SIL Registration Checklist: What Unregistered Providers Need Before July 2026
IIf you are currently delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) services without NDIS registration, this checklist outlines the key actions you should take to prepare for mandatory registration requirements commencing on 1 July 2026.
From 1 July 2026, SIL will become a mandatory registration support under the new Registration Group 0138 – Supported Independent Living. The introduction of Registration Group 0138 is accompanied by new SIL-specific Practice Standards that providers will be required to meet in addition to the NDIS Core Module requirements.
1 July 2026 marks the commencement of mandatory registration requirements and the beginning of the formal transition period. It is not a requirement for all existing unregistered SIL providers to hold a Certificate of Registration by 1 July 2026.
The NDIS Commission has established transition arrangements that allow eligible unregistered providers who are already delivering SIL supports before 1 July 2026 to continue operating while progressing through the registration process, provided they submit their registration application within the required timeframe.
Current unregistered SIL providers must apply for registration under Registration Group 0138 by 1 October 2026. Providers that have not commenced the registration process by this date will be unable to continue delivering SIL supports.
Providers that are not currently delivering SIL supports and wish to commence providing SIL services after 1 July 2026 must obtain registration under Registration Group 0138 before delivering SIL supports.
For providers that are already registered with the NDIS Commission and delivering SIL supports under Registration Group 0115 – Daily Tasks/Shared Living, the NDIS Commission has advised that they will automatically transition to Registration Group 0138 – Supported Independent Living. These providers will be expected to comply with the new SIL Practice Standards and should begin reviewing their governance, operational systems, workforce capability, participant safeguards, and service delivery models in preparation for future audit and certification requirements.
Given the time required to review governance arrangements, implement compliant systems, align policies and procedures with the SIL Practice Standards, undertake certification audits, and complete the NDIS registration process, providers should commence preparation as early as possible rather than waiting until transition deadlines approach.
Discover our essential guide to SIL registration for providers and coordinators to understand key SIL requirements.
What Makes SIL Registration Different?
SIL is classified as a high-risk support under the NDIS. This means:
SIL is classified as a high-risk support under the NDIS. This means:
- You must complete a certification audit (not verification)
- You must comply with the Core Module, the SIL Practice Standards plus supplementary modules
- Auditors will conduct on-site assessments at your SIL properties
- Auditors will interview participants, staff, and management
- You need implemented systems with evidence, not just written policies
Unregistered providers who have operated without oversight face a significant shift. You will need to demonstrate that your governance, risk management, incident reporting, and workforce systems meet the NDIS Practice Standards before you can continue delivering SIL.
Explore our SIL operational guidelines for NDIS providers.
Practice Standards Modules for SIL Providers
SIL providers must demonstrate compliance with multiple NDIS Practice Standards modules.
Core Module (All Providers)
The Core Module applies to every registered provider and covers:
- Rights and responsibilities of participants
- Governance and operational management
- Provision of supports
- Support provision environment
- Feedback and complaints management
- Incident management
- Human resource management
- Information management
- Mealtime management and nutrition supports (where required)
- Medication management
Beyond the Core Module
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
- Supported decision-making and dignity of risk
- Participant rights, privacy, autonomy and control within the home
- Safeguarding participants from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying and conflict within shared living environments
- Trauma-informed, person-centred and evidence-based support practices
- Active support approaches that maximise participant independence and skill development
- Participant involvement in decisions regarding co-tenants, household arrangements and shared spaces
- Tenancy security and clear separation of housing and support arrangements
- Access to independent advocacy and mechanisms that support participant voice and choice
- Emergency and disaster planning that reflects the individual needs and preferences of participants
- Workforce capability in areas such as supported decision-making, active support, trauma-informed practice, positive behaviour support and safeguarding
Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
Most SIL providers deliver high-intensity supports and must comply with this module, which covers:
- Assessment, planning, and delivery of high-intensity personal supports
- Safe personal care that respects dignity and privacy
- Ongoing monitoring and documentation
- Responsive support delivery that adapts to changing needs
- Incident escalation and response
- Worker training, competency, and supervision
Module 2a: Implementing Behaviour Support Plans
If you support participants with restrictive practices, you must comply with this module, which covers:
- Understanding and applying approved Behaviour Support Plans
- Reducing restrictive practices in line with NDIS Commission requirements
- Person-centred, trauma-informed, rights-based support delivery
- Embedding positive behaviour support strategies
- Monitoring and reviewing behaviour support outcomes
- Recognising and responding to behaviours of concern
- Incident escalation and reporting
- Collaboration with Behaviour Support Practitioners
- Worker training and supervision for implementing Behaviour Support Plans
New Practice Standards for SIL
The NDIS Commission has released the DRAFT Practice Standards specific to Supported Independent Living, with a focus on improving quality and safety in shared accommodation settings, strengthening oversight of daily support delivery, and enhancing worker training requirements and audit expectations.
