Do SIL Providers Have to Be Registered in 2026? Mandatory Registration Explained

Yes. All providers delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) services must commence the registration process in line with the NDIS Commission’s transition requirements (still to be officially released) commencing on 1st July 2026. This includes providers who have previously operated as unregistered providers under plan management or self-management arrangements.

The NDIS Commission has announced from the 1st July 2026, transition to mandatory registration will commence and unregistered providers will no longer be able to deliver SIL supports. This is a significant change for the sector, as SIL has historically been available from both registered and unregistered providers. Under the new framework, SIL is classified as a high-risk support requiring mandatory registration, independent audits, and compliance with specific Practice Standards.

Providers who are not transitioning to mandatory registration on 1st July 2026 must cease delivering SIL services until their registration is approved.

What Are the New Practice Standards for SIL Providers?

The NDIS Practice Standards set out the quality and safety requirements that registered providers must meet. SIL providers must comply with the Core Module (applicable to all registered providers) plus any other supplementary module where supports are provided to participants: usually the High Intensity Daily Personal Activities Module and Implementing Behaviour Support Plans Module.

Core Module Requirements

All SIL providers must demonstrate compliance with the Core Module, which covers:

• Rights and responsibilities of participants
• Governance and operational management
• Provision of supports (including assessment, planning, and service agreements)
• Support provision environment (safe and accessible settings)
• Feedback and complaints management
• Incident management
• Human resource management (including worker screening)
• Information management

High Intensity Daily Personal Activities Module

Providers delivering High Intensity Daily Personal Activities, including within Supported Independent Living (SIL) settings, must demonstrate compliance with the High Intensity Daily Personal Activities Module. This module includes requirements for:

• Comprehensive assessment, planning, and delivery of high-intensity personal supports aligned to participants’ individual needs and NDIS plans
• Provision of personal care supports in a manner that is safe, person-centred, and respectful of dignity, privacy, and rights
• Mealtime management and nutrition supports, where required, including adherence to assessed swallowing or dietary needs
• Ongoing monitoring, documentation, and review of high-intensity supports and participant outcomes
• Responsive and flexible support delivery that adapts to changing health, functional, or personal care needs
• Clear processes for identifying, escalating, and responding to incidents, risks, or deterioration in a participant’s condition
• Ensuring workers delivering high-intensity supports are appropriately trained, competent, and supervised, with skills specific to the supports they provide

Implementing Behaviour Support Plans Module 

SIL providers delivering supports to participants with behaviour support needs must demonstrate compliance with the Implementing Behaviour Support Plans Module, which focuses on:

• Understanding and applying approved Behaviour Support Plans
• Supporting participants to reduce restrictive practices in line with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements
• Delivering supports that are person-centred, trauma-informed, and rights-based
• Ensuring positive behaviour support strategies are embedded into daily support delivery
• Monitoring, documenting, and reviewing behaviour support outcomes
• Recognising and responding appropriately to behaviours of concern
• Escalating concerns and incidents in accordance with incident management and reporting obligations
• Supporting participants to build skills, independence, and quality of life
• Working collaboratively with Behaviour Support Practitioners, families, and other stakeholders
• Ensuring workers are trained, competent, and supervised to implement Behaviour Support Plans safely and consistently

SIL-Specific Requirements

Beyond the standard modules, SIL providers face additional requirements related to:

• Shared living arrangements and compatibility assessments
• Participant choice and control in their living environment
• Individualised support within group settings
• Vacancy management that prioritises participant needs
• Supporting participants to develop independent living skills

What Does the Shift From Unregistered to Registered Mean?

Under the current system, unregistered providers delivering SIL services operate without oversight from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They are not required to meet Practice Standards, undergo audits, or demonstrate compliance with quality and safety requirements.

This is changing under the new graduated risk-proportionate registration model.

The Current Situation (Before 1st July 2026)

• Unregistered SIL providers can deliver services to participants with plan-managed or self-managed funding
• No requirement to meet NDIS Practice Standards
• No audits or compliance verification
• No direct oversight from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• Worker screening requirements may not be enforced

The New Requirement (From 1st July 2026)

• All SIL providers must commence transition to registration
• Mandatory compliance with NDIS Practice Standards
• Independent certification audits required before registration
• Ongoing surveillance audits to maintain registration
• Full oversight from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• Mandatory worker screening for all staff

What Is an Independent Audit?

An independent audit is conducted by an approved quality auditor who assesses whether a provider meets the NDIS Practice Standards. This involves:

Certification Audit (Initial Registration) A comprehensive assessment of policies, procedures, and practices against all applicable Practice Standards modules. Auditors review documentation, interview staff, and speak with participants to verify compliance.

Ongoing Audits Regular audits conducted during the registration period to confirm continued compliance. These are typically less comprehensive than certification audits but still involve document review and site visits.

Providers must engage an approved auditor from the list maintained by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Audit costs are the responsibility of the provider.

What Must Unregistered SIL Providers Do Now?

Providers currently delivering SIL services without registration need to take immediate action to meet the 1st July 2026 deadline.

Step 1: Conduct a Gap Analysis

Review your current policies, procedures, and practices against the NDIS Practice Standards. Identify areas where you do not meet requirements, including:

• Governance and management systems
• Incident management and reporting
• Complaints handling processes
• Worker screening and training
• Documentation and record keeping
• Participant rights and safeguarding

Step 2: Develop or Update Policies and Procedures

Create compliant documentation for all areas covered by the Practice Standards. This typically includes:

• Service agreements and participant information
• Incident management policy and procedures
• Complaints and feedback policy
• Human resources policies (recruitment, training, supervision)
• Work health and safety documentation
• Privacy and information management policies

Step 3: Implement Systems and Train Staff

Policies are only effective if implemented. Ensure your team understands and follows the new requirements. This includes:

• Training staff on Practice Standards requirements
• Implementing incident reporting systems
• Establishing quality improvement processes
• Conducting internal audits to test compliance

Step 4: Engage an Approved Auditor

Contact approved auditors early to secure an audit date. Auditor availability will become increasingly limited as the deadline approaches. Expect:

• Waiting times of several weeks to months for audit appointments
• The audit process itself taking several days to weeks
• Time required to address any non-conformances before certification

Step 5: Submit Your Registration Application

Submit your registration application to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and complete your audit. Allow additional time for the Commission to process your application based on the transition date of 1 July 2026.

Key Dates for SIL Provider Registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Can unregistered providers continue delivering SIL after 1 July 2026 if their registration is pending?

Yes. Providers must commence transition to registration in line with NDIS Commission requirements from the 1st July 2026. The NDIS Commission will enforce a determined date that unregistered providers will no longer be able to deliver SIL supports. 

How much does the audit process cost?

Audit costs vary depending on the size and complexity of your organisation. Certification audits for SIL providers typically cost several thousand dollars. Contact approved auditors directly for quotes.

What happens if a provider fails the audit?

Auditors may issue non-conformances (minor or major) that must be addressed before certification. Minor non-conformances can often be resolved quickly. Major non-conformances may require significant changes and a follow-up audit, adding time and cost to the process.

Do providers need separate registration for each SIL location?

No. Registration covers the provider organisation, not individual locations. However, all locations must meet the Practice Standards, and auditors may visit multiple sites during the audit process.