What Is an NDIS Approved Quality Auditor?
An NDIS Approved Quality Auditor (AQA) is an organisation that has been approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to conduct audits of NDIS registered providers under the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018. Only AQAs can conduct audits that count toward NDIS registration — you cannot use a general ISO auditor, a consultant, or an internal auditor.
AQAs employ individual auditors who are themselves qualified and experienced in both auditing methodology and NDIS service delivery. Each AQA must maintain a team of auditors with knowledge of the specific registration groups they audit. An AQA approved to audit SIL providers, for example, must employ auditors who understand supported independent living, residential care environments, and the specific risks associated with 24-hour support settings.
The AQA's role is to assess your organisation against the NDIS Practice Standards and provide an independent report to the NDIS Commission. They are not consultants, and they should not be coaching you through the audit — their responsibility is to objectively evaluate your compliance and report their findings accurately.
How AQAs Are Accredited Through JAS-ANZ
The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) is the government-appointed body responsible for accrediting AQAs in Australia. JAS-ANZ operates under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 and accredits organisations against relevant international and domestic standards.
To become an AQA, an organisation must:
- Apply to JAS-ANZ and demonstrate organisational competence in auditing against the NDIS Practice Standards
- Demonstrate that its individual auditors meet the competency requirements published in the NDIS Commission's auditor competency framework
- Maintain an ongoing accreditation that is subject to JAS-ANZ surveillance audits
- Operate within a defined scope — not all AQAs are approved for all registration groups
When you engage an AQA, you should verify that their JAS-ANZ accreditation covers your specific registration groups. An AQA approved for low-risk groups (such as assistive technology) may not be approved to audit higher-risk groups (such as SIL or High Intensity supports). Always check the scope before engaging.
How to Use the NDIS Commission's AQA Register
The NDIS Commission maintains a public register of all currently approved AQAs on its website at ndiscommission.gov.au. The register is searchable and updated regularly. To use it effectively:
- Search by state/territory — while many AQAs operate nationally, some are regionally focused. A local AQA may offer lower travel cost charges for on-site visits, particularly for rural and remote providers.
- Check the registration groups in scope — the register lists which registration groups each AQA is approved to audit. Match this against your registration groups before making contact.
- Confirm current status — ensure the AQA's accreditation is current and has not lapsed or been suspended.
- Note contact information — the register provides direct contact details for each AQA. Use these to request quotes and check availability.
At the time of publication, there are approximately 30–40 AQAs operating in Australia, ranging from large national certification bodies to smaller specialist firms.
Major AQAs Operating in Australia
The following organisations are among the most commonly used AQAs for NDIS certification audits in Australia. This is not an endorsement — you should obtain multiple quotes and evaluate each against your specific circumstances.
SAI Global
SAI Global is one of Australia's largest certification bodies, operating across multiple industries including health, community services, and government. They have an extensive NDIS auditing practice and experience auditing providers across all registration groups including SIL, SDA, and High Intensity supports. They operate nationally with auditors in all states and territories. SAI Global tends to be at the premium end of the market and is often the choice of larger providers with complex multi-site operations.
BSI Group (British Standards Institution)
BSI Group operates globally and has an established Australian NDIS auditing practice. They are ISO management system specialists with deep experience in quality management auditing. BSI is frequently chosen by providers who also hold ISO 9001 certification, as they can sometimes coordinate both audits to reduce cost. Their NDIS auditing team covers all major registration groups.
Quality Innovation Performance (QIP)
QIP is an Australian-owned AQA that specialises in the health and community services sectors. They are particularly well-regarded in the primary health and aged care sectors and have a growing NDIS practice. QIP's focus on the Australian community services context means their auditors typically have strong sector-specific knowledge. They may be a good fit for providers who also deliver aged care or health services alongside NDIS supports.
Benchmark Certification
Benchmark Certification is a smaller, specialist AQA with a strong NDIS focus. They are known for their responsiveness and accessible pricing, particularly for small and medium providers. For providers who find the large certification bodies slow or impersonal, Benchmark offers a more boutique experience. They cover the major certification-required registration groups including SIL.
Other AQAs to Consider
Other AQAs worth researching include AusQual, HDAA (Health and Disability Auditors Australia), Integrated Management Group (IMG), and Accredited Certification Australia (ACA). Each has different geographic coverage, pricing, and sector experience.
