The template (free to copy)
Fill in the details, go through it together with the participant or their representative, then both sign and keep a copy each.
What to include in a service agreement
Keep it plain and specific. Each section is there to prevent a misunderstanding later:
- Parties. Your name and ABN, the participant, and their representative if someone signs on their behalf.
- Supports. What you will actually do, so expectations are clear on both sides.
- Rates and payment. Your hourly rates, any travel or expenses, and how the participant's plan is managed, which decides who you invoice.
- Cancellations. Your notice period and any short-notice terms, in line with the current NDIS pricing arrangements. This is the clause people get wrong most often, so there is a full walkthrough in our NDIS cancellation policy guide for independent support workers, including the notice periods and what you can actually charge.
- Responsibilities and privacy. What each of you agrees to, and how you keep their information safe.
- Changing or ending it. The notice either side gives, so no one is left stuck.
How the key sections look filled in
A short, de-identified example of the sections people most often ask about:
Supports to be provided: Community access support on Mondays and Wednesdays, around four hours each, to work toward the participant's goal of using public transport independently. In-home support with meal preparation on Fridays.
Rates: $X per hour on weekdays, at the rate for the day and time worked. Travel with the participant is charged per kilometre. Any agreed expenses are added at cost with a receipt.
Cancellations: Please give as much notice as you can. Short-notice cancellations are charged in line with the current NDIS pricing arrangements for this support.
Ending the agreement: Either of us can end this agreement with two weeks' written notice. We can also agree to change it at any time in writing.
After it is signed
Once the agreement is signed, store it in Sparks Scribe's Document Vault so it lives with your notes and invoices, then invoice at your agreed rates with the right NDIS support code applied for you. Sparks Scribe starts at $15 a month, with a 14-day free trial and no card. See how the apps handle service agreements.
Get the editable Word version
Want to fill in your own details and rates? Grab the editable Word file, free. Add your email and your download opens straight away.
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Is this service agreement template NDIS approved or legally binding?
No, and it is worth being clear about why. There is no such thing as official NDIS certification for a service agreement template, or for an app. Nothing here is endorsed or approved by the NDIA, and anyone telling you their template is "NDIS approved" is describing something that does not exist.
What the agreement is instead is a private contract between you and the participant, which means it carries whatever weight a written agreement between two parties carries. That is exactly why it is worth getting right rather than downloading and signing. Before you use one with a participant, have it checked by a solicitor or your industry association so it fits your situation and actually covers you.
Frequently asked questions
Is this service agreement template NDIS approved?
No. There is no official NDIS certification for service agreement templates or for apps, and nothing here is endorsed or approved by the NDIA. It is a starting point for a private agreement between you and the participant, and it is worth having checked by a solicitor or your industry association.
Do NDIS participants need a service agreement?
It is not legally required for every support, but it is strongly recommended and often expected, especially for plan-managed and self-managed participants. It sets expectations and protects both you and the participant.
What should an NDIS service agreement include?
The parties, the supports you will provide, your rates, how you will be paid, cancellations, each side's responsibilities, privacy, and how the agreement can be changed or ended.
Can a sole trader support worker write their own service agreement?
Yes. It is a private agreement between you and the participant. This template is a starting point, not legal advice, so adjust it to your situation.
How should I handle cancellations?
Set a clear notice period, and any short-notice terms in line with the current NDIS pricing arrangements for the support you provide.
Where do I keep the signed agreement?
Keep it securely and give the participant a copy. A document vault in an app like Sparks Scribe keeps it with your other records.