The Draft SIL Practice Standards place a strong emphasis on participant choice and control, supported decision-making, compatibility in shared living arrangements, participant safeguarding, tenancy rights, active support, dignity of risk, and the development of independent living skills. Providers will be expected to demonstrate that participants are actively involved in decisions about their home, supports, relationships, routines and community participation.
The draft standards also reinforce the principle that a SIL residence is the participant's home first and foremost. Providers will need to demonstrate how they protect participant privacy, autonomy, personal relationships, visitor access, and the right to make informed decisions about daily life.
Additional expectations within the draft standards include formal compatibility assessments, participant involvement in vacancy management decisions, tailored emergency planning, strengthened workforce competency requirements, and evidence that support models are promoting independence, inclusion and quality of life outcomes.
Assess Your Readiness
Use this summary to assess where you stand across the 16 key areas auditors will examine:
If you have multiple areas marked "Not Started" or "Partial", you need to begin preparation immediately.
Complete SIL Registration Checklist
Use this checklist to assess your readiness and work through each section systematically. Explore our Complete guide to mandatory SIL registration.
1. Governance and Organisational Structure
Documents and evidence required:
- Organisational chart showing current structure and reporting lines
- Position descriptions for all roles (including Board/Directors if applicable)
- Evidence of defined roles and responsibilities for key personnel
- Evidence of management meetings and documented decisions
- Strategic plan or business plan demonstrating organisational direction
- Constitution or governing rules (for incorporated entities)
- Evidence of active Board or governance oversight (for larger organisations)
- Conflict of interest register and management process
- Delegation of authority framework
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How does your governance structure provide oversight of SIL services?
- How do you ensure accountability for participant safety?
- How are strategic decisions made and communicated?
2. Business Registration and Compliance
Documents and evidence required:
- ABN registration
- ASIC company extract (if applicable)
- Trust deed (if operating as a trust)
- Evidence of compliance with state/territory business registration requirements
- Evidence of compliance with any sector-specific registration (e.g. community housing registration if applicable)
3. Insurance
Documents and evidence required:
- Public liability insurance certificate (minimum $10 million recommended for SIL)
- Professional indemnity insurance certificate
- Workers compensation insurance (if employing staff)
- Property insurance (if you own or lease SIL properties)
- Evidence that insurance coverage is appropriate for SIL service delivery
4. Policies and Procedures
SIL providers need a comprehensive policy suite covering all NDIS Practice Standards. Each policy must be:
- Specific to your organisation (not generic templates)
- Reflective of how you actually operate
- Implemented with evidence of use
- Reviewed regularly (at least annually)
- Understood by workers and translated into day-to-day practice
- Reviewed following incidents, complaints, participant feedback, legislative changes, or significant organisational changes
Core policies required:
- Governance policy
- Risk management policy and procedure
- Quality management and continuous improvement policy
- Privacy and confidentiality policy
- Information management policy
- Feedback and complaints policy and procedure
- Incident management policy and procedure (including reportable incidents)
- Human resources policy
- Recruitment and selection procedure
- Worker induction procedure
- Training and development policy
- Supervision policy and procedure
- Performance management procedure
- Code of conduct
- Work health and safety policy
- Emergency and disaster management policy
- Continuity of supports policy
- Safeguarding policy
- Participant Rights and Dignity policy
- Advocacy and Participant Engagement policy
SIL-specific policies required:
- SIL service delivery policy
- Participant intake and assessment procedure
- Service agreement procedure
- Support planning procedure
- Shared living arrangements and compatibility assessment procedure
- Participant rights and choice policy
- Mealtime management procedure (if applicable)
- Medication management procedure (if applicable)
- Restrictive practices policy and procedure (if applicable)
- Behaviour support implementation procedure (if applicable)
- Overnight and sleepover support procedure (if applicable)
- Participant money and property policy (if managing participant funds)
- Vacancy management procedure
5. Risk Management
Documents and evidence required:
- Risk management framework
- Risk register with identified risks, assessments, and treatments
- Evidence of regular risk register reviews (at least quarterly)
- Evidence of how risks are escalated and managed
- SIL-specific risks identified (e.g. shared living, participant compatibility, staffing continuity)
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do you identify and manage risks in your SIL services?
