Can a plan manager pay unregistered NDIS providers?

Who this is for: NDIS participants and families who use (or want to use) an unregistered provider, and support coordinators helping them choose providers.

General information only. This isn't legal or financial advice.

What's the difference between a registered and an unregistered provider?

• Registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission?

  Registered provider:

  Yes

  Unregistered provider:

  No

• Extra conditions

  Registered provider:

  Must meet strict conditions for the quality and safety of their services

  Unregistered provider:

  Not registered with or regulated by the NDIS Commission

• NDIS Code of Conduct

  Registered provider:

  Must follow it

  Unregistered provider:

  Must follow it

The NDIA says unregistered providers are often small, local operators that also provide non-disability services.

Can a plan manager pay an unregistered provider?

Its plan management pages

Yes. On its plan management pages the NDIA says: "You can choose providers who are registered or unregistered."

Not sure which applies to your plan? Your plan says which budgets are plan-managed. Those sections say "This funding is plan managed".

How your funding is managed changes who you can use. The table below shows how the three ways of managing funding compare.

How do plan-managed, self-managed and NDIA-managed funding compare?

• Plan-managed

  Who pays your providers:

  Your plan manager, from your plan

  Can you use unregistered providers?

  Yes, for most supports*

  Who keeps the records:

  Your plan manager

• Self-managed

  Who pays your providers:

  You, your nominee or child representative

  Can you use unregistered providers?

  Yes, for most supports*

  Who keeps the records:

  You, your nominee or child representative

• NDIA-managed

  Who pays your providers:

  The NDIA, directly

  Can you use unregistered providers?

  No. Your providers must be registered

  Who keeps the records:

  The NDIA

A registered provider

*However your funding is managed, some supports need a registered provider, including supported independent living (SIL), specialist disability accommodation (SDA) and behaviour support.

You can mix types in one plan. For example, the NDIA says your core supports could be self-managed while your capital supports are NDIA-managed. However your funding is managed, you're still responsible for making sure the supports you pay for are in line with your plan.

The NDIA also says that from July 2027 it will expand mandatory registration requirements for some providers. This will affect providers who deliver personal care and daily living supports, and supports provided in closed settings.

Which supports must use a registered provider?

The NDIA says you must use registered providers for:

• NDIA-managed supports
• plan-manager services (your plan manager must be registered)
• regulated services like behaviour support and specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• supported independent living (SIL).

For other supports, you can choose either registered or unregistered providers if your funding is self-managed or you use a registered plan manager.

Do NDIS price limits apply to unregistered providers?

If the funding is plan-managed, yes. Whether the limits apply depends on how the funding is managed. Under the current Pricing Schedule, the limit for each item is the same whether or not the provider is registered.

• The NDIS Act says the Minister's price limits apply where funding is managed by a registered plan management provider or the NDIA.
• The NDIA says the maximum prices "only apply to NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants", and it can't pay a claim for more than the maximum price.
• Self-managed funding is different: the NDIA says self-managers can negotiate costs above or below the price limits.

So a plan manager can't pay more than the price limit from your plan, even if the provider is unregistered. You can still negotiate a lower price with your providers.

Example (NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27, effective 24 September 2026, national maximums per hour):

• Support item:

  Occupational therapist: direct service

  National maximum:

  $193.99

• Support item:

  Speech pathologist: direct service

  National maximum:

  $193.99

• Support item:

  Physiotherapist: direct service

  National maximum:

  $183.99

• Support item:

  Psychologist: direct service

  National maximum:

  $252.99

Remote and very remote areas have higher limits. Our NDIS pricing arrangements explainer covers how the limits work.

What else does an unregistered provider's invoice need?

The same as for a registered provider. The NDIA says a plan manager helps make sure each claim is in line with your plan, your budget and NDIS supports, and that your plan manager gets your approval before submitting claims.

• See what a valid invoice needs: NDIS invoice requirements
• Check one now: NDIS invoice checker

You're still responsible for choosing your providers and authorising claims, the NDIA says, even with a plan manager.

Could this change?

Possibly, but nothing has been decided as at 22 October 2026.

• Since the 2026 law changes, the NDIS Act lets price limits differ depending on whether providers are registered NDIS providers.
• The NDIA's Annual Pricing Review for 2026–27 recommended a 10% lower price for social, community and civic participation supports delivered by unregistered providers, from 1 January 2027.
• On 24 September 2026 the Government said it was consulting on this "differentiated pricing". The current Pricing Schedule (effective 24 September 2026) doesn't set different prices for registered and unregistered providers.

We'll update this page if a decision is announced. Keep an eye on our NDIS changes hub.

Ready to set up plan management?

How Forward Planning Plus can help

Forward Planning Plus is a registered NDIS plan manager (NDIA registration 4050161030) with a Queensland-based team. Plan management is at no cost to you. Read more about how plan management works.

• Valid, correctly submitted invoices processed within 1–2 business days.
• Our portal sends low-funding alerts.
• We work alongside your support coordinator.
• We call back within 24 hours on business days. Call 0405 589 006, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm AEST.

Related reading:

• Plan-managed, self-managed or NDIA-managed: a side-by-side guide
• What does an NDIS plan manager do?
• Invoices, payments and reimbursements
• NDIS glossary

The NDIS lets you change plan managers during a plan, and we help with a smooth handover. Our service agreement asks for 14 days' notice if you leave.