Preparing for Your NDIS Audit: Practical Steps for Small and Medium Providers

Preparing for an NDIS audit can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or if past experiences have been stressful. But with the right approach, you can turn that anxiety into confidence. This guide offers clear, practical steps to help small and medium NDIS providers get ready for their upcoming audit. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare will make the process smoother and help you demonstrate your commitment to quality and participant safety.

What Is an NDIS Audit and Why It Matters

An NDIS audit is a formal review of your organisation’s compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. These standards ensure providers deliver safe, high-quality services that support participants’ goals and wellbeing. Audits exist to protect participants and encourage continuous improvement in service delivery.

Many providers worry about “failing” an audit or getting caught out by missing paperwork. These fears often come from misunderstandings about the audit process. The truth is audits are designed to be fair and supportive. Good preparation reduces stress and helps you show your strengths clearly.

Know Your Audit Type and What It Covers

There are two main types of NDIS audits:

• Verification audits: These are shorter and focus on basic compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards relevant to your registration groups. They are often for new or smaller providers.

• Certification audits: These are more detailed and cover all applicable standards. They usually apply to larger or more complex providers.

  
  

Your audit scope depends on the registration groups you hold and the associated Practice Standards. The audit body will send you an audit plan outlining what will be reviewed and sampled. Read this carefully so you know exactly what to expect.

Organise Your Documents and Evidence

Evidence is the backbone of your audit. It shows auditors how your organisation meets the standards in practice. Evidence can include:

• Policies and procedures

• Participant records and support plans

• Staff training and qualifications

• Incident and complaint records

• Meeting minutes and continuous improvement logs

• Risk management plans

  
  

Gather these documents well before the audit. Use clear filing systems, whether digital or physical, so you can quickly find what auditors ask for. Remember, evidence doesn’t have to be perfect but should be accurate and up to date.

Prepare Your Team and Communicate Clearly

Your staff play a key role in the audit. They may be interviewed or asked to explain how they follow procedures. Prepare your team by:

• Explaining the audit purpose and process in simple terms

• Reviewing key policies and their roles in compliance

• Encouraging honesty and openness during auditor questions

• Practising common questions or scenarios

  
  

Clear communication reduces anxiety and helps everyone feel ready. It also shows auditors your organisation values transparency and teamwork.

Conduct a Self-Assessment and Mock Audit

Before the official audit, do a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards. Identify any gaps or areas needing improvement. You can also run a mock audit with a trusted colleague or consultant. This practice helps you:

• Spot missing evidence or unclear processes

• Build confidence in answering auditor questions

• Test your document organisation and retrieval

  
  

Address any issues you find early. This proactive approach improves your chances of a smooth audit.

During the Audit: Stay Calm and Focused

On audit day, keep these tips in mind:

• Be punctual and organised

• Provide requested documents promptly

• Answer questions honestly and clearly

• If you don’t know an answer, say so and offer to follow up

• Take notes on any feedback or requests

  
  

Remember, auditors want to see your commitment to quality, not perfection. They understand challenges and look for genuine efforts to meet standards.

After the Audit: Use Feedback to Improve

Once the audit is complete, you will receive a report detailing findings. Use this as a tool for continuous improvement. If there are non-compliance issues, develop an action plan to address them promptly.

Regularly review your policies and practices to stay audit-ready. This ongoing work benefits your participants and strengthens your organisation.

Organised NDIS audit documents ready for review

Practical NDIS Audit Preparation Checklist

• Review your audit plan and understand the scope

• Gather and organise all relevant documents and evidence

• Explain the audit process to your team and prepare them

• Conduct a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards

• Run a mock audit to identify gaps and practice responses

• Prepare a quiet, organised space for the audit

• Stay calm and communicate clearly during the audit

• Review the audit report and implement improvements