How to Price Your NDIS Services Correctly

Correct pricing of your NDIS services is a key responsibility for every provider. Whether you’re new to the sector or looking to refine your pricing strategy, understanding how to fairly and compliantly set your prices ensures you deliver quality support, maintain sustainability, and maximise participants' access to essential services. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about NDIS pricing, including the process, challenges, key benefits, and recent updates. [object Object]

[object Object]

What is NDIS Service Pricing, and Why Is It Important?

NDIS service pricing refers to the rates charged by service providers for delivering supports to participants under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These prices are mostly guided (and often capped) by the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) to promote fairness, market stability, and participant choice. Correct pricing:

[object Object]

• Ensures legal compliance for providers
• Allows participants maximum value for money from their plans
• Supports business sustainability and workforce attraction
  [object Object]
• Builds trust and transparency between providers and participants

Failing to price correctly can lead to compliance breaches, financial losses, or negative participant experiences. [object Object]

[object Object]

The NDIS Pricing Arrangements & Price Limits

Each financial year, the NDIA publishes an official ‘NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits’ document (previously the ‘Support Catalogue’), which sets out maximum rates for a range of supports (formerly known as the NDIS Price Guide). Providers must never charge above these limits for price-controlled services, although they can charge less.

[object Object] Key points:

• Price limits vary by support category, complexity, time of day, region, skillset, and whether the service is delivered individually or in a group [object Object]
• Some supports are not price-controlled, but transparency and reasonable cost must still be observed

Recent Update:
[object Object] For 2023-24, price limits have been indexed to account for inflation, award wage changes, and temporary arrangements related to COVID-19. Always rely on the latest official NDIS Pricing Arrangements.

[object Object]

How to Price Your NDIS Services: Step-by-Step

1. Understand the NDIS Price Guide

[object Object]

• Download and familiarise yourself with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements & Price Limits document.
• Identify which supports you deliver and their respective codes, details, and price caps.

[object Object]

2. Assess Your Costs

Calculate all costs associated with delivering your service, including but not limited to:

• Staff wages (casual, part-time, full-time)
  [object Object]
• Superannuation, tax, oncosts
• Travel time and transport costs
• Overheads (rent, insurance, administration)
  [object Object]
• Resources, materials, technology
• Training, compliance, and quality controls

[object Object]

3. Select Your Service Model

Decide if you will charge the maximum price, less than the cap, or set a custom fee for non-price-controlled services. Consider:

• Your target participant demographic [object Object]
• Level of experience/expertise you offer
• Market competition in your area
• Your business or mission values [object Object]

4. Communicate Pricing Transparently

• Provide a clear Service Agreement before commencing services [object Object]
• Discuss fees, billing cycles, cancellation terms, and any out-of-pocket costs
• Use accessible and plain language

[object Object]

5. Stay Up-to-Date with NDIS Updates

• Monitor the NDIS provider portal
• Subscribe to NDIA newsletters and provider alerts [object Object]
• Keep an eye on annual price reviews and mid-year changes

[object Object]

How NDIS Pricing Works in the Context of Australian Migration

Many NDIS providers and workers are skilled migrants, and migration requirements can affect business operations: [object Object]

• To become a registered provider, businesses must have the right to operate in Australia and follow all Australian laws, including Fair Work requirements for all employees (whether local or migrant).
• Pricing must reflect lawful pay rates and workplace conditions for all staff, irrespective of visa status. [object Object]
• Migrant professionals must be credentialed, and professional indemnity insurance may be needed (particularly for allied health).
• Services appealing to newly settled migrants may have cultural liaison or translation services as part of their billable offering.

[object Object] Tip: Ensuring fair pricing supports diverse workforces.

[object Object]

Key Benefits and Features of Correct NDIS Pricing

• Legal Compliance: Reduces risk of NDIA audits or funding claw-backs [object Object]
• Market Trust: Transparent pricing builds participant and carer confidence
• Greater Access: Enables participants to use their budget efficiently and access more supports
• Business Viability: Sustains your business through accurate cost recovery [object Object]
• Flexible Service Models: Ability to offer discounts, pro bono work, or innovative group supports

[object Object]

Common Professions & Service Types Under NDIS

NDIS pricing applies to a wide range of supports, such as: [object Object]

• Allied Health: Occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology
• Support Coordination and Plan Management [object Object]
• Personal Care and Assistance: Disability support workers, community access
• Nursing
• Transport and Travel [object Object]
• Home Modifications and AT (Assistive Technology)
• Community Participation and Group Activities

[object Object]

Common Challenges and Solutions

[object Object]

Challenge 1: Keeping Up with Pricing Changes

Solution: Schedule biannual reviews of your pricing; assign someone responsibility for NDIS updates.

Challenge 2: Complex Support Combinations

Solution: Use the NDIA support item codes correctly; consider bespoke service agreements for complex packages. [object Object]

Challenge 3: Underquoting or Overquoting

Solution: Develop detailed cost models and double-check against the latest price guide before quoting.

[object Object]

Challenge 4: Communicating Pricing to Clients

Solution: Use plain English, visual aids, and offer to walk clients/families through invoices.