If your current NDIS provider isn’t meeting your needs, you have every right to make a change. Knowing how to change your NDIS provider is simpler than most people think, and you don’t need to wait for your plan review to do it. This guide walks you through the process step by step, so you can switch to a provider that genuinely works for you.
Destiny Community Services is a registered NDIS provider supporting participants across Adelaide, Riverland, Tasmania, and NSW. If you’re considering a change, we’re here to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Can You Change Your NDIS Provider?
Yes. Under the NDIS, you have the right to choose your own providers and change them at any time. This is a fundamental principle of the scheme: choice and control. You do not need permission from the NDIA, your current provider, or your support coordinator to make a switch.
The NDIA’s official guidance is clear: participants can change providers whenever they choose, for any reason.
Reasons People Change NDIS Providers
There’s no wrong reason to change providers. Common reasons include:
- Support workers not showing up on time or cancelling frequently
- Feeling like your goals aren’t being prioritised
- Poor communication or slow responses from the provider
- High staff turnover meaning you’re constantly meeting new people
- The provider doesn’t offer a service you now need
- Moving to a new area where your current provider doesn’t operate
- Wanting a provider with specific expertise (e.g., clinical nursing, complex care, cultural sensitivity)
- Feeling unsafe or unsupported
How to Change Your NDIS Provider: Step by Step
Step 1: Check Your Current Service Agreement
Review the service agreement you signed with your current provider. Look for:
- Notice period: Most agreements require 14 to 30 days’ written notice. Some may be shorter.
- Cancellation terms: Check whether there are any fees for early cancellation (these should be reasonable under NDIS rules).
- Unused funding: Your NDIS funding stays with your plan, not with the provider. Unused funding remains available for your new provider.
Step 2: Find Your New Provider
Before leaving your current provider, it helps to have your next provider lined up. Consider:
- Are they a registered NDIS provider? (Required if your plan is NDIA-managed.)
- Do they operate in your area?
- Do they offer the specific services you need?
- Can they start within your preferred timeframe?
- Do they have experience with your type of support needs?
Step 3: Contact Your New Provider
Reach out to your preferred new provider to discuss your needs, availability, and how they deliver services. Most providers, including Destiny Community Services, offer a free initial consultation.
You can submit a referral online or call us directly on (08) 7093 3823.
Step 4: Give Notice to Your Current Provider
Provide written notice to your current provider as required by your service agreement. A simple email or letter is usually sufficient. You don’t need to give a detailed reason, though you’re welcome to provide feedback if you wish.
Keep a copy of your notice for your records.
Step 5: Sign a New Service Agreement
Your new provider will prepare a service agreement outlining the supports they’ll deliver, the schedule, pricing, and cancellation terms. Read it carefully before signing.
Step 6: Notify Your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager
Let your support coordinator or plan manager know about the change so they can update their records. If you’re NDIA-managed, you may also need to update the NDIA portal.
What Happens to Your Funding When You Change Providers?
Your NDIS funding belongs to you, not to your provider. When you change providers:
- Any unused funding in your plan remains available
- Your new provider claims from the same budget categories
- There’s no penalty or funding reduction for changing providers
- Your plan end date stays the same
If your previous provider has invoiced for services already delivered, those payments are processed normally. Your new provider picks up from where they left off.
Why Participants Choose Destiny Community Services
At Destiny Community Services, we understand that changing providers can feel like a big step. Here’s what makes us different:
- Qualified nurses on staff: Our registered nurses deliver clinical support including wound care, medication management, and complex health monitoring
- Person-centred approach: We build support plans around your goals, not our schedule
- Multicultural team: We serve diverse communities with cultural sensitivity
- Four-state coverage: We operate across Adelaide, Riverland, Tasmania, and NSW
- 11 NDIS services: From community nursing to supported independent living, personal care, transport, and more
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing NDIS Providers
Do I need to tell the NDIA if I change my NDIS provider?
If your plan is NDIA-managed, your new provider will need to be set up in the NDIS portal to claim from your plan. Your support coordinator or the NDIA can help with this. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed, you simply start using the new provider and your plan manager processes their invoices as usual.
Can my current NDIS provider refuse to let me leave?
No. Under the NDIS, you have the right to choose and change providers at any time. A provider cannot refuse to release you. If you experience any difficulty, contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 or your support coordinator for assistance.
Will I lose NDIS funding if I change providers mid-plan?
No. Your NDIS funding stays with your plan regardless of which provider delivers your supports. Changing providers does not trigger a plan review, reduce your funding, or affect your plan end date. Any unused funding continues to be available for your new provider to claim.
How long does it take to switch NDIS providers?
Most transitions take 2 to 4 weeks depending on the notice period in your current service agreement and how quickly your new provider can begin. To avoid gaps in support, start the process before giving notice to your current provider. Destiny Community Services can often begin within 1 to 2 weeks of your initial enquiry.
Ready to Make a Change?
Switching providers doesn’t have to be stressful. Our team will guide you through every step of the transition and make sure your supports continue without interruption.
Contact us or call (08) 7093 3823 to discuss how we can support you.