What NDIS providers can and cannot say in their marketing

NDIS providers can market their services, but honesty rules apply and “NDIS approved” claims are now an enforcement target. Here’s what you can say.

14 August 202611 min read

Updated 29 October 2026 to reflect the latest rules and guidance.

NDIS providers often feel unsure about marketing. Is it even appropriate to advertise disability services? What are you allowed to say? And which rules apply to you?

The short answer is that marketing your services is entirely appropriate. Participants, families and support coordinators need to be able to find good providers, and clear, honest marketing helps them do that. But the rules are stricter than many providers realise, and enforcement has stepped up. On 4 December 2025 the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) warned that describing offerings as “NDIS approved” is likely to breach consumer law, and new laws passed in April 2026 give the NDIS Commission anti-promotion orders aimed at misleading advertising of NDIS supports. Here’s how the rules fit together.

What has changed recently

December 2025: the NDIA crackdown on “NDIS approved” claims

On 4 December 2025 the NDIA, working with the NDIS (Fair Price and Australian Consumer Law) Taskforce, which includes the ACCC and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, warned providers and retailers that promoting products or services as “NDIS approved”, “NDIS permitted” or “100% NDIS funded” is likely to breach the Australian Consumer Law. The reason is simple: the NDIA does not endorse or approve any products or services.

The NDIA said that since a targeted campaign began in August 2024 it had referred 604 matters to the ACCC, 112 likely Code of Conduct breaches to the NDIS Commission and 6 matters to the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, with more than $100,000 in fines paid. It also reminded providers that only registered NDIS providers may use the “I/we heart NDIS” and “I/we support NDIS” logos with the “Registered Provider” tagline.

April 2026: anti-promotion orders and higher penalties

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026 passed Parliament on 1 April 2026 and received assent on 8 April 2026. According to the Minister, it introduces anti-promotion orders aimed at businesses that advertise NDIS supports in ways that undermine the integrity of the scheme or trick participants into misusing their funding. It also lifts the maximum fines for serious Code of Conduct breaches, from $412,500 to more than $15 million where serious misconduct leads to death or serious injury, and makes it an offence to provide supports that require registration without being registered. Check the NDIS Commission’s updates for when each part commences.

October 2024: what counts as an NDIS support

The Getting the NDIS Back on Track amendments became law from 3 October 2024. NDIS rules now set out what is and isn’t an NDIS support. That matters for marketing, because telling participants that a product or service can be claimed when it isn’t an NDIS support is likely to mislead them.

The rules that apply to you

The NDIS Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct applies to all NDIS providers and workers, registered or not. Among other things, it requires providers to act with integrity, honesty and transparency, and to respect participants’ rights to make their own decisions. Your marketing is part of how you act, so it needs to reflect those principles. Since April 2026, serious breaches can attract much higher penalties.

Australian Consumer Law

Like every business, NDIS providers must not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct. That covers claims about your services, your qualifications, your availability, your prices, your registration status and whether something is funded. The ACCC is part of the NDIS taskforce, and the fixed maximum penalty for a corporation under the Australian Consumer Law doubled from $50 million to $100 million for conduct from 28 March 2026.

The Ahpra guidelines, for some providers

If your services are delivered by registered health practitioners, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists or psychologists, the National Law and Ahpra’s Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service apply as well. That brings in the ban on testimonials, the need for acceptable evidence behind claims about effectiveness, the rules on titles and the requirement to state the terms and conditions of any gift, discount or inducement. Ahpra says the maximum penalty for an advertising offence is $60,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a body corporate.

What you can say

Plenty. Good NDIS marketing clearly explains:

the services you provide and who they’re designed for
the areas you cover and how services are delivered
your team’s qualifications and experience, accurately described
whether you’re a registered NDIS provider, and which registration groups apply
which participants can use your services: for example, self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed
your availability, waiting times and how to get started
how you work with participants, families and support coordinators

Plain, specific information like this is exactly what people choosing a provider are looking for.

Safer ways to talk about funding

You can tell people how your services relate to NDIS funding without implying endorsement. For example:

“We are a registered NDIS provider for [registration groups].”
“We work with self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants.”
“Whether a support can be funded depends on your plan and the NDIS rules. Talk to us, your support coordinator or your plan manager.”

Compare those with “NDIS approved therapy” or “100% NDIS funded”, which suggest the NDIA has endorsed you or that funding is guaranteed. It hasn’t, and it isn’t.

What to avoid

“NDIS approved”, “NDIS permitted” and “100% NDIS funded”. The NDIA has said these claims are likely to breach consumer law. Remove them everywhere they appear.
Misrepresenting your registration. Only describe yourself as a registered NDIS provider if you are, and be accurate about what you’re registered for. Unregistered providers must not use the NDIS logos with the “Registered Provider” tagline.
Funding claims for things that aren’t NDIS supports. Check products and services against the NDIS supports rules before suggesting they can be claimed.
Overpromising outcomes. Claims that a service will achieve particular results for every participant are misleading, and for Ahpra-registered practitioners they can breach the National Law.
Pressure and inducements. Gifts, vouchers or incentives to switch providers or sign up are at odds with the Code of Conduct’s emphasis on participants’ choice and control, and they are the kind of promotion the new anti-promotion orders are aimed at.
Vague pricing claims. If you talk about prices, be accurate and clear about what’s included.
Participant stories without proper consent. Sharing a participant’s story or photo needs informed, documented consent, with careful thought about their capacity to give it and their privacy.