How to Compare Quotes
When you request quotes from AQAs, you will typically receive a document outlining the audit scope, methodology, number of auditor days, and fee. Comparing quotes requires more than looking at the bottom line.
| What to Compare | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Total fee (inclusive of GST) | Ensure quotes include all fees: Stage 1 desktop, Stage 2 on-site, travel, and report preparation. Some AQAs itemise travel separately. |
| Number of auditor days | More auditor days is not always better — but check whether the allocated days are sufficient for your organisation size. An under-resourced audit can be stressful and ineffective. |
| Auditor experience | Ask specifically about the lead auditor's experience with your registration groups. Generic auditing experience is not the same as NDIS SIL experience. |
| Timeline to first available date | Given the 1 July 2026 deadline, availability is critical. Ask for their earliest available on-site date when requesting a quote. |
| What happens if non-conformities are found | Ask about re-audit costs and the process for corrective action. Some AQAs include a minor corrective action review in their base fee; others charge separately. |
| Pre-audit support | Some AQAs offer pre-audit readiness assessments or gap analyses. These are useful but are additional cost — typically $500–$2,000. Understand whether this is included. |
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Before signing an engagement agreement with an AQA, ask these specific questions:
- Is your JAS-ANZ accreditation current and does it cover all of my registration groups (list them specifically)?
- Who will be the lead auditor assigned to my audit, and what is their specific experience with SIL / [your registration groups]?
- What is your earliest available on-site date given the 1 July 2026 registration deadline?
- What documents do you require for the Stage 1 desktop review, and can you provide a document checklist in advance?
- What is your process if a major non-conformity is found? How quickly can a focused re-audit be scheduled, and what does it cost?
- Will the same lead auditor conduct both Stage 1 and Stage 2, or might the team change?
- How long after the on-site audit will we receive the draft report, and how long before it is submitted to the NDIS Commission?
- Does your fee include travel costs for the on-site visit, or is travel billed separately?
Why SIL Experience Matters
Supported Independent Living is one of the most complex and high-risk supports in the NDIS. SIL involves 24-hour care in residential settings, complex support ratios, restrictive practices considerations, and a range of participant vulnerabilities. Auditing SIL is meaningfully different from auditing an assistive technology supplier or a support coordination practice.
An auditor without SIL experience may misinterpret your documentation, apply the wrong benchmarks, or fail to understand the operational realities of a shared living environment. For example, they may not understand how a "reasonable adjustment" in the incident management context differs for SIL, or how the Practice Standard Outcome 4.1 (safe environment) applies specifically to group homes rather than office-based services.
When interviewing AQAs, specifically ask: "Can you tell me about the last SIL provider audit your team conducted? What are the most common non-conformities you see in SIL audits?" A qualified, experienced AQA should be able to answer this in detail. If they are vague or evasive, treat this as a warning sign.
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If your audit results in non-conformity findings that you believe are incorrect, you have several options:
1. Raise Concerns Directly With Your AQA
Before the audit report is finalised, you will typically have an opportunity to review a draft and provide comments. If you believe a finding is based on a misunderstanding of your evidence or a misapplication of the Practice Standards, raise this formally in writing with the lead auditor. Provide specific evidence that contradicts the finding. The lead auditor has an obligation to consider valid counter-evidence.
2. Escalate to the AQA's Internal Appeals Process
All AQAs must have a formal complaints and appeals process. If you cannot resolve a disputed finding with the lead auditor, submit a formal appeal. This process is typically completed within 20–30 business days.
3. Complain to JAS-ANZ
If you believe the AQA has acted unprofessionally, failed to follow proper audit methodology, or otherwise violated its accreditation obligations, you can lodge a complaint with JAS-ANZ. JAS-ANZ can investigate AQA conduct and, in serious cases, take action against the AQA's accreditation.
4. Contact the NDIS Commission
If the audit report has been submitted to the NDIS Commission and you disagree with the findings, you can contact the Commission to discuss the matter. The Commission may request clarifying information or reconsider a decision if there is compelling reason to do so.
Cost Ranges by Provider Size
The following cost ranges are indicative of current market rates for NDIS certification audits in Australia. These are AQA fees only and do not include document preparation, consultant fees, or staff time.
| Provider Size | Staff Count | Certification Audit Cost Range | Verification Audit Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader / micro | 1–2 staff | $3,000–$5,000 | $800–$1,500 |
| Small provider | 3–10 staff | $4,500–$7,500 | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Medium provider | 11–25 staff | $6,000–$10,000 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| Large provider | 26–50 staff | $8,000–$15,000 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Multi-site provider | 50+ staff, 3+ sites | $12,000–$25,000+ | Not typically applicable |
Travel costs are typically charged at cost and can add $500–$2,000+ for rural or remote providers. Some AQAs offer a fixed national rate to reduce uncertainty — ask specifically about this when requesting quotes.
Important: This article provides general guidance about NDIS compliance requirements. It is not legal or professional advice. Requirements may change as the NDIS Commission updates its policies and Practice Standards. Always verify current requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or a registered NDIS consultant before making compliance decisions.