Unregistered NDIS providers: choice, exceptions and getting paid

Everything you need to know about unregistered NDIS providers

By Tristram Peters · Originally published 6 June 2021

Two people shaking hands over paperwork beside a laptop

Original article and dated context

Tristram Peters is a writer, editor, and disability advocate with a keen passion for sport. He recently represented Australia at the powerchair football world cup and sits on the sport’s executive board for the Asia Pacific Oceania zone. Most importantly, he’s part of the Clicka-family!

Imagine you’ve found a cleaner to de-clutter your home. Or a handyman who can fix that rotting ramp. Or a store that sells cheap consumables. But they are all unregistered NDIS providers. Can you still use your NDIS funds to pay for their services?

If you’re plan managed (or self-managed), the good news is you can! If it’s relevant to your Plan, the NDIS has ensured that you can access ‘mainstream’ services and use your funds to pay for them, ensuring choice and control remains yours. Cool, huh?

[Clickability update, September 2026: This is not permission to use every unregistered provider or fund any repair or product. Mandatory-registration exceptions and the support rules still apply. Check provider requirements and what can be funded.]

Unfortunately, the difference between registered and unregistered providers is an area that’s often misunderstood – and you might be missing out on some amazing supports as a result.

Registered vs Unregistered NDIS Providers

The term ‘unregistered NDIS providers’ can be a bit alarming when you first hear it. Why are they unregistered? Does this mean that they are not fully covered by NDIS funding?

The NDIS asks service providers to register with the NDIS. However, not all providers choose to register. If you're a registered or unregistered provider looking to grow your business, an NDIS Marketing Agency can help you reach more clients.

Why don't all service providers register?

Registering an NDIS business takes time, money and effort – three things that many smaller providers don’t have a lot of.

As a result, a lot of smaller service providers chose not to register with the NDIA, and are therefore classified as ‘unregistered NDIS providers’.

[Clickability update, September 2026: Provider registration is with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, not the NDIA. SIL and defined digital platforms have mandatory requirements with transitional arrangements. Read current registration guidance.]

Despite not being registered with the NDIS, many unregistered providers are highly skilled, passionate and dedicated to making life better for people with a disability.

Using unregistered NDIS Providers

The main difference between NDIS registered and unregistered providers is that registered providers have been verified by the NDIS Commission and can claim their invoices with the NDIS directly.

Unregistered providers (such as an everyday cleaner or gardener) will send their invoices for you to pay. You will then have to manually claim the funds back from the NDIS, using the NDIS portal.

[Clickability update, September 2026: This describes a possible self-management process, not the process for every participant. With plan management, the manager usually handles invoices; NDIA-managed supports use registered providers. See the management distinctions.]

So, just like any registered provider, non registered NDIS providers can provide services which are fully funded by the NDIS. They just can’t claim their invoices with the NDIS directly. Are there any other differences?

Registered Providers

They have been verified by the NDIS Commission and have undergone an audit to prove their suitability to work within the NDIS.
You have less choice when it comes to services; if your gardener isn't registered, you won't be able to use your NDIS funds to pay for their service.

Unregistered Providers

You can use your funds for everyday unregistered provider services, such as cleaners or gardeners, as long as it relates to your disability and is considered 'reasonable and necessary'.
According to the NDIS, this means the product or service must be related to your disability, should represent value for money and must be likely to be effective.
The unregistered service provider might not know about the NDIS; you or your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager might need to educate them about how it works and how to invoice (we've outlined exactly what they need to know below).
You potentially have more paperwork to complete.

How do you access non registered NDIS providers?

You might consider using only registered providers and having all administration done directly by the NDIS, because dealing with invoices and claiming from the portal is too much hassle.

However, you could find yourself facing some issues.

For instance, in many areas there is only a limited number of registered providers and a much larger network of unregistered providers, so it might be hard to find the right supports for you. Or you find out that you can’t receive services from your favorite service provider anymore once you have accessed the NDIS, because they have not registered with the NDIS.

The good news is that with the use of a plan manager, you can use your NDIS funds to access unregistered providers and you don’t have to deal with all the administrative hassle of claiming invoices. This opens up a lot more opportunities and causes a lot less stress. Your plan manager will pay your providers directly, taking all the administration hassle away from you and your providers.

If you're self managed, you can still use NDIS unregistered providers, but you'll have to do a lot more admin.

[Clickability update, September 2026: Check the actual invoicing arrangement, delivered support and current item rules. A claim number or approved invoice does not establish funding eligibility. Use current official pricing documents.]

How should an unregistered NDIS provider invoice?

If you’re using a service that has never interacted with the NDIS, you might be wondering what you need to do for them to get paid. If the provider has never heard of the NDIS before, explain what it is and let them know that they will simply need to amend their invoices so that you can claim for their service.

As with all their invoices, the unregistered provider will need to include their business name and ABN, contact information, invoice number and invoice date, your details, your payment terms and due date, total invoice amount and GST component if applicable.

However, the NDIA states that invoices must also include:

quantity of service provided or number of hours
unit price of service provided (hourly rate)
dates of service delivery
and support item number

For the last one, simply check out the price guide and let the business know. For more on invoicing, check out this blog post on how to send NDIS invoices correctly.

How do you get them to submit an invoice?

When they’ve completed the invoice, get them to send it to your Plan Manager, who will also assess whether it’s suitable. But because you’ve gone through your own checklist, you should be good.

Once it’s been approved, the Plan Manager will pay the business. They get their money. You get their service. Easy as pie.

