What NDIS Mandatory Registration Means for You
NDIS mandatory registration, explained: who must register from 2026, what it means for your choice and control, and the questions to ask your providers.
You may have seen headlines about the NDIS moving towards mandatory registration for providers, and wondered what it means for the workers and services you already rely on. The short version is that change is coming in stages, it starts with a few specific types of provider, and the Government has promised it will protect your choice and control. This guide walks through what is actually…
What 'registration' actually means
Why the rules are changing
Who has to register first
If you are self-managed or plan-managed
If you are agency-managed or use SIL
What good registration should mean for you
Questions worth asking your providers now
Where this sits in the bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
Is NDIS registration mandatory for all providers now?
No. From 1 July 2026 it becomes mandatory only for Supported Independent Living providers and online platform providers. Broader mandatory registration for other provider types is being phased in over coming years, but exact timing and tiers are still being consulted on and finalised.
Can I still use unregistered support workers?
For now, yes — if you self-manage or use a plan manager, you can still choose unregistered workers for most supports. The rules are tightening in stages over time, so it is worth keeping records of who you use and asking providers about their registration plans.
Will mandatory registration reduce my choice and control?
The Government has said these changes must not reduce the choice and control of people with disability. The intent is a safer market with audited standards and worker screening, while preserving your right to direct your own support. Advocates are watching closely to hold that promise.
How do I check if a provider is registered?
Ask them directly, and confirm through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. On Novida you can also message providers and independent workers privately to ask about registration, worker screening and how they handle incidents before you commit.
Related guides
- NDIS Reform Tracker: Every Change and When It Starts
- The New Aged Care Act: What Families & Providers Need to Know
- The New NDIS Supports List: What's In and What's Out
- Support at Home: What Changed When It Launched (1 Nov 2025)
- The 'Getting the NDIS Back on Track' Act, in Plain English
- Foundational Supports Explained