How Many Registered NDIS Providers Are There in Australia?

When people start exploring NDIS supports, one of the first questions they ask is:
How many registered NDIS providers are there in Australia?
It’s a fair question. After all, knowing how big the system is helps families and participants understand their choices. However, the answer is not just one simple number because the NDIS market includes both registered and unregistered providers. Moreover, those numbers change every year. Therefore, the picture is always shifting. As a result, it’s important to look at more than just one figure.
So, let’s break it down in a clear and simple way. Therefore, we can understand it better, and finally make the right choice.
What Does a Registered NDIS Provider in Australia Mean?
First, it’s important to understand what “registered” actually means.
A registered NDIS provider is a business or individual that:
- Has gone through the NDIS Commission’s registration process
- Meets strict quality and safety standards
- Can deliver services to NDIA-managed participants
In contrast, unregistered providers can only work with:
- Self-managed participants
- Plan-managed participants
So, when people ask about registered providers, they usually mean providers who have been formally approved by the NDIS Commission.
How Many Registered NDIS Providers Are There in Australia?
Right now, Australia has over 20,000 registered NDIS providers, and that number continues to grow each year.
However, the exact number changes because:
- New providers register regularly
- Some providers exit the market
- Some change their registration groups
So, while you may see different figures in different reports, most recent data consistently shows the number sitting above 20,000 registered providers nationwide.
All NDIS Providers in Australia: Registered vs Unregistered
This is where things get even bigger.
In addition to registered providers, Australia has a very large number of unregistered providers who work with:
- Self-managed participants
- Plan-managed participants
When you combine:
- Registered providers
- Unregistered providers
- Sole traders, therapists, support workers, and small businesses
The total number of active NDIS providers in Australia goes well into the hundreds of thousands.
So, while around 20,000+ are officially registered, the overall NDIS support market is much larger.
Learn more about our Day Programs and how LYFIT supports routine, confidence, and community connection.
Why Australia Has So Many NDIS Providers
The NDIS supports over half a million participants across Australia. Because people have different needs, the system includes providers who deliver:
- Day Programs
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- High Intensity Care
- Community access
- Personal care
- Therapy supports
- Behaviour support
- Employment and skill-building programs
As a result, the market grows naturally to meet all these different support needs.
Does Having Many NDIS Providers in Australia Mean Better Choice?
In theory, yes more providers means more choice.
However, in real life:
- Too many options can feel confusing
- Not all providers offer the same quality
- Not every provider suits every participant
So, instead of asking:
“How many providers are there?”
A better question is:
“Which provider fits my needs best?”
What Matters More Than the Number of NDIS Providers in Australia
Whether there are 20,000 or 25,000 registered providers, what truly matters is:
- Do they understand your goals?
- Do they communicate clearly?
- Do they have trained and consistent staff?
- Do they support your independence and safety?
- Do they offer the services you actually need?
For supports like:
- Day Programs
- SIL and SDA accommodation
- High Intensity Care
Quality, structure, and reliability matter far more than how many providers exist in total.
Where LYFIT Fits Among NDIS Providers in Australia
At LYFIT, the focus is not on being one of the “many.”
Instead, the focus is on being the right fit.
LYFIT provides supports such as:
Day Programs
Programs that build routine, confidence, skills, and community connection.
SIL and SDA Accommodation
Safe and structured living environments that support independence and daily life.
High Intensity Care
Support for participants with complex needs, delivered with trained staff and clear safety processes.
And most importantly, LYFIT focuses on:
- Consistent staffing
- Clear communication
- Respect for participant choice
- Safe and structured support
How to Choose Among Registered NDIS Providers in Australia
With so many registered NDIS providers in Australia, choosing can feel overwhelming. Start by asking:
- What supports do I actually need?
- Do they have experience with my type of support?
- How do they manage staff consistency?
- How do they handle incidents or changes in needs?
- Do they listen to me and involve my family or support coordinator?
These answers matter more than any big number.
Final Answer
So, how many registered NDIS providers are there in Australia?
- There are over 20,000 registered NDIS providers nationwide.
- There are hundreds of thousands of providers when unregistered providers are included.
- The number keeps changing as the NDIS grows.
But in the end, the most important thing is not how many providers exist it’s finding the one that truly supports your goals, your safety, and your independence.
Use the official NDIS Provider Finder to search registered NDIS providers in Australia.