How to invoice the NDIS as a sole trader (no registration needed)
By Mick Lutton · Updated
You invoice the plan manager or the participant, not the NDIS itself. You can do that as a sole trader without
registering, as long as the participant plan-manages or self-manages their funding. Add your ABN, agree your rates in writing, then send one invoice per participant with a
line for each support. NDIA-managed participants and supported independent living need a registered provider.
Do you need to be registered with the NDIS Commission?
Not for plan-managed or self-managed participants. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which registers
providers, says only participants who self-manage or plan-manage can choose an unregistered provider.
Whether an unregistered provider can work with each type of NDIS funding management
Funding managed by
Unregistered provider?
Price limits apply?
A plan manager
Yes
Yes
The participant (self-managed)
Yes
No. You and the participant negotiate the rate, and it still has to be a support in their plan
The NDIA
No, registration required
Yes
The price limits are the maximums in the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27, effective 24/09/2026. They are the same
limits that applied from 1 July 2026. For plan-managed and NDIA-managed funding, providers can't charge more than
them (NDIA: pricing arrangements).
Self-managed participants can negotiate the price with you, and have to spend their funding in line with their plan
(NDIA: how to self-manage).
Current caps for every code are in the line item directory, and the
2026-27 rates guide covers what changed.
What you can't do without registration
Some supports need registration however the funding is managed: supported independent living (SIL), specialist behaviour support,
specialist disability accommodation and plan management. The same goes for anything involving regulated restrictive
practices (NDIS Commission: about registration).
If you deliver supports under another provider's registration, that provider claims the payment, not you.
What do you need before the first invoice?
You need an ABN to go on every invoice, a participant whose plan is plan-managed or self-managed, and the details of
who you invoice.
Who gets the invoice. For a plan-managed participant, ask for the plan manager's business name
and accounts email. For a self-managed participant, it goes to them or their nominee (the person they've appointed to act for them).
Your rates in writing. Agree them with the participant in a service agreement, at or under the
price limit for plan-managed funding, along with your cancellation terms.
The Code of Conduct. It applies to everyone delivering NDIS supports, registered or not. Worker screening isn't
legally required for unregistered providers, but the NDIS Commission recommends it. Participants can require it, so
some will ask.
Working with children. If you support anyone under 18, you'll generally need your state's working
with children card as well, whoever manages the plan. NSW, Queensland (the blue card), WA, SA and the NT all
require one for this work. The outliers: in Tasmania and the ACT, all NDIS work needs a Working with Vulnerable
People registration, whether the participant is an adult or a child. Victoria's list of work that needs a Check
doesn't name disability support, so confirm with Working with Children Check Victoria before you start.
Pick the line item code (the number for each type of support) and its rate, at or under the cap
(line item directory, 2026-27 rates).
Build the invoice with the required fields, including your ABN, the participant's name and NDIS number, the date of each
support, and the code, hours, rate and total for each line
(NDIS invoice requirements).
The free NDIS invoice template produces a PDF with every field
above, using current 2026-27 v1.0 line items. It runs in your browser - nothing is uploaded or stored, no
signup.
No. As an unregistered sole trader you invoice the participant’s plan manager, or the participant if they self-manage. Only registered providers can work with NDIA-managed funding.
Does the NDIS Code of Conduct apply to me if I am unregistered?
Yes. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission says the Code of Conduct applies to unregistered providers, their key personnel and their workers.
Do I need an NDIS worker screening clearance to work as an unregistered sole trader?
Unregistered providers are not legally required to have workers screened, however the NDIS Commission recommends it. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can decide whether their workers must have a clearance, so some will ask.
What if I am not sure how a participant’s plan is managed?
Work it out with the participant or their nominee before the first shift, and again if the plan changes. The invoice goes to a different place for each type.
Invoicing several participants?
Set each client as plan-managed or self-managed once, with who receives their invoices, and Crestyn emails every invoice to the right inbox. No card to start: 30 days free, then $14 a month.
NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27, effective (catalogue 2026-27 v1.0). Usually checked
every night - last checked . General
information, not advice. Verify against the official pricing schedule before invoicing.
Source: NDIS pricing arrangements.
