Audio Coursesby JellypodLesson 09 of 17
Overview
Will, EnableUs Community: Hey everyone, welcome back to Getting Registered. I’m Will, and I’m here with Winter. Today, we’re diving into the real costs of NDIS registration in 2025. And, honestly, it’s not just a single number you can Google, is it Winter?
Winter, EnableUs Community: No, not at all. There are so many moving parts—audits, documentation, insurance, even just getting set up on the NDIS portal. It’s a bit of a maze, especially if you’re new to the process.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and I remember the first time I saw an audit quote. I thought, “Oh, it can’t be that bad, right?” Then I opened the email and—bam—sticker shock. I think it was, like, over three grand for a certification audit. I had to double-check if they’d added an extra zero by mistake.
Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s actually pretty common. So, just to break it down for everyone: there are two main types of audits. If you’re registering for low-risk supports, like domestic assistance, you’ll probably just need a verification audit. That’s usually around $700 to $800, sometimes a bit more. It’s mostly desktop-based, so no one’s coming out to your site.
Will, EnableUs Community: But if you’re offering higher-risk supports—think personal care, therapy, support coordination—you’re looking at a certification audit. That’s where the big numbers come in. It can be anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on your size, how many staff you’ve got, and how many locations you’re running. And, yeah, they actually come out and do interviews, check your documents, the whole lot.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And that’s just the audit. You’ve also got to factor in the cost of getting your documentation in order—policies, procedures, all that compliance stuff. Some people write their own, which is free if you’ve got the time and know-how. But if you buy them from a consultant, it can be anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more.
Will, EnableUs Community: And don’t forget insurance. You need public liability, professional indemnity, and sometimes workers’ comp or personal accident insurance. That’s, what, $300 to $600 a year for each policy, give or take?
Winter, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and even though PRODA and the NDIS portal are technically free to access, the time it takes to get set up and learn the system is a cost in itself. I mean, I’ve seen people spend days just figuring out the portal. It’s not exactly plug-and-play.
Will, EnableUs Community: So, let’s talk about the startup costs in a bit more detail. There’s the DIY route—writing your own policies, using free templates, that sort of thing. That can keep your costs close to zero, but it’s a big time investment. Or you can buy ready-made policies, which, like we said, can run you up to three grand or more.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And then there’s insurance, which you can’t skip. Public liability and professional indemnity are both must-haves, and if you’re a sole trader, you might need personal accident insurance instead of workers’ comp. The prices vary by state, but you’re looking at a few hundred dollars a year for each policy.
Will, EnableUs Community: Staff screening checks are another one. They’re mandatory, and the cost is usually $80 to $130 per person, depending on where you are. If you’ve got a team, that adds up fast.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And don’t forget training. First aid and CPR are often required for certain roles, and that’s another $150 to $300 per person. I’ve seen small providers get caught out by this—they budget for the big stuff, like audits, but then the cost of staff checks and training sneaks up on them. If you’re a small provider, it’s worth planning for these from the start, even if you’re only bringing on one or two people.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and it’s not just about getting registered. Once you’re up and running, you’ve got ongoing costs—insurance renewals, regular staff training, compliance checks, and then recertification audits every three to five years. Those can be just as expensive as the initial audit, depending on your setup.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Exactly. And if you outsource your policy updates or compliance checks, that’s another recurring cost. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s crucial for staying compliant and avoiding nasty surprises down the track.
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, so let’s get into the good stuff—how to actually save money on all this. First tip: start small. Only register for the service groups you really need at the beginning. You can always add more later once you’re established.
Winter, EnableUs Community: And use free tools wherever you can. Google Drive, Canva—there’s a heap of platforms out there that don’t cost a cent but still help you look professional and stay organised. No need to splash out on fancy software right away.
Will, EnableUs Community: Yeah, and always get multiple quotes. Whether it’s for your audit, insurance, or even help with your documentation, don’t just go with the first price you see. I know a local provider who did exactly that—she shopped around, did a lot of the compliance work herself, and only paid for the essentials. She managed to get registered for way less than most people expect. I think her total startup spend was under two grand, which is kind of wild.
Winter, EnableUs Community: That’s impressive. And it really shows the value of doing things yourself where you can, but also knowing when to invest in the critical stuff—like proper training and clear documentation. It’s about prioritising your spending, not just cutting corners.
Will, EnableUs Community: And honestly, the biggest thing is planning ahead. Track your costs from day one, even if it’s just in a spreadsheet. It’ll help you avoid surprises and keep your business sustainable. Plus, it makes compliance way less stressful when you know what’s coming up.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Absolutely. Registering as an NDIS provider is a big investment, but with the right strategies, it’s totally manageable. And if you start tracking your costs early, you’ll be in a much better position to grow and stay compliant.
Will, EnableUs Community: Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode. If you’re gearing up for registration, hopefully this gives you a clearer picture of what to expect—and how to keep your budget in check. We’ll be back soon with more tips and real stories from the EnableUs community.
Winter, EnableUs Community: Thanks for joining us! If you’ve got questions or want to share your own cost-saving tips, reach out to us. See you next time, Will.
Will, EnableUs Community: See you, Winter. And see you all next episode!
