NDIS certification & requirements

What you need to know about NDIS certification & requirements 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is set to support more than 500,000 Australians in the coming years. Becoming NDIS certified is crucial to ensure you’re providing the highest standard of care.

In December 2019, the Australian Government commissioned an independent review of the NDIS to improve the support system for people with disabilities. This review revealed various challenges, including transition confusion, delays, and transparency issues, highlighting the need for more support to help participants become informed and effective consumers. 

Who is the NDIS commission? 

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is responsible for overseeing the registration and regulation of NDIS providers, ensuring they comply with NDIS practices and the NDIS Code of Conduct. The commission manages complaints about NDIS services and supports, reportable incidents, and the use of restrictive practices, ensuring a nationally consistent approach to quality and safeguards. 

Registration with the NDIS commission 

To provide services to NDIS participants, businesses must be registered with the NDIS commission. This includes providers of disability accommodation and those who develop behaviour support plans. The registration process varies depending on your business’s size and scope as well as the risk level of the service delivery. 

Pathways to registration: 

• Verification: Suitable for providers delivering low-risk support and services. Professionals regulated by bodies like AHPRA are typically considered low-risk. 
• Certification: Required for providers who deliver high-risk or complex support and services, such as those within the High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities registration group. 

NDIS certification requirements 

To start the certification process, the NDIS commission will issue an ‘initial scope of audit’ document outlining your business’s registration requirements. This document will determine whether you need a verification or certification audit and what you need to demonstrate to comply with the NDIS practice standards. 

What NDIS auditors do

NDIS auditors assess providers against the NDIS Practice Standards to determine whether they can be verified or certified. This involves reviewing documents, processes, records, and files across areas including:

• Risk management.
• Complaint handling.
• Human resource management.
• Provider governance.
• Delivery of supports and services.

For providers offering specialised services such as early childhood support or specialist disability accommodation, auditors will also assess against the relevant NDIS modules.

Once complete, a report is submitted to the NDIS Commission, which makes the final decision on verification or certification.

Partner with a leading HR specialist in the disability sector

Citation Group works alongside disability service providers to deliver practical, people-focused HR solutions designed for the realities of the sector. We’re known for our responsiveness, clear communication, and straightforward approach, helping you build and manage a capable, compliant workforce with confidence.

If you’re in the disability sector and need HR support, get in touch with our team today.