NDIS service agreements: what to check before you sign
· Choosing providers · Source checked 12 October 2026
A service agreement sets out what a provider will do, what it costs and how either side can change it. Read these points before you agree to anything.
What a service agreement is for
A service agreement is a written arrangement between you and a provider. It records which supports will be delivered, when, at what price and under what conditions. It is generally recommended rather than something you are forced to sign, and it protects both sides because it is easy to point to when expectations differ.
Take it home. You should not feel pressured to sign at the first meeting, and you can ask a family member, advocate, support coordinator or plan manager to read it with you.
The supports and the schedule
Check that the supports are described in words you understand, not just codes, and that they match what you discussed. Look at how often and when they happen, how long each session is, and where they are delivered.
If the agreement lists a worker, a team or a type of qualification, check that it matches what you were told. If you were promised something in conversation, make sure it is in the document.
Price, invoices and extra charges
The agreement should state the rates, how and when you are invoiced and who pays. Compare the rates with the NDIA’s pricing arrangements: they set maximum prices for many supports. Look for any separate charges such as travel, after-hours work or cancellation fees, and make sure you understand when each applies.
If you use a plan manager, check that the provider is happy to invoice them. If you self-manage, check what records you will receive so you can claim accurately.
Cancellation, changes and ending the agreement
Agreements should explain how much notice either side must give to cancel a session, and when you may be charged for a short-notice cancellation. They should also explain how to change the supports and how to end the agreement altogether.
Look for how concerns are raised and who handles them. If you disagree with something in the agreement, ask for it to be changed before you sign. If the provider will not discuss reasonable changes, that is useful information about how the service will work with you later. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sign an NDIS service agreement?
A service agreement is generally recommended rather than something you are forced to sign. You should not feel pressured to sign at the first meeting, you can take it home, and you can ask a family member, advocate, support coordinator or plan manager to read it with you.
What should a service agreement include?
It should record which supports will be delivered, when, at what price and under what conditions: how often, how long each session is and where, the rates, how and when you are invoiced and who pays, any separate charges such as travel, after-hours work or cancellation fees, and how to cancel, change or end the agreement.
Can I ask for changes before I sign?
Yes. If you disagree with something in the agreement, ask for it to be changed before you sign. If the provider will not discuss reasonable changes, that is useful information about how the service will work with you later.
What should I check about cancellations?
Check how much notice either side must give to cancel a session and when you may be charged for a short-notice cancellation. Look also for how concerns are raised and who handles them.
Keep learning
- 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.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.
- 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.
- Making a complaint about an NDIS provider or worker: where to start: Raising a concern can feel daunting. Here is a clear order of steps, who deals with what, and how to keep a record as you go.
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.