A major regulatory change is coming to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). From 1 July 2026, all organisations delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports will be required to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in order to continue providing services.
The change is part of a broader effort to strengthen quality, safety and accountability across the NDIS. SIL supports involve ongoing assistance in a participant’s home, often delivered around the clock. Because of the complexity and importance of these supports, regulators are introducing stronger oversight to ensure providers meet consistent national standards.
What the New Registration Requirement Means
Under the new rules, any provider delivering NDIS-funded SIL services must be formally registered with the Commission. This includes traditional disability support organisations as well as newer service models, such as digital platforms that connect participants with support workers.
Registration brings SIL providers under the same regulatory framework as other registered NDIS providers. This means organisations must meet defined operational, safety and governance requirements in order to deliver services.
Key Compliance Requirements
To maintain registration, SIL providers will need to meet several core obligations, including:
Independent quality audits
Providers must undergo periodic audits to demonstrate they meet the NDIS Practice Standards and maintain safe service delivery.
Worker screening requirements
All workers delivering SIL-funded supports must pass the NDIS worker screening process, ensuring they are suitable to work with people with disability.
Practice standards compliance
Registered providers must comply with the NDIS Practice Standards, which outline expectations around service quality, participant rights, risk management and governance. Additional SIL-specific practice standards are currently being developed.
Incident management and reporting
Providers must implement formal incident management systems and report certain serious events—known as reportable incidents—to the Commission.
Participant feedback and complaints processes
Registered providers must maintain transparent systems that allow participants and families to raise concerns and provide feedback safely.
Who Will Be Affected?
The mandatory registration requirement applies broadly across the sector.
All SIL providers must register, regardless of their size, organisational structure or the number of participants they support.
Platform providers, including digital services that connect participants with independent support workers, will also be required to register if they facilitate SIL supports.
This expansion of regulation aims to ensure consistent safety standards across both traditional and emerging service delivery models.
Support Coordination Update
While the government previously proposed mandatory registration for support coordinators, that change has been paused as of early 2026 while further policy work is undertaken.
Implementation Timeline
The transition toward mandatory registration is already underway.
- February 2026: Policy development and market readiness activities begin.
- Early 2026: The NDIS Commission is expected to release additional guidance for providers preparing for registration.
- 1 July 2026: Mandatory registration for SIL providers officially takes effect.
What This Means for Participants
For NDIS participants receiving Supported Independent Living supports, the change is intended to improve service quality and oversight. Registered providers must meet clear safety and accountability requirements, which can help strengthen trust and transparency across the sector.
Participants currently receiving SIL supports may wish to check whether their provider plans to register before the July 2026 deadline.
As the sector prepares for the transition, providers, participants and families are encouraged to stay informed about the new requirements and upcoming guidance from the regulator.