Working with NDIS participants: funding, registration and invoices

How to work with an NDIS participant

By Aviva · Originally published 15 July 2020

People discussing documents around a table

Before a provider agrees to start work

Confirm the support the participant wants, the relevant funding arrangement and who will receive the invoice. Check whether registration is required for that support. Agree the price, visit schedule and any extra charges before the first service.

Ask what information is needed for payment and how it will be shared securely. Do not request a participant’s entire plan simply because it is convenient for your administration. Keep the agreement and invoice aligned with the support delivered. The Code of Conduct covers privacy and honest conduct.

Original article and dated context

Aviva is a social worker and PhD student with a background in research, mental health, community development, and project management. She's also a Disability Service Advisor at Clickability, matching participants and providers.

Maybe you’ve heard of the NDIS… the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It’s a bit like Medicare, but for disability instead of health.

[Clickability update, September 2026: This is a simplified analogy. NDIS access and funding have their own criteria, and supports must meet the relevant NDIS requirements. See the NDIA funding guidance.]

Very simply, it ensures Australians who have a permanent disability get the resources and support they need as a result of their disability.

For example, if Jane has a garden, but can’t mow the lawn because of her disability, she might be able to use NDIS funding to get some help mowing the lawn.

If you’re a gardener, you could probably help Jane!

Working with NDIS Participants

There are three different ways NDIS participants like Jane can pay providers like you. Which way they do it depends on how their NDIS funding is “managed” – in other words, who pays the bills.

Firstly, Jane’s funding might be managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency. In this case, you would need to register your business with the NDIA in order to work with Jane. That takes some time and a fair few forms (it’s the government, after all!).

[Clickability update, September 2026: Provider registration is handled by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Some supports require registration even when a participant is plan-managed or self-managed. Check the current requirements.]

It also means you need to charge the rates the NDIS tells you to charge (you can check them here in the NDIS Price Guide).

[Clickability update, September 2026: Current pricing schedules set maximum prices for NDIA-managed and plan-managed supports. A maximum is not a requirement to charge that amount. Use the current NDIA pricing page.]

Secondly, Jane’s funding might be managed by Jane herself or someone in Jane’s family (a “nominee”). If this is the case, you can just invoice Jane, and she’ll pay you directly. This is called “self-managed” NDIS funding.

Thirdly, Jane might have a “plan manager” to manage her funding. A plan manager is a bit like a bookkeeper for the NDIS (here’s some more info about plan managers). If Jane has a plan manager, you do the work for Jane and send the invoice to the plan manager. You’ll need to list Jane’s name, NDIS number, and the “code” that the NDIS associates with the services you provided. Jane will be able to help you out with this too. We have a blog post on invoicing for the NDIS to get you started.

Next steps

About 61% of NDIS participants have their plans managed by the NDIA, about 11% self-manage, and about 28% have plan managers. That means, even if you’re not NDIS registered, you can work with 39% of NDIS participants. (That’s about 240,000 Australians!).

[Clickability update, September 2026: These management percentages and participant numbers are historical. They should not be used to estimate today’s addressable market or the supports an unregistered provider may deliver.]

If you’re interested in starting to work in this fabulous community, get in touch for a listing on Clickability or to find out more about how it all works.

Clickability editorial update: September 2026

What participants should explain before the first booking

Tell the provider which funding arrangement applies to the support and who will pay their invoice. Ask them to explain proposed charges and how you can query a bill. You can seek help understanding the agreement while keeping your own preferences central.

If the example in this article resembles your needs, discuss the actual task with NDIS gardening services. Check eligibility and available funding before booking, rather than relying on the example alone.

Questions readers ask

Who registers NDIS providers?

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission handles provider registration. Check its current requirements for the support and funding arrangement involved. Official guidance

Does a price limit mean a provider must charge the maximum?

No. The current schedules set maximum prices for NDIA-managed and plan-managed supports, rather than a mandatory price for every booking. Official guidance

Find the provider you need for your plan

Start a Clickability service request with your support needs and location. Explore the provider directory alongside your funding and service requirements.

Find an NDIS service provider · Browse the provider directory