Alternatively, many Plan Managers can reimburse you if it’s easier for you to pay the business direct. Talk to your Plan Manager about the best process to do this – but be sure to keep your receipts.

Is it that simple?

It kinda is! The only tricky bit is getting your support item number but rest assured that it remains the same if the service does. For example, a recurring cleaner will just use the same number for every invoice.

[Clickability update, October 2026: A recurring service does not guarantee an unchanged item code. Check the current schedule, delivered support and claim type when pricing documents or arrangements change. Check the current guidance.]

[Clickability update, September 2026: Do not assume an item number remains correct forever. Check the current catalogue, description and effective conditions when billing; a familiar code is not proof a claim is eligible.]

If you have any questions, speak to your LAC, Planner, or Support Coordinator. If you’re looking for the latter, you can search for them on www.clickability.com.au.

Choosing an unregistered NDIS provider in October 2026

Start with the funding for the service you want to buy. NDIA-managed funding requires a registered provider. Plan-managed and self-managed funding usually allow either registered or unregistered providers, subject to mandatory exceptions. Check the NDIA’s provider-choice guidance.

How participants should check an unregistered provider

Before the first booking, settle three questions: can this provider deliver this particular support, can your funding pay for it, and who will receive the invoice? A provider can answer the payment question without resolving the funding question. A service being useful, affordable or recommended does not on its own make it fundable.

Ask who will deliver the service, what experience they have with your needs, how they communicate and how they handle a missed visit or a concern. Request relevant qualifications and screening information rather than treating a registration label or a positive review as a complete suitability check.

Give the provider a clear description of the work you want. For household assistance, separate the disability-related help from ordinary purchases or property costs. The NDIS support lists and your plan remain the funding tests.

Which services have registration exceptions?

Plan management, specialist disability accommodation and specialist behaviour support require registered providers. Providers using regulated restrictive practices also have registration requirements. SIL and defined NDIS digital platform services are covered by the 2026 reforms, with specific transitions. See the Commission’s requirements.

An online directory is not automatically a regulated NDIS digital platform. The Commission’s definition includes an intermediary that processes NDIS-funded support payments. Likewise, participant-directed support-worker arrangements are not automatically SIL. Check the applicable definition rather than relying on the provider’s marketing name. Read the definitions and reform status.

What the October registration deadline means for existing arrangements

Under section 32 of the registration rules, eligible existing unregistered SIL and digital platform providers that lodged a valid application before 1 October 2026 can continue through the applicable transition until the registration decision. The deadline has now passed. That transition is not blanket permission for any unregistered provider or new entrant to start those services. Check the current rules, section 32.

If your arrangement relies on a transition, ask the provider to explain the pathway it uses and its application status. Plan a change in support carefully rather than cancelling essential assistance on the basis of a broad article summary. Support coordination’s proposed mandatory-registration reform remains paused. Read the Commission’s current position.

How unregistered providers get paid

With plan management, agree where to send invoices with the participant and their plan manager. With self-management, agree the participant’s payment and claiming process before delivery. Being unregistered does not mean every participant has to pay first and claim later.

Put the delivered service, dates, units, agreed charge and any separate charges in a clear invoice. Confirm the recipient’s requirements before the first invoice. If payment is delayed, identify whether the problem is missing information, a disputed charge, available funding or eligibility. Do not resend the same invoice under a different item merely to obtain payment.

Pricing maximums apply to plan-managed funding as well as NDIA-managed funding. Choosing an unregistered provider does not remove that limit. Check current pricing arrangements.

What families and support coordinators should help resolve

Help the participant compare the practical differences between providers: availability, continuity, communication, total cost and how concerns are handled. A support coordinator can help organise these questions, while keeping the participant’s preferences central.

If an unfamiliar provider needs help with the invoice process, agree that process without sharing unnecessary personal information. Keep a copy of the quote and agreed support. Make sure the participant knows whom to contact if the worker does not arrive, the invoice differs from the quote or they want to stop using the service.

Unregistered does not mean outside the Code of Conduct

The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to both registered and unregistered providers and workers. It covers safe, competent and ethical support, privacy and action on concerns. You can report a concern about an unregistered provider to the Commission. Read the Code and complaint pathway.

For providers, unregistered status is not a shortcut around responsibilities. Define the services you can deliver safely, explain your fees and complaints process, and check the registration requirements before expanding into a new type of support.

Questions readers ask

How do unregistered NDIS providers get paid?

Agree the process before booking. For plan-managed supports, confirm the plan manager’s invoice requirements. For self-management, agree the participant’s payment process. Unregistered status does not itself require everyone to pay first. Official guidance

Can I use an unregistered provider for every support?

No. Your management arrangement and the particular service’s registration requirements both matter. SIL and defined digital platforms also have specific transition rules. Official guidance

Do unregistered providers have to follow the NDIS Code of Conduct?

Yes. It applies to unregistered providers and workers as well as registered providers. You can raise a concern with the Commission. Official guidance

What should I check if a SIL provider is still awaiting registration?

Ask which transition applies and whether its application was lodged within the applicable deadline. Eligible existing providers have decision-dependent transitions; the rules do not give every provider ongoing permission to deliver SIL. Official guidance

Does an unregistered provider need a portal login to receive a plan-managed invoice payment?

The practical first step is to agree invoicing with the participant and their plan manager. Do not assume the provider must lodge a direct NDIA claim merely because the invoice is NDIS-funded. Official guidance

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