- What are the biggest risks in your SIL operations and how do you mitigate them?
- How do you monitor whether risk controls are working?
6. Quality Management
Documents and evidence required:
- Quality management framework
- Internal audit schedule and reports
- Evidence of continuous improvement actions taken
- Participant feedback collection and analysis
- Quality improvement register or action log
- Evidence of regular service delivery reviews
- Key performance indicators for SIL services
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do you know if your SIL services are delivering good outcomes?
- Give an example of an improvement you made based on feedback or audit findings.
7. Complaints Management
Documents and evidence required:
- Complaints policy and procedure
- Complaints register with all complaints logged
- Evidence of complaint investigations and outcomes
- Evidence outcomes were communicated to complainants
- Evidence of systemic improvements following complaints
- Information provided to participants about how to make complaints
- Easy-read or accessible complaints information for participants
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do participants know how to make a complaint?
- Walk me through how a recent complaint was handled.
8. Incident Management
This is a critical area for SIL providers. Auditors will scrutinise your incident management closely.
Documents and evidence required:
- Incident management policy and procedure
- Incident register with all incidents logged
- Evidence of incident investigations with root cause analysis
- Corrective actions documented and implemented
- Evidence of reportable incidents notified to NDIS Commission within required timeframes (24 hours for most reportable incidents)
- Evidence of staff training on incident identification and reporting
- Incident trend analysis and reporting to management
- Evidence incidents inform risk register and quality improvement
Reportable incidents include:
- Death of a participant
- Serious injury of a participant
- Abuse or neglect of a participant
- Unlawful sexual or physical contact
- Sexual misconduct
- Unauthorised use of restrictive practices
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do staff know what to report and when?
- Show me how a recent incident was managed from identification to resolution.
- How do you ensure reportable incidents are notified within 24 hours?
9. Worker Screening
All workers delivering SIL supports must have a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. This is mandatory.
Documents and evidence required:
- Register of all workers (employees, contractors, volunteers)
- Current NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance for every worker
- System for tracking clearance expiry dates
- Process for verifying clearances before workers commence
- Evidence clearances are checked before workers have contact with participants
Important notes:
- Processing times vary by state (typically 2 to 6 weeks, but can be longer)
- Workers cannot deliver supports until clearance is received
- You must verify clearances yourself (do not rely on worker self-declaration)
10. Staff Training and Competency
Documents and evidence required:
- Training register for all workers
- Evidence of NDIS Worker Orientation Module completion for all workers
- Induction records for all workers
- Role-specific training records
- Evidence of competency assessment for high-risk tasks
- Ongoing professional development records
- Signed code of conduct acknowledgements
SIL-specific training should include:
- Manual handling and personal care
- Mealtime management (if supporting participants with swallowing difficulties)
- Medication administration (if applicable)
- Behaviour support and de-escalation
- Restrictive practices (if authorised to use)
- First aid and emergency response
- Infection control
- Fire safety and evacuation
- Participant rights and dignity
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Incident identification and reporting
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do you ensure workers have the skills to support participants safely?
- How do you assess competency for high-risk tasks like medication administration?
11. Supervision and Support
Documents and evidence required:
- Supervision policy and procedure
- Supervision schedule for all workers
- Records of supervision sessions
- Evidence of how supervision addresses worker performance and development
- Clear reporting lines documented
- On-call or after-hours support arrangements for workers
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How often do workers receive supervision?
- How do you support workers dealing with challenging situations?
