Most NDIS providers grow through referrals and word of mouth. But even a warm referral usually ends with the same step: someone searches your name, or searches for the support they need, and looks at what comes up. If your business is hard to find or your website does not answer their questions, that referral can quietly go somewhere else.
Here is how participants, families and support coordinators tend to find providers online, and the practical steps that help you show up.
Where people look for NDIS providers
Google search and Google Maps
Searches like “support coordination near me”, “occupational therapist NDIS Frankston” or “SIL provider Brisbane” show a map with local businesses, then regular results underneath. Your Google Business Profile drives the map results; your website drives the rest.
Support coordinators and plan managers
Coordinators often shortlist providers for participants. They are busy, so they look for clear information fast: what you offer, where you work, whether you have capacity, whether you are registered and how to make a referral.
The NDIS Provider Finder
Registered providers can appear in the NDIS Provider Finder, which participants can search by support type and location. Keep your details there current, and make sure they match your website.
Directories, platforms and community groups
Disability-focused directories, review sites and local community groups on social media are also common starting points. Each listing is another chance to be found, and another link back to your website.
How to show up when people search
1. Set up and complete your Google Business Profile
Choose accurate categories, list each support as a service, add your service areas, opening hours and real photos, and post updates occasionally. If you visit clients rather than having them come to you, you can hide your address and show a service area instead.
2. Give each support and area its own page
One “Services” page listing everything is hard for Google to match to specific searches. A separate, plain-language page for each support (and for the main areas you cover) gives you a far better chance of appearing for searches like “community access Geelong”.
3. Answer the questions coordinators ask
- Which supports do you provide, and for whom?
- Which suburbs or regions do you cover?
- Are you registered or unregistered, and which plan types do you work with?
- Do you have current capacity or a waitlist?
- How do I make a referral, and how quickly will you respond?
- How can someone give feedback or make a complaint?
4. Make your website accessible
Your audience includes people with a wide range of disabilities and the people who support them. Strong contrast, readable type, keyboard navigation, captions and plain language are not extras. They are part of showing you understand the people you support. Accessible sites also tend to be clearer and faster, which helps with search too.
5. Collect genuine reviews
Reviews on your Google Business Profile influence both rankings and trust. Ask happy participants and families if they are comfortable leaving one, make it easy with a direct link, and reply to every review respectfully, without sharing personal details. If you or your team are registered health practitioners, check the AHPRA advertising guidelines first, as they restrict how testimonials can be used.
6. Keep your details consistent everywhere
Your business name, phone number and service area should match across your website, Google Business Profile, the Provider Finder and every directory. Inconsistent details make it harder for Google to trust your listing.
7. Make your site fast on mobile
Many people search on their phone. A slow, cluttered site loses them in seconds. Compress images, keep pages simple and make the phone number and referral form easy to tap.
Where to start
If you only do three things this month: complete your Google Business Profile, create a page for each of your main supports, and add a simple referral form. Then build from there.
If you would like help, we build accessible NDIS provider websites and run SEO for NDIS providers month to month. Not sure where you stand? Start with a free SEO audit.