How to submit your registration application to the NDIS Commission

Where to apply

Applications lodge through the NDIS Commission's online provider portal. The Commission's Becoming a Provider hub is the canonical starting point - it has the live link to the application portal plus the latest fee schedule (these change).

NDIS Commission - Becoming a Provider hub ↗

What you need before you start

• ABN for your business entity (sole trader, Pty Ltd, partnership). The Commission won't accept applications without one.
• Key-personnel details - directors, owners, anyone with significant control. Each needs a Suitability Declaration covering criminal history, bankruptcy, and disqualification status.
• Chosen registration groups. Pick only what you genuinely deliver - adding groups increases audit scope and cost. The portal lists ~30 groups (e.g. 0107 daily activities, 0115 SIL, 0125 SDA, 0136 group/centre activities).
• Audit-tier knowledge. The portal will tell you which audit tier (verification or certification) applies based on your selected groups. SIL, SDA, and behaviour-support groups are always certification (Tier 1).
• Application fee. A$300-450 for most small providers, paid in-portal at submission. Fees vary by tier and group count.

What happens after you submit

1. Commission review (1-3 weeks). They check your ABN, key-personnel declarations, and group selections for completeness.
2. Audit window assigned (usually 1-3 months out).You get a deadline by which your audit must be completed. This is when you engage your approved quality auditor and book your audit dates.
3. Audit completion (4-8 weeks). Stage 1 desk audit, then Stage 2 site visit (certification only). Your auditor lodges their report with the Commission.
4. Registration decision. Approval, conditional approval (with corrective actions), or rejection. Approved registrations are valid 3 years and listed on the public provider register.

Common reasons applications get held up

• ABN doesn't match the legal-entity name on key-personnel declarations.
• Adding registration groups you don't actually deliver (the auditor will flag scope mismatch and the Commission won't register them).
• Key personnel haven't completed their Suitability Declarations.
• Application fee not paid (sounds obvious; happens regularly).

How Checkbase helps

Once your application is in and your audit window is set, Checkbase tracks every artefact the auditor will ask for - worker screening, service agreements, insurance, governance policies, the lot. The Tier 1 Evidence Pack PDF gives your auditor everything they need in one organised bundle.