Moving to a new town or state with the NDIS: a practical checklist
· Local supports · Source checked 12 October 2026
Your plan travels with you, but your providers may not. Here is what to sort out before, during and after a move.
Tell the right people, early
A move is a change in your circumstances, and it affects which providers can support you. Let the NDIA know your new address and plans as soon as you can, and tell your plan manager and support coordinator so invoices and contact details stay correct.
Ask whether the move changes anything about how your plan should work. Moving can affect travel, the availability of particular supports and, sometimes, what you need. If you think your plan will no longer fit, ask about a change before the move rather than after it.
Find supports at the other end before you go
Start looking for providers in the new area early, because some have waiting lists. Search the new suburb and the nearest larger centre, and contact a few. Ask whether they have capacity from your move date and what they need from you to begin.
If you rely on a particular support worker or therapist, ask your current provider whether they can help with a handover, and whether a short overlap is possible so you are not left without support in the first weeks.
Ending services you are leaving
Check the notice period in each service agreement and give notice in writing. Ask for any records you may need, such as reports or progress notes, and confirm the final invoice goes to the right place so it is paid from the correct budget.
Housing, transport and equipment
If your move involves different housing, check whether the new home needs modifications or equipment, and whether those need assessments and approvals that take time. Think about how you will travel to appointments and activities from the new address.
Moving can be unsettling, so build in extra support for the first weeks if you can. This is general information, not advice about your plan. Check the linked official pages and speak to the NDIA about your own circumstances.
Questions to ask a new provider about the move
Ask when they could start, whether you would be placed on a waiting list, and who you would deal with first. Ask whether they already work with your plan manager, and whether they can provide a written service agreement before you arrive so there are no surprises on the first day.
If you are moving because of a change in your needs or housing, say so. It helps a provider understand what you are likely to need over the first few months and whether they are the right fit.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I tell when I move?
Let the NDIA know your new address and plans as soon as you can, and tell your plan manager and support coordinator so invoices and contact details stay correct. Ask whether the move changes anything about how your plan should work, and if you think your plan will no longer fit, ask about a change before the move rather than after it.
When should I start looking for providers in the new area?
Early, because some have waiting lists. Search the new suburb and the nearest larger centre, contact a few, and ask whether they have capacity from your move date and what they need from you to begin.
How do I end services I am leaving?
Check the notice period in each service agreement and give notice in writing. Ask for any records you may need, such as reports or progress notes, and confirm the final invoice goes to the right place so it is paid from the correct budget.
Keep learning
- Finding NDIS supports in regional and remote areas: Fewer providers and longer distances change how you search. Here is a practical approach to widening the search, asking about travel and building a back-up.
- SDA and SIL explained: the difference between the home and the support: Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living are often mentioned together, but they are different supports. Here is the difference in plain language.
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
More in our NDIS updates and insights, our step-by-step guides, or the NDIS and aged care provider directory.
Official sources
Source checked 12 October 2026. Rules and guidance can change; verify current details with the responsible agency. How we write and check our guides.