NDIS Registration for Cleaners and Cleaning Businesses

Who this guide is for

• Domestic and commercial cleaning businesses considering NDIS work
• Sole traders wanting to expand from private clients to NDIS participants
• Existing unregistered cleaners weighing up registration
• Support coordinators seeking to understand cleaner registration status

What NDIS cleaning supports typically look like

Cleaning supports funded under the NDIS generally relate to tasks a participant cannot safely or practically do themselves because of their disability, such as vacuuming, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, laundry, and general tidying.

Some participants also need periodic deep cleans, end-of-lease cleans linked to a change of accommodation, or cleaning support bundled with broader household tasks assistance.

These supports are typically funded under Core Supports, most often within the 'assistance with daily life' category, though exact line items depend on each participant's plan.

Examples of supports cleaning businesses may provide

The specific mix varies by participant, but common examples include:

• Regular domestic cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms, living areas and bedrooms
• Laundry, including washing, drying and folding
• Periodic deep cleaning or spring cleaning
• Cleaning associated with a house move or end-of-lease requirements
• Basic tidying and decluttering support alongside cleaning tasks

Do cleaners need to register with the NDIS Commission?

There is no blanket rule that every cleaner must register. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can generally choose to engage unregistered cleaning businesses, paying invoices directly or through their plan manager.

NDIA-managed participants, however, are generally limited to registered providers for supports that require registration, so an unregistered cleaning business may miss out on this segment of the market.

Some cleaning businesses register to build credibility, access a broader referral network, or because they plan to expand into other registration groups over time.

Self-managed vs plan-managed vs NDIA-managed, in brief

Indicative registration group considerations for cleaning

This is general, indicative information only. Your actual scope depends on your self-assessment and the Commission's Initial Scope of Audit.

Qualifications, licensing and checks that may apply

Cleaning is not typically a licensed trade in most Australian states and territories, but your business should still meet general work health and safety obligations, especially around chemical handling and manual tasks.

Workers engaged in NDIS-funded supports generally need an NDIS worker screening check where their role involves more than incidental contact with participants, and this is separate from any state-based police check or working with children check.

It is worth checking your relevant state or territory regulator for any local business licensing, public health, or chemical-use requirements that may apply to commercial cleaning operations, as these sit outside NDIS registration entirely.

Insurance, governance and risk considerations

Public liability insurance is a practical necessity for any cleaning business working in participants' homes, and registered providers are generally expected to demonstrate appropriate insurance arrangements as part of suitability information.

Governance expectations for registered providers include having clear policies around incident management, complaints handling, and how you manage risks like accidental damage or chemical exposure.

Even unregistered cleaning businesses benefit from documenting these practices, since plan managers and support coordinators increasingly ask about them informally before referring participants.

Documents and policies worth preparing

Before starting a registration application, cleaning businesses typically benefit from having:

1. 1A service agreement template suitable for NDIS participants
2. 2A work health and safety policy covering chemical handling and manual tasks
3. 3An incident management and reporting policy
4. 4A complaints handling policy with a clear resolution process
5. 5Evidence of current public liability insurance
6. 6Worker screening records for all relevant staff

A typical journey for cleaning businesses considering registration

The exact steps depend on your chosen registration group and audit pathway.

1. 01

   Confirm demand

   Check whether NDIA-managed participants in your area would meaningfully expand your client base.

2. 02

   Review the Practice Standards

   Read the core module and any relevant supplementary modules that may apply to your services.

3. 03

   Prepare policies and evidence

   Draft the policies and gather the insurance and screening evidence outlined above.

4. 04

   Submit your application

   Apply to the NDIS Commission, including a self-assessment against applicable standards.

5. 05

   Engage an approved auditor

   Once you receive your Initial Scope of Audit, arrange an audit with an independent approved quality auditor.

6. 06

   Await the Commission's decision

   The Commission considers the audit outcome and suitability information before deciding on registration.

Likely audit pathway considerations

Cleaning businesses with a narrower, lower-risk scope may be directed toward a verification-style pathway, while broader or more complex service offerings may involve a more detailed certification-style audit.

The Commission determines the actual pathway through your Initial Scope of Audit, so any indication here should be treated as general background rather than a guarantee of which pathway will apply to you.

Common mistakes cleaning businesses make

These recurring issues can slow down an application or create compliance gaps later:

• Assuming registration is compulsory for all NDIS cleaning work, when many participants can engage unregistered providers
• Underestimating the ongoing paperwork involved in incident and complaints management
• Not budgeting separately for the independent auditor's fees, which are set by the auditor and not included in our support
• Confusing state-based business licensing with NDIS Commission registration
• Failing to screen all workers who have contact with participants, not just lead cleaners

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be registered to clean for NDIS participants?

No. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can generally engage unregistered cleaning businesses. Registration mainly matters if you want to work with NDIA-managed participants.

Which registration group covers cleaning?

Cleaning is generally considered under household tasks or assistance with daily life type registration groups, but the exact grouping depends on your self-assessment and the Commission's determination.

Do my staff need police checks?

NDIS worker screening is generally required for workers with more than incidental contact with participants; this is separate from any state-based police check requirements.

Is a cleaning licence required in Australia?

Cleaning is not typically a licensed trade, though local business, health and chemical-handling rules can vary by state or territory, so check with your relevant regulator.

How long does registration take?

Timeframes vary depending on your application, the audit pathway assigned, and the auditor's availability, so we avoid quoting specific timeframes.

Do you carry out the audit?

No. We are not an approved auditor. We help you prepare your application and supporting evidence; the audit itself is conducted by an independent approved quality auditor, whose fees are separate.

What does registration cost?

Our registration support starts from $500, with auditor fees charged separately by the auditor you engage.

Official sources and further reading

Requirements change. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before making decisions.

• NDIS Commission – Provider registration
• NDIS Commission – NDIS Practice Standards
• NDIS Commission – Worker screening
• NDIS – About the scheme

Related guides