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Becoming a Sole Trader or Small Business in the NDIS Space: A 2025 Guide
The NDIS has transformed disability support in Australia and created strong demand for flexible, person-centred services. If you’re starting out—or formalising your work—this guide covers the key decisions, setup steps and timelines.
1) Register or Operate Unregistered?
Registered providers can support all participants (including NDIA-managed) but must complete application and audits, and appear on official registers. Unregistered providers can support self-managed and plan-managed participants, start faster and avoid audits—often ideal for sole traders getting underway quickly.
2) Set Up Your Business
- ABN, business name and account
- Public liability & professional indemnity insurance
- Basic compliance with consumer and workplace laws
3) Make Sure You’re Qualified
- Relevant training (e.g., Cert III in Individual Support)
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- First Aid; Working With Children Check if applicable
4) Know the Costs
- Registered: application & audits ($1k–$10k), insurance (~$1k+), documentation & training
- Unregistered: insurance ($500–$2k), screening/training, marketing/listings
Low-fee platforms like Solotude help you gain visibility without commissions.
5) Find Clients
- Clear website and service descriptions
- SEO terms (e.g., “NDIS providers Sydney”) and service areas
- Join purpose-built directories (e.g., Solotude) and network with coordinators/plan managers
6) Pricing & Payments
Follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements caps and set sustainable rates within them. Accept payments from self-/plan-managed clients (and NDIA if registered). Use simple invoicing tools or the provider portal for registered providers.
7) Stay Compliant & Professional
- Registered: policies, audits, portal upkeep
- Unregistered: current insurances/qualifications, secure information handling, ethical practice
How Long Does Registration Take?
- Application: 1–2 weeks
- Audit: 6–12 weeks
- Final approval: 2–4 weeks
Total: ~2–4 months. Operating unregistered can start in weeks.
Registered vs Unregistered (At a Glance)
| Feature | Registered | Unregistered |
|---|---|---|
| NDIA-managed access | Yes | No |
| Audit required | Yes | No |
| Official lists/portal | Yes | Limited/No |
| Start-up costs | Higher | Lower |
| Flexibility | Moderate | High |
Why Platforms Like Solotude Matter
Flat fees, no commissions, and profiles designed for independent providers help you stand out and grow sustainably.
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Whether you're a participant looking for support or an NDIS worker looking to grow your business, we invite you to join the Solotude community.
Our Vision for the Future.
As we continue to grow, our vision is to become the go-to platform for independents and small providers within the NDIS and beyond. We aim to expand our community, continually improve our platform, and introduce new features that make the process of finding and managing care even more seamless. Our ultimate goal is to redefine how care is delivered and received, creating a system that is truly participant-centered and NDIS worker-friendly.