Working with providers
Choosing a Provider
The right provider understands your needs, respects your choices and can deliver safely and reliably.
You have choices
You can compare providers and choose who you want to work with.
Check they are suitable
Ask about experience, workers, availability, communication and safeguards.
Understand the arrangement
Agree the service, price and responsibilities before supports begin.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
Registered and unregistered
A registered provider is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and must meet the requirements applying to their registration. An unregistered provider has not registered. Both registered and unregistered providers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct.
You must use a registered provider for NDIA managed supports, plan management services, specialist behaviour support and Specialist Disability Accommodation. If your funding is self managed or plan managed, you can usually use either registered or unregistered providers for other supports.
Registration is not the same as suitability
Being registered does not automatically make a provider right for you. Registration is one factor to consider alongside experience, capability, communication, safeguards and whether the provider is a good fit for your needs.
Start with your needs
Before contacting anyone, think about what support you need, your goals, when and where you need it, your preferred worker characteristics, your communication and cultural needs, any health or safety requirements, how often you need support, and how your funding is managed.
Research them
- Search the NDIS Provider Finder
- Visit provider websites
- Read independent reviews — but not only reviews
- Ask people you trust for recommendations
- Ask your Support Coordinator or my NDIS contact
- Speak with more than one provider
- Ask for references or examples
Meet before you decide
Consider whether they listen, communicate clearly, respect your choices, answer questions openly, explain prices, understand your needs, involve you in decisions, avoid unrealistic promises, give you time to decide, and provide information in an accessible format.
You do not have to agree immediately. Ask for information in writing and discuss it with someone you trust.
Check for conflicts of interest
Ask whether they recommend services they also deliver, receive money or benefit from referrals, are connected with another provider, will tell you about other options, and how any conflict is recorded and managed. You should never be pressured toward a particular service.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
Before SCL begins regular supports, we will:
- Discuss your needs and goals
- Explain the services we can provide
- Consider honestly whether we can safely meet your needs
- Explain our prices and charges
- Discuss your preferred schedule and worker matching
- Provide a Service Agreement where applicable
- Explain how to make changes or complaints
- Give you time to ask questions
Choosing SCL is your decision. Compare us with other providers before deciding — we would rather you were sure.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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