aspect of your NDIS journey as a provider. Send us a message to get your copy!

Build the service around the responsibilities you can meet

Check that the contract matches the working arrangement

Ask who sets the hours, directs the work and carries the business risks. Having an ABN and sending invoices does not by itself decide employment status. Different legal tests can apply, so use current Fair Work guidance and obtain advice for the actual arrangement rather than copying another worker’s contract.

Work out what an hourly fee must cover, including administration, insurance and time that cannot be billed. Do not confuse an NDIS price limit with a guaranteed fee or a worker’s wage. Clarify travel, cancellations and record keeping before the first shift.

Clarify travel, cancellation and record-keeping terms as well as the rate before accepting the work.

Ask a small provider about continuity as well as rapport

A sole trader can offer a close working relationship. Ask what happens if they are sick, away or unable to provide a booked support. Agree which information can be shared with a replacement and whether you want that person involved.

Check the service, rate, complaint contact and boundaries in plain language. Personal rapport should make it easier to raise a concern, not make you feel obliged to accept a change. Keep your choice of provider separate from historical Clickability package claims or a provider’s business structure.

For a personal career journey alongside the business requirements, read becoming a support worker after a career change.

Questions readers ask

Does a sole trader automatically avoid NDIS registration?

No. Registration depends on the service and funding arrangements, including mandatory requirements and transitions. Official guidance

Do unregistered providers have no worker-screening considerations?

No. The Commission recommends screening for their workers; participants may require it, and other applicable requirements must also be checked. Official guidance

Does an ABN confirm that a sole trader meets all NDIS requirements?

No. An ABN, registration, screening, qualifications and the actual service arrangement are separate checks. Requirements depend on the supports being delivered. Official guidance

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