12. Participant Files
Auditors will sample participant files to verify your service delivery. Each file should include:
Intake and assessment:
- Referral or enquiry documentation
- Intake assessment
- Compatibility assessment (for shared living arrangements)
- NDIS plan or relevant extracts
- Funding confirmation
Service agreement:
- Service agreement signed by participant (or representative)
- Evidence of informed consent
- Evidence participant understood the agreement (e.g. easy-read version, interpreter used)
- Schedule of supports
- Fees and charges clearly documented
Support planning:
- Individual support plan aligned to NDIS goals
- Evidence participant was involved in developing their plan
- Regular plan reviews documented
- Evidence supports are delivered as planned
Daily records:
- Progress notes or shift notes
- Evidence of supports delivered
- Communication records
- Any variations to planned supports documented
Health and safety:
- Health information and care needs
- Medication records (if applicable)
- Mealtime management plan (if applicable)
- Behaviour support plan (if applicable)
- Risk assessments specific to the participant
- Emergency plan for the participant
Consent and privacy:
- Consent forms for information sharing
- Evidence of privacy being maintained
- Records stored securely
13. Restrictive Practices (If Applicable)
If your SIL services involve restrictive practices, this area will receive significant scrutiny.
Documents and evidence required:
- Restrictive practices policy and procedure
- Evidence all restrictive practices are authorised under relevant state/territory legislation
- Current behaviour support plans for all participants where restrictive practices are used
- Evidence plans are developed by a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner
- Restrictive practice use register
- Evidence of reporting to NDIS Commission as required
- Evidence of reduction strategies and progress toward reducing restrictive practices
- Training records for all staff implementing restrictive practices
- Competency assessments for staff using restrictive practices
Key questions auditors will ask:
- How do you ensure restrictive practices are only used as a last resort?
- Show me evidence of how you are working to reduce restrictive practice use.
14. Properties and Environment
Documents and evidence required:
- Evidence SIL properties are safe and fit for purpose
- Fire safety compliance (smoke alarms, evacuation plans, fire extinguishers)
- Electrical safety compliance
- Pool safety compliance (if applicable)
- Accessibility features appropriate to participant needs
- Maintenance records
- Cleaning schedules and records
- Emergency evacuation plans for each property
- Evidence of regular safety inspections
15. Emergency and Continuity Planning
Documents and evidence required:
- Emergency and disaster management plan
- Business continuity plan for SIL services
- Evidence of emergency drills conducted
- After-hours emergency contact arrangements
- Backup staffing arrangements
- Participant-specific emergency plans
Key questions auditors will ask:
- What happens if a worker does not show up for a shift?
- How would you maintain services during a major incident or disaster?
Timeline: What You Should Be Doing Now
The timeline below reflects a provider who is starting preparation in April 2026. For providers who are not yet close to audit-ready, this is an ambitious schedule. The registration process typically takes 3 to 6 months from application to Commission decision, and preparation before that point can take just as long. Prioritise your highest-risk gaps first and engage an auditor early to understand their availability.
April 2026 (Now)
- Assess your readiness and identify critical gaps that will take longest to address
- Begin policy development or updates
- Lodge NDIS Worker Screening applications for any workers without clearances (allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing)
- Contact approved auditors to understand availability and get quotes, as availability will tighten significantly as July approaches
May 2026
- Continue implementing systems and gathering evidence
- Train staff on new or updated policies and procedures
- Start internal audit processes
- Submit your NDIS registration application once your systems are sufficiently developed
- Book your certification audit. Learn more about SIL certification audit: what auditors look for and how long it takes.
June 2026
- Complete Stage 1 audit (desktop review) if audit is booked
- Address any Stage 1 findings promptly
- Prepare for Stage 2 audit
- Make sure all participant files are complete
- Brief staff on audit process and expectations
July 2026
- Mandatory registration transition period commences
- Complete Stage 2 audit (on-site assessment) if scheduled
- Address any non-conformities identified
- Await NDIS Commission determination
1 July 2026 starts the transition, not the final deadline. Providers must complete registration within Commission timelines. Do not wait, as auditor availability will tighten.
Estimated Costs
Budget for the following costs:
Costs vary significantly based on organisation size, number of workers, number of SIL properties, and whether you use consultants for support. Worker screening fees are set by each state and territory and are subject to change. Confirm current costs on your state portal before applying.
How Provider+ Can Help
Provider+ has helped hundreds of SIL providers achieve registration. We understand the specific challenges unregistered providers face in meeting certification requirements for the first time.
