An NDIS certificate is the certificate of registration the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission issues when you become a registered provider. To get one, apply in the NDIS Commission Portal, complete your self-assessment, pass a verification or certification audit with an approved quality auditor and satisfy the Commission's suitability assessment. There is no application fee, and registration generally lasts three years.
Key takeaways
- Your certificate of registration lists your registration groups, registration period and any conditions.
- From 12 October 2026, new applications are made in the new NDIS Commission Portal using myID.
- Every key person needs an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, or an application in progress, before you can apply.
- In April to June 2026, the Commission's median decision time after the audit recommendation was 45 to 76 days.
- Registration generally lasts three years, and you can start renewing up to six months before it expires.
When people search for how to get an NDIS certificate, they usually mean the certificate of registration that lets them operate as a registered NDIS provider. This guide covers exactly how to get one in 2026, how long each stage takes, and what you need to do to keep it.
Looking for a worker certificate instead? If you are a support worker, the certificate you probably need is your NDIS Worker Orientation Module certificate or your NDIS Worker Screening clearance. Our guide on how to become an NDIS support worker covers both.
What is an NDIS certificate of registration?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission issues a certificate of registration to every provider it approves. The certificate sets out:
- the registration groups (classes of supports) you are approved to deliver
- your registration period
- any conditions of registration
Once registered, you appear on the NDIS Provider Register, which participants, families and plan managers use to check providers. Note that a certification audit is one of the two audit types, while the certificate of registration is what both verification and certification providers receive when approved.
What you need before you apply
- an ABN for your business
- a myID digital identity to log in to the NDIS Commission Portal
- a clear list of the supports and registration groups you will deliver
- details of all key personnel, each with an NDIS Worker Screening ID
- policies and procedures ready, because you will complete a self-assessment against the Practice Standards
- insurance, and any qualifications or professional memberships your supports require
If you are still deciding what kind of provider to be, start with our guide on how to become an NDIS provider.
How to get your NDIS certificate in 8 steps
- Start your application in the NDIS Commission PortalSince 12 October 2026, new applications start in the new portal. In Part 1 your ABN is verified, you choose your supports and you add your key personnel.
- Complete your self-assessment and suitability questionsPart 2 asks you to assess your organisation against the applicable Practice Standards and answer suitability questions. You must finish within 60 days of starting, or the draft is deleted.
- Receive your initial scope of auditAfter you submit, you are emailed your initial scope of audit. It confirms whether you need a verification or certification audit, your registration groups and the standards that apply.
- Choose an approved quality auditorGet free quotes from approved quality auditors, select your chosen auditor in the portal, and wait for them to accept. See how much an NDIS audit costs before you compare quotes.
- Complete your auditVerification is a desktop review. Certification has a desktop Stage 1 and an onsite Stage 2, which should happen within three months of Stage 1. Our guide to getting ready for certification or verification walks through preparation.
- Fix any nonconformitiesThe auditor may ask you to address findings. Major nonconformities must be fixed within three months before your registration can progress.
- The Commission makes its decisionThe auditor submits a recommendation. The Commission then assesses the suitability of your organisation and key personnel and may ask for more information.
- Receive your certificate of registrationIf approved, you receive your certificate and are listed on the NDIS Provider Register.
How long does it take to get an NDIS certificate?
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Completing your application (Parts 1 and 2) | Up to 60 days allowed |
| Getting quotes and booking an auditor | Usually a few weeks, depending on auditor availability |
| Verification audit report | Within 14 days of the audit |
| Certification Stage 2 | Within three months of Stage 1 |
| Certification audit report | Within 28 days of the audit |
| Commission decision after the audit recommendation | Median of 45 to 76 days (April to June 2026) |
Overall, most prepared providers receive their certificate in roughly three to six months. The longest delays usually come from documents that are not ready when the auditor asks for them.
How much does an NDIS certificate cost?
The Commission charges nothing to register. The main cost is your audit: typically $900 to $1,800 for verification and $3,000 to $15,000 or more for certification, plus insurance, worker screening and documentation. Our NDIS audit cost guide has the full breakdown.
Why applications are delayed or refused
- Missing worker screening for key personnel.
- Documents that do not match practice. Auditors test what you actually do.
- Copied content. The Commission warns that near-identical content across providers may lead to refusal, or to a condition requiring a new certification audit and self-assessment.
- Unresolved major nonconformities after the three-month window.
- Suitability concerns about the organisation or key personnel.
- False or misleading information, which can attract civil penalties and criminal charges.
If your application is refused, you can ask for an internal review within three months, and then apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Keeping your certificate: mid-term audits and renewal
Holding a certificate comes with ongoing obligations:
- Mid-term audit (certification only). Start preparing at 12 months. The final report is due within 18 months of your registration date and covers governance and operational management plus any standard that had a corrective action plan.
- Notifying changes. From 1 July 2026, the rules on notifying the Commission of changes, including changes of ownership, are stricter and earlier. Check your obligations before any change in structure.
- Renewal. You can apply to renew up to six months before your registration expires. If you apply in time, your registration stays in force until the Commission decides. If it lapses, you must apply again from scratch.
- Adding supports. To deliver new registration groups, apply for a variation, which may need a further audit.
Have your documents ready before the auditor asks. Get 60+ editable Core Module policies and procedures today.
See what's in the packFrequently asked questions
Is there a fee to get an NDIS certificate of registration?
No. The NDIS Commission does not charge a registration fee. You pay an approved quality auditor for your audit, plus your own costs such as insurance and worker screening.
How long is an NDIS certificate of registration valid?
Registration is generally granted for three years. You can apply to renew up to six months before it expires.
What is the difference between NDIS certification and an NDIS certificate?
Certification is one of the two audit types, used for higher-risk or more complex supports. A certificate of registration is the document every approved provider receives, whether they passed a verification or certification audit.
Can I provide NDIS services before I get my certificate?
You can work as an unregistered provider with self-managed and plan-managed participants, except for supports that must be registered, such as specialist behaviour support, SDA, plan management and SIL. New SIL providers cannot start until they are registered.
How do I check if a provider is registered?
Search the NDIS Provider Register on the NDIS Commission website. It shows whether a provider is registered and which supports they are registered to deliver.
What can I do if my registration application is refused?
You can request an internal review by the Commission within three months of the decision. If you disagree with the outcome, you can then apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Further reading on the blog
Sources and official resources
- NDIS Commission: Apply for registration
- NDIS Commission: How to register in the new Commission Portal
- NDIS Commission: Types of audits
- NDIS Commission: About registration
- NDIS Commission: Renewing your registration
- NDIS Commission: Quarterly Performance Report Q4 2025-26
Information is general in nature and current as at 12 October 2026. NDIS rules change, so always confirm requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission before you act.