Participant Enquiries
Mandatory Registration for SIL Providers: What NDIS Participants Need to Know
Empowrd • February 3, 2026
From 1 July 2026, all organisations delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports under the NDIS will be required to be formally registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
This is a major regulatory reform. While it primarily affects providers, it’s also important for participants and their support networks to understand what’s changing and what to expect.
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
SIL is an NDIS support category designed for participants who require significant daily assistance and supervision in a shared living arrangement. It typically includes help with:
- Personal care (showering, dressing, hygiene)
- Daily living tasks (cooking, cleaning)
- Supervision and support to live as independently as possible
In many cases, SIL arrangements are vital to a participant’s daily life and safety.
What’s Changing — and Why It Matters
In December 2025, the Minister for the NDIS and the NDIS Commission confirmed that:
- All SIL providers delivering NDIS‑funded SIL supports
- All platform providers (digital or tech‑based services that connect participants to workers)
will be required to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission from 1 July 2026.
This means that providers who are not registered will no longer be able to deliver SIL-funded supports after this date.
Registration includes:
- Quality assurance
- Worker screening
- Audits and reporting
- Compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards
Why Is Registration Becoming Mandatory?
The shift is part of a broader effort to improve safety, quality, and accountability in the NDIS.
The NDIS Commission and the Federal Government have said the changes will:
- Increase
regulatory oversight of high‑risk supports
- Improve
participant safety and consistency
- Ensure providers meet
national quality and safeguarding standards
- Provide clearer accountability when things go wrong
These reforms follow recommendations from major reviews, including the NDIS Review,
the Disability Royal Commission, and the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
For Participants
- Your
funding and eligibility will not change.
- You can continue receiving SIL, but your
provider must be registered from 1 July 2026.
- If your current provider is not registered, they need to transition or stop delivering SIL
You don’t need to take action now, but it’s a good idea to ask your provider about their plans and speak to your Support Coordinator if you're unsure.
For Providers
- Providers must prepare for the transition period (through 2026).
- They will need to meet quality standards, pass audits, and demonstrate compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards relevant to SIL.
Addressing Participant Concerns
Any shift in regulation raises concerns about choice and control, core principles of the NDIS.
Some participants fear stricter registration could reduce access to providers they trust, particularly in rural and regional areas where unregistered or small providers play a big role.
However, the stated aim of mandatory registration is not to restrict choice but to ensure all providers meet consistent standards of safety and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this change affect me as an NDIS participant?
Not directly. The change applies to providers, not participants. Your funding and plan goals remain the same.
Do all workers in a SIL home need to be registered?
If they are delivering supports funded under SIL — yes.
They must work under a registered SIL provider organisation after 1 July 2026.
What about personal care that’s not part of SIL?
Some participants receive personal care through Core Supports (e.g. Assistance with Daily Living). If this care is not funded under SIL, it may not be subject to the registration requirement, but we’re still waiting for further guidance from the NDIS Commission to confirm the details.
Can independent support workers still support me?
If they work under a registered SIL provider, yes.
If they’re working independently and delivering SIL-funded supports, they cannot continue doing so after July 2026. Talk to your provider or Support Coordinator to plan ahead.
Will I need to switch providers?
Not necessarily. Many current SIL providers are preparing to register. The best next step is to ask your provider if they’re registering.
Final Thoughts
This is not a funding change; it’s a safeguarding and quality reform for providers delivering complex supports. It’s designed to improve safety, transparency, and consistency in shared living environments across the NDIS.
If you’re a participant, the best thing you can do now is:
- Ask your SIL provider if they’re planning to register
- Talk with your Support Coordinator
- Stay up to date as the NDIS Commission releases further guidance in 2026
NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination
At Empowrd, we are here to make your life easier. Based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, we offer a personal, accessible and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We provide Plan Management services across Australia, assisting with financial administration, and offer Support Coordination to participants in Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula, connecting them with the right supports and providers. Our goal is to ensure your NDIS plan works for you, so you can focus on achieving your goals and doing what you love.
Want to Become a Support Worker?
Our Independent Support Workers Education Portal provides everything you need to navigate the NDIS, find work, and confidently offer services as an Independent Support Worker. For just $65, you will gain access to comprehensive guides, essential resources, and ready-to-use templates to streamline your work.
Inside, you will find:
- A clear breakdown of how the NDIS works
- Tips for finding jobs and delivering services
- Step-by-step guidance on invoicing and support planning
- Ready-to-edit templates for quotes, service agreements, invoices, and case notes
Need just the templates? You can also purchase them separately as standalone resources.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
If you are ready to be Empowrd to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path.
Feeling overwhelmed as a carer? Emergency respite through Carer Gateway provides temporary care so you can rest and recover. Read more.
Emergencies can happen with little warning, and for people with disability the impact can be severe. Learn how to plan ahead and protect your supports.
Learn how disability parking permits work in Australia, who is eligible, and how to apply. Includes the Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS) and NDIS guidance.
NDIS Capacity Building funding supports independence and skill development. Understand the 8 Capacity Building support categories and how they align with your NDIS plan goals.
A step-by-step guide to NDIS Participant Support Plans. Learn what to include, why they matter, and how to use them to improve your support and planning.
Learn how the NDIS can support diabetes management if your disability makes self-care harder. Understand what’s funded and how to apply.
Find out if the NDIS funds gym memberships, support workers at the gym, or home exercise equipment and what to include in your planning meeting.
Understand what "Assistance with Daily Life" means in your NDIS plan. Learn what support workers can help with, how to use Core Supports, and how to explain your daily living needs.
In 2025, the NDIS renamed Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short Term Respite (STR) to clarify its purpose. Learn what’s changed, how to use STR correctly.
Be EMPOWRD to Live Your Best Life
If you’re ready to be empowered to live life on your terms, we’re here to help guide the way. At Empowrd, we offer a personal, accessible, and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination. We’ll ensure your plan works for you, allowing you to focus on your goals and the things you love most.