We offer:
Dedicated Expert Consultant. A specialist NDIS registration and compliance expert is assigned to guide you 1:1 through your entire registration process, answering your questions and advising you every step of the way.
NDIS Policies, Forms and Procedures. All the policies, forms and procedures required for your registration, designed to pass audit and be practically implemented in your business.
Personal Audit Coach. A structured 6-step program working 1:1 with you to fully prepare for your certification audit, tackling each audit area in sequence from required documents to the questions auditors will ask.
Auditor Introduction. Direct connection to appropriate independent certifiers who understand our systems and standards.
PQM Pro. Our Quality Management System keeps your documentation centralised, version-controlled, and always audit ready.
Start Up Club. Training and support to get your NDIS business operational once registration is complete.
Provider+ Community. An exclusive provider-only platform with live workshops, Q&As, Audit School, and ongoing NDIS business support.
Do not risk your ability to continue delivering SIL services.
Book a free 30-minute call with our team to assess where you stand and map out your pathway to registration.
This article was last updated on 04/06/2026. We strive to keep our content accurate and up to date; however, NDIS Commission rules and requirements can change. For the latest information, visit the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website or contact our team.
FAQs
1 July 2026 is when the transition to mandatory registration begins, existing unregistered SIL providers do not need to hold a Certificate of Registration by this date. The NDIS Commission’s transition arrangements allow existing unregistered providers who are already delivering SIL supports to continue operating while they progress through registration, provided they submit a valid application for 0138 Assistance with Supported Independent Living by 1 October 2026. Providers that do not apply by this date will be unable to continue delivering SIL supports. Providers who are not currently delivering SIL and want to start after 1 July 2026 must be registered before commencing SIL service delivery.
From starting preparation to receiving your Certificate of Registration, allow a minimum of 6 to 12 months. The process covers application, self-assessment, audit preparation, a two-stage certification audit, and the Commission's determination period — each with its own timeline, and any delay pushes everything back. Providers starting preparation in April 2026 should not assume they will complete registration before late 2026 at the earliest.
SIL providers require a certification audit, which is the more comprehensive of the two NDIS audit pathways. It includes a Stage 1 documentation review and a Stage 2 on-site assessment with staff interviews, participant interviews, and site inspections. A verification audit is not sufficient for SIL registration.
Generic template policies are not sufficient. Auditors will probe whether your policies reflect your actual operations. Your policies must be specific to your organisation, describe how you actually deliver services, and be implemented with evidence of use. Staff must be able to explain the policies in their own words.
You cannot technically "fail" an NDIS audit. If auditors identify non-conformities, you will need to submit a Corrective Action Plan. Minor non-conformities give you time to address issues. Major non-conformities must be closed out within three months before certification can be recommended. If major non-conformities are not resolved, your registration will not proceed.
Yes. All workers in risk-assessed roles delivering SIL supports must have a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. This includes employees, contractors, and regular volunteers. Processing times vary by state, typically 6 to 8 weeks, so lodge applications early. Workers cannot deliver supports in risk-assessed roles until their clearance is received, though some states permit supervised work on application. Check your state's specific rules.
SIL providers must comply with the Core Module and the DRAFT SIL Practice Standards plus applicable supplementary modules. Most SIL providers will need Module 1 (High Intensity Daily Personal Activities). If you support participants with behaviour support needs or use restrictive practices, you will also need Module 2a (Implementing Behaviour Support Plans).
Total costs typically range from $8,000 to $25,000+ depending on your organisation's size. This includes the certification audit ($5,000 to $15,000+), insurance, worker screening checks (fee varies by state, confirm current costs on your state portal), policy development, and optional consultant support. The NDIS Commission application itself is free.
Transition arrangements are expected to allow providers who have commenced registration to continue delivering services while their application is processed. However, specific details are subject to NDIS Commission guidance, which had not been fully published as of April 2026. Do not assume you can wait until the last minute. Monitor the Commission website for confirmed transition arrangements.
SIL (Supported Independent Living) covers the daily support services provided to participants. SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) covers the physical dwelling or property. They are separate registration groups with separate requirements. If you deliver both, you need to be registered for both.
Understand exactly why registration takes 6–12+ months
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