The provider you choose becomes part of your everyday life. They'll be there at home, out in your community, and in the goals you're working towards. That's a lot of trust to place in an organisation you may have only just found. This guide covers what to check, what to ask, and what to watch out for before you sign.

Registered or unregistered: what's the difference?

	Registered	Unregistered
Independently audited against the NDIS Practice Standards	Yes	No
Regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission	Yes	No
Prices capped at the NDIS price limits	Yes	No, can charge above
Can support plans managed by the NDIS	Yes	No, plan-managed or self-managed only

What's changed in 2026: since 1 July 2026, every provider of Supported Independent Living (24/7 support in a shared home) must be registered. From 1 July 2027, registration will be mandatory for all higher-risk supports. Check any provider on the NDIS Provider Register .

Signs of a quality provider

• Registration for your supports: check they're approved for the types of support you need
• Audit results: when they were last audited and the outcome
• A proven track record: how long they've been providing support, and references from people they support
• Worker screening and training: NDIS Worker Screening Checks, qualifications and ongoing training
• Consistent workers: you see the same faces each week
• Clear, written prices: set out before you sign, within the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, with no extra costs you have to cover yourself
• A clear complaints process, and evidence they act on feedback

Questions to ask a provider

• Are you registered with the NDIS Commission?
• For which supports? When was your last audit, and what was the result?
• How long have you been providing disability support?
• Who covers my support if my regular worker is sick or on leave?
• Are there any costs outside my NDIS funding?
• How do I make a complaint, and what happens next?

Things to watch out for

• Being rushed to sign, or pushed into a long contract
• Prices that aren't clear or in writing No proof of registration, audit results or worker screening
• Gifts or incentives for signing up
• Requests for your myGov or NDIS login details, or to manage your plan for you
• No way to give feedback or make a complaint
• You can change providers at any time. Check the notice period in your service agreement.

Getting started with Rise

Rise is a Perth not-for-profit and registered NDIS provider, supporting people since 1983. We're independently audited against the NDIS Practice Standards. Our latest NDIS certification audit found full compliance, with a best practice rating for governance and operational management. Call 08 6274 3700 or email contact@risenetwork.com.au to talk about your goals, our service areas and current availability.