The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is launching its new online portal on Monday, 12 October 2026, with changes to how registered NDIS providers manage applications, reportable incidents, worker screening and other regulatory activities.
With temporary system outages scheduled from Friday, 9 October, providers have limited time to review outstanding work before the transition.
One particularly important change concerns draft applications and behaviour support plans. Some drafts left in the existing system will be removed when the new portal launches.
Here’s what providers need to know about the upcoming changes, which activities are affected and how to prepare.
When does the new NDIS Commission Portal launch?
The new NDIS Commission Portal is scheduled to launch on Monday, 12 October 2026.
The Commission has announced the following temporary outages to support the transition.
Scheduled NDIS Commission Portal outages
| Date and time (AEDT) | Affected systems |
|---|---|
| Friday 9 October, 8 pm to Sunday 11 October, 10 pm | Registered Providers and Applications portals |
| Sunday 11 October, 7 am to 10 am | All other NDIS Commission portals |
| Monday 12 October | New NDIS Commission Portal launches |
Providers should complete time-sensitive tasks before the relevant outage begins, where possible.
The Commission has advised that it will provide updates if the planned outage schedule changes.
Official source: NDIS Commission Preparation Checklist
What is changing with the new NDIS Commission Portal?
The new portal is part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s digital transformation program.
It introduces a new online system for managing several regulatory activities, including:
- Provider registration and re-registration
- Reportable incidents
- Worker screening
- Behaviour support plans and restrictive practice reporting
- Certain audit activities
- Changes or events affecting provider registration
However, the transition does not mean every existing record or activity will automatically move to the new portal.
From 12 October, registered providers will need to use both the new and existing portals.
Generally, new work will begin in the new portal, while certain activities already underway will continue in the existing system.
The correct portal will depend on the task and when it was started.
Important: What happens to draft applications and behaviour support plans?
This is one of the most important things for providers to check before the transition.
The Commission has confirmed that some unfinished drafts will be removed from the existing system on 12 October.
Draft new registration applications
Draft applications for new provider registration that have not been submitted before the transition will be removed.
However, new registration applications submitted before 12 October will remain in the existing portal.
Draft renewal applications
Draft re-registration or renewal applications will not be removed.
Both draft and submitted renewal applications already in the existing system will remain there until finalised.
Draft behaviour support plans
Draft behaviour support plans left in the existing portal on 12 October will be removed and cannot be recovered.
Providers with unfinished behaviour support plans should review the Commission’s guidance and submit relevant drafts before the transition.
This distinction matters because not all draft work will be handled in the same way.
Official source: Checklist: What to Do Before 12 October
Which NDIS provider activities will move to the new portal?
The Commission has published specific guidance explaining which system providers should use after 12 October.
Provider registration and renewals
The new portal will be used for new registration applications, new renewal applications and notifications of changes or events affecting registration.
Applications submitted before 12 October will continue in the existing system.
Draft renewal applications already underway will also remain in the existing portal.
Reportable incidents
New reportable incidents lodged from 12 October will be managed through the new portal.
Incidents lodged before the transition will stay in the existing system, including outstanding five-day reports, final reports and responses to requests for information.
These existing incidents will not be transferred to the new portal.
Worker screening
From 12 October, registered providers will use the new portal for worker screening activities, including verification requests, linking and unlinking workers, and managing worker records.
Behaviour support and restrictive practices
New behaviour support plans will be lodged through the new portal.
For plans lodged from 12 October, the new system will also support related activities such as monthly reporting and uploading evidence of restrictive practice authorisation.
However, monthly reporting for behaviour support plans lodged before 12 October will continue in the existing portal.
Audits
Audits started before 12 October will generally remain in the existing portal until completed.
Periodic audits with a scheduled start date from 12 October will move to the new portal.
Periodic audits due from 12 October that have not yet been scheduled must be booked through the new portal.
Providers should check the guidance relevant to their individual audit arrangements.
