How to prepare for your NDIS audit without being overwhelmed

Getting ready for your NDIS audit can feel like a big task – but it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right preparation and guidance, you can go into your audit with clarity and confidence. In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about preparing for your next NDIS audit and how to avoid common mistakes.

Whether you’re undergoing certification or verification, this guide is here to help you build your confidence and set your organisation up for success.

Why the NDIS Audit Matters

The NDIS audit is the main way the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission ensures that registered providers are delivering safe, high-quality supports that meet the NDIS Practice Standards. It’s also a way for providers to demonstrate their systems, values, and commitment to continuous improvement.

If this is your first audit, it will form part of your initial registration process. The audit is designed to:

• Assess your governance and operational systems
• Measure your compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards
• Highlight opportunities for improvement

Know Your Audit Type: Certification vs Verification

Before you start preparing, you need to know what type of audit you’ll undergo. This depends on the registration groups you’ve selected.

Certification Audit

These audits are designed for providers delivering higher-risk, complex supports (e.g., personal care, group activities, SIL). It includes:

• Document review (Stage 1)
• Onsite visits (Stage 2)
• Staff and participant interviews

Verification Audit

On the flip side, providers delivering lower-risk supports (e.g., plan management, therapy, support coordination) must undergo a verification audit if they wish to become a registered provider or maintain registration.

Verification audits include:

• Desktop-only audit
• Submission of key documents (qualifications, policies, insurance)

To determine which type of audit you will require, refer to the NDIS Commission’s website or feel free to reach out to the team at Audit Ready Consultants.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for Your First NDIS Audit

Step 1: Understand the NDIS Practice Standards

The audit assesses how your systems meet the NDIS Practice Standards.

For Certification audits this includes:

• Rights and Responsibilities
• Governance and Operational Management
• Provision of Supports
• Support Provision Environment

Depending on your registration groups, you may also need to meet Supplementary Modules which may include:

• High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
• Specialist Behaviour Support
• Implementing Behaviour Support Plans
• Early Childhood Supports
• Specialist Support Co-ordination
• Specialist Disability Accommodation

In the event you are undergoing a Verification audit, this will include:

• Human Resource Management
• Incident Management
• Complaints Management
• Risk Management

Step 2: Review Your Policies and Procedures

It is important to keep in mind that auditors will want to see a range of policies and procedures in place that help you govern your business. This may include:

• Risk management policies
• Incident and complaints handling procedures
• Service delivery protocols
• Participant rights and decision-making policies

Your policies must reflect how you operate – not just what’s required. Avoid using templates that haven’t been tailored to your business as this could lead to the refusal of your application. Why? Because this increases the risk that your application includes false or misleading information. In some situations, even if your application is approved the NDIS Commission may also impose an additional condition to your registration that requires you to do a new certification audit (stage 1 and stage 2), including submitting a new self-assessment.

Step 3: Collect Your Evidence

Evidence is always a key component of your audit and can come in all shapes and sizes. For example:

• Signed service agreements
• Completed risk assessments
• Incident reports
• Feedback and complaint logs
• Staff induction and training records
• Insurance certificates
• Worker screening records

Make sure that before you present your evidence, everything is organised, version controlled, and accessible (not password protected etc).

Step 4: Conduct a Pre-Audit Review

Undertake a mock audit on your own systems/with your staff. This will help you to identify whether there are any gaps in compliance, clarify staff responsibilities and check that your documentation is up-to-date.

You can do this internally or engage an NDIS consultant like Audit Ready Consultants to guide the process.

Step 5: Prepare Your Team

Audit success isn’t just about documents – it’s about your team.

Ensure they:

• Know the audit is happening
• Understand the NDIS Practice Standards
• Can describe how they uphold participant rights and safety in practice

Encourage them to be honest and confident. Auditors aren’t looking for perfection or polished responses, but for systems that work in practice which everyone understands.

Tips for Staying Calm and Organised

• Start early: Give yourself enough time to prepare. Think about your current workload and commitments, and factor in your audit preparation time.
• Use checklists: Break tasks into manageable steps.
• Prioritise high risk areas: Focus on governance, incident handling, and participant safety.
• Ask for help: It’s okay to bring in experts and ask for help when you feel like you need the support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using generic templates without adapting them to your service.
2. Missing or inconsistent documentation (e.g., unsigned service agreements).
3. No evidence of complaints or incidents (even if you’ve had none, you still need a register).
4. Poor version control – auditors should see clearly dated and updated policies.
5. Staff being unaware or unprepared for interviews.

What Happens After the Audit?

At the conclusion of your audit, you will receive a report with:

• Non-conformities (if any)
• Recommendations for improvement

You will be required to prepare a corrective action plan for any non-conformities identified, and address any gaps quickly. Use the feedback provided as a tool for growth in the spirit of continuous improvement – not as criticism of your service.

Where to from here?

Going through NDIS audit is always a milestone and a great opportunity to strengthen your organisation. With the right preparation, it should also be very management for you and your team.

Focus on understanding the Standards, documenting your processes, engaging your team, and showing how you prioritise participant safety and rights.

Want support preparing for your first NDIS audit?

Audit Ready Consultants offer expert guidance and pre-audit support tailored to your business. Book a free discovery meeting today.