Testimonials: it depends who delivers the service

For services delivered by Ahpra-registered practitioners, testimonials about clinical aspects can’t be used in your advertising, full stop. Ahpra’s guidance says comments only about customer service are not testimonials, but anything recommending or praising the clinical side is. For other NDIS supports, like support work, testimonials aren’t banned by the National Law, but they must be genuine and not misleading under consumer law, and you should think carefully about the participant’s consent and dignity. If you deliver both kinds of service, the safest approach is to keep testimonials out of your marketing altogether.

What it means for each channel

Website

Search your whole site, including old blog posts, service pages, image alt text and page titles, for “approved”, “permitted” and “funded”. Add a clear statement of your registration status and registration groups, and a plain explanation of how funding works for your services.

Google Business Profile and directories

Many people find providers through directories and recommendations as much as through search. Make sure your details are accurate and consistent across your website, Google Business Profile and provider directories, and that your registration information is current everywhere it appears. Check your business description and any products or services listed in your profile for “NDIS approved” wording.

Social media

Social bios, pinned posts and old graphics often carry outdated claims. Review them along with your current posts. If you share participant stories, make sure you have documented consent for that specific use.

Paid ads and lead generation

Ad copy is where “100% NDIS funded” tends to appear, because it’s short and attention-grabbing. Avoid it. Be cautious with lead-generation partners and directories that write their own copy about you: you’re still responsible for how your services are promoted, and incentive-based lead schemes are exactly what the new anti-promotion orders target.

Printed material and events

Brochures, expo banners and flyers often outlive website updates. Reprint anything that uses the NDIS logos incorrectly or says your services are approved or fully funded.

Write for the people who decide

Choosing a provider is rarely one person’s decision. Participants, family members, support coordinators and plan managers may all be involved, and each wants different information. Plain language, clear service descriptions and straightforward next steps help everyone. Avoid jargon, avoid hype and make it easy to get in touch.

Common mistakes we see

“NDIS approved” used as a quality badge on the homepage.
The NDIS logo with the “Registered Provider” tagline used by a provider that isn’t registered, or that has let registration lapse.
“Fully funded” claims for products or services that may not be NDIS supports for every participant.
Clinical testimonials from participants on an allied health provider’s website.
Sign-up gifts or vouchers for participants who switch providers.
Different registration details on the website, Google profile and directory listings.

A practical checklist

Search every channel for “NDIS approved”, “NDIS permitted”, “100% NDIS funded” and similar wording, and remove it.
Check that your registration status and registration groups are stated accurately and consistently everywhere.
Confirm you only use the NDIS logos with the “Registered Provider” tagline if you are a registered provider.
Check any funding claims against the NDIS supports rules, and hedge them with “depending on your plan”.
Remove gifts, vouchers and incentives for signing up or switching providers.
Remove clinical testimonials for services delivered by registered practitioners.
Check that every participant story or photo has documented, informed consent.
Review what lead-generation partners and directories say about you.
Watch the NDIS Commission’s updates on when anti-promotion orders commence.

How this fits with other rules

The NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Act govern how you act as a provider, including your marketing. The Australian Consumer Law governs whether your claims are accurate, and the ACCC is part of the NDIS taskforce. If registered health practitioners deliver your services, the National Law and Ahpra’s guidelines apply on top. And the Privacy Act governs how you handle participants’ personal and health information, including in case studies, photos and marketing lists.

Frequently asked questions

Can we say we’re “NDIS approved” if we’re a registered provider?

No. Registration isn’t approval or endorsement. The NDIA does not endorse or approve any products or services, and it has said “NDIS approved” claims are likely to breach the Australian Consumer Law. Say “registered NDIS provider” and list your registration groups instead.

Can unregistered providers market to NDIS participants?

Yes, as long as they’re clear that they are not registered, don’t use the NDIS logos with the “Registered Provider” tagline and describe which participants can use their services, for example self-managed or plan-managed participants. Since April 2026, providing supports that require registration without being registered is an offence, so check your supports carefully.

Is “100% NDIS funded” ever acceptable?

The NDIA has named it as a claim likely to breach consumer law. Whether a support is funded depends on the participant’s plan and the NDIS rules, so a blanket claim can’t be accurate for everyone.

What are anti-promotion orders?

They are a new power under the NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026, aimed at businesses that advertise NDIS supports in ways that undermine scheme integrity or trick participants into misusing funding. Check the NDIS Commission for commencement dates and details.

Can our allied health team share participant feedback?

Not if it’s about clinical aspects of a service delivered by a registered practitioner. That’s a testimonial, which the National Law prohibits in advertising. Feedback only about customer service isn’t a testimonial, but it still needs genuine consent and must not mislead.

Do we need to update old brochures?

Yes, if they’re still in circulation. Printed material is advertising too, and outdated logos or “approved” claims carry the same risk as a web page.

Honesty is the strategy

In the NDIS space, trust is everything. Families remember providers who were straight with them about availability, fit and what to expect. Honest marketing keeps you on the right side of the rules, and it’s what participants and their families are looking for.

Need a hand?

Want a review of your current marketing? Our compliance audit checks your website and listings against the rules that apply to you, and our compliant content service can rewrite service pages for allied health teams. You can also read about how we help NDIS and aged care providers and allied health practices.

This article is general guidance based on the published rules, not legal advice. Final responsibility for advertising sits with the provider and, where services are delivered by registered practitioners, with the registered practitioner, and complex situations may need independent legal advice.