Service agreement template for NDIS providers.

Required for SDA, encouraged for SIL, recommended for the rest

The NDIA says a service agreement is a must with a specialist disability accommodation provider and encouraged with a supported independent living provider. For any other support it recommends one when a participant starts with a new provider or their needs change. A good one covers who it's for, the supports and how they're delivered, what they cost and how the provider is paid, important dates and reviews, both sides' rights and responsibilities, and what to do when you disagree or something goes wrong.

No contracting out of the Code or consumer law

A provider can't use a service agreement to contract out of its responsibilities under the NDIS Code of Conduct or Australian Consumer Law, so every term has to sit inside both.

Variations for small changes, a new agreement for big ones

The NDIA's guidance is to record small changes in a variation added to the agreement, and to make a new agreement for big ones — new or significantly changed supports, a new provider or a new NDIS plan — or once the old one has passed its end date. Because a new NDIS plan means a new agreement, the participant's plan reassessment date is a natural end date, and the cancellation terms should say what happens when the provider cancels, pauses or replaces a support.

Registered providers: made with the participant, signed by both

Under the Practice Standards, registered providers develop the agreement with the participant, explain the supports and any conditions and why they apply, help the participant understand it in their own language and way of communicating, and give them a copy signed by both. If that isn't practical, or the participant chooses not to have one, record the circumstances.

Prices and terms agreed before the work

The NDIA's pricing arrangements say providers shouldn't set conditions that conflict with them. Travel can be claimed only if it's agreed in advance, reports the NDIA asks for only if the agreement allows it, cancellation terms belong in the agreement, and time spent preparing the agreement isn't billable. These come from the 2025-26 arrangements, the latest detailed version published — check for the 2026-27 update.

SIL: the service and the tenancy kept apart

Since 1 July 2026, a registered SIL provider that also provides the housing keeps the service agreement and the tenancy agreement separate, helps the participant understand that one doesn't depend on the other, and covers six matters in writing — from concerns about the home and conflict with housemates to vacancies and visitors.

Claims within 90 days, from 1 December 2026

From 1 December 2026, claims for NDIS payment must be made within 90 days of the support, down from two years — the amending Act changes section 45A of the NDIS Act on that day. Worth writing into your invoicing terms.

No inducements, from 20 November 2026

From 20 November 2026, an NDIS provider can't give or offer a gift or benefit that's reasonably likely to get someone to engage it — to start, keep, add to or increase a participant's supports, or to manage their funding. Legitimate pricing practices, such as a discount or fee reduction, and the provider's own merchandise are excepted.