Choosing an NDIS Approved Quality Auditor
How to choose an NDIS approved quality auditor: what they do, certification vs verification, costs, timing and the questions to ask before you engage one.
What an NDIS approved quality auditor actually does
Do you need certification or verification?
Where to find approved auditors
What to compare when choosing
How much an audit costs
How the audit runs, step by step
SIL providers and the new 0138 module
Timing your audit against the 2026-2030 registration wave
How to prepare so the audit goes cleanly
Mistakes providers make with auditors
Your next step
Frequently asked questions
Is an NDIS approved quality auditor the same as the NDIS Commission?
No. The auditor is an independent third-party body you hire and pay to assess you against the NDIS Practice Standards. It submits a conformity report, but the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission makes the actual registration decision. The auditor must be on the Commission's register of approved quality auditors and accredited by JAS-ANZ.
How do I choose which approved quality auditor to use?
Start from the Commission's published register at ndiscommission.gov.au, shortlist auditors that cover your registration groups and region, and request written quotes from several. Compare on full-cycle cost, scope match, sector experience and turnaround, not just the headline price. Get inclusions and exclusions in writing, especially travel and any mid-term surveillance audit.
How much does an NDIS audit cost?
There is no fixed fee — each auditor prices commercially and cost scales with the pathway, your registration groups, sites and staff. Verification audits are cheaper than certification audits, which are on-site and multi-stage. Figures vary widely, so treat any quoted number as indicative and get current written quotes from auditors on the register.
Do I need certification or verification?
It depends on the supports you deliver. Lower-risk supports usually require a desktop verification audit; higher-risk supports such as supported independent living, personal care and complex behaviour support require certification, which includes an on-site Stage 2 audit. Confirm your registration groups first, because they determine the pathway and the price.
When should I book my audit if registration is becoming mandatory for me?
Book early. Mandatory registration is expanding from 2027 to 2030 with a target of around 90% of providers registered, so auditor demand and lead times will rise as deadlines approach. Booking ahead gives you room to close any non-conformities before your ability to deliver is affected. Confirm which supports and dates apply to you against health.gov.au and ndiscommission.gov.au.