Official source: NDIS Commission: Which Portal Do I Use?
What should NDIS providers do before 12 October?
With the transition approaching, the priority is making sure important work is not interrupted or lost.
1. Review outstanding applications
Check any registration applications or renewal applications currently underway.
Identify which tasks need to be completed before the transition and which can continue in the existing system.
Pay particular attention to unfinished new registration applications.
2. Check draft behaviour support plans
Review behaviour support plans that have been started but not submitted.
The Commission has specifically advised that drafts remaining in the existing portal on 12 October will be removed and cannot be recovered.
3. Prepare staff for the new portal
Make sure employees responsible for regulatory activities understand the upcoming changes.
This may include staff who manage:
- Worker screening
- Reportable incidents
- Behaviour support lodgements
- Restrictive practice reporting
- Provider registration and renewals
The Commission previously asked providers to review their user lists and complete account changes by 1 October 2026.
As that date has passed, providers should be aware that changes made in the existing portal after 1 October may not appear in the new system when it launches.
Existing active staff accounts will be set up in the new portal, but staff roles will not necessarily transfer on a one-to-one basis.
From 12 October, providers should review staff roles and permissions in the new portal and make any necessary adjustments.
4. Understand which portal to use
Some activities will move to the new portal, while others will continue in the existing system.
Providers should familiarise themselves with the Commission’s task-specific guidance before starting new work.
5. Plan around the scheduled outages
Where possible, complete urgent regulatory tasks before the outage period begins.
Providers should also allow time to familiarise themselves with the new portal after launch.
Will NDIS provider obligations change?
No. The new portal does not change existing provider obligations or the NDIS Practice Standards.
Registered NDIS providers must continue meeting their responsibilities relating to quality, safeguarding, incident reporting, worker screening and other applicable requirements.
The transition changes the systems used to complete certain regulatory activities, rather than the standards providers are expected to meet.
Does the new NDIS Commission Portal affect participants?
The portal launch is primarily an administrative and regulatory change for providers.
It does not, by itself, change participants’ NDIS plans, funding or eligibility.
The new NDIS Commission Portal is also separate from the NDIA’s my NDIS participant portal.
For participants and families, the key distinction is that the Commission’s new system relates to provider regulation and safeguarding rather than the management of individual NDIS plans.
Official resources for NDIS providers
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has published resources to help providers prepare for the transition.
NDIS Commission Portal Preparation Checklist
Outage dates, preparation steps and important information about unfinished work.
Task-specific guidance explaining what moves to the new portal and what stays in existing systems.
New NDIS Commission Portal Provider Toolkit
Guides, videos and other resources to help providers understand the new system.
Staying informed about NDIS changes
For NDIS providers, preparing for regulatory changes is an important part of maintaining effective and compliant services.
The introduction of the new NDIS Commission Portal is a timely reminder to review outstanding work, keep staff informed and use official guidance when managing regulatory responsibilities.
At DisabilityCo, we remain committed to delivering quality, person-centred disability support across Melbourne while staying informed about changes affecting the NDIS sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new NDIS Commission Portal launch?
The new portal is scheduled to launch on Monday, 12 October 2026.
Will the old NDIS Commission Portal still be available?
Yes. Registered providers will use both systems during the transition. Some work already underway will continue in the existing portal.
What happens to draft registration applications?
Draft new registration applications left in the existing portal on 12 October will be removed. Draft renewal applications will remain available.
Will draft behaviour support plans transfer to the new portal?
No. Draft behaviour support plans remaining in the existing portal on 12 October will be removed and cannot be recovered.
Do NDIS providers need to create new staff accounts?
Existing active staff accounts will be set up in the new portal. However, providers should check staff roles and permissions after launch because roles do not transfer directly between the two systems.
Are NDIS Practice Standards changing?
No. The portal transition does not change existing NDIS Practice Standards or provider obligations.