Yes. From 1 July 2026, any provider delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) to NDIS participants must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Providers who were not registered had until 1 October 2026 to apply. If they did not apply, they must stop providing SIL.

This guide is for participants, families, guardians and support coordinators who want to know what the change means and how to check where their provider stands.

What changed on 1 July 2026?

Before July 2026, a participant whose plan was self-managed or plan-managed could choose an unregistered provider for SIL. That is no longer allowed. SIL has been added to the list of supports that only registered providers can deliver, alongside Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), specialist behaviour support and plan management.

The NDIS Commission also created a new registration group just for SIL: 0138, Assistance with supported independent living. Registered SIL providers now have to:

• pass certification audits by an approved independent auditor
• meet the core NDIS Practice Standards
• meet a new set of SIL Practice Standards that started on 1 July 2026
• meet every other condition of registration.

Why did the rules change?

SIL is support for people who need help for most or all of the day, usually in a shared home. People in SIL often rely on one provider for nearly everything, which makes good oversight important. Registration means the provider is audited, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct and Practice Standards, and is directly accountable to the NDIS Commission.

What counts as SIL?

The Commission describes SIL as a package of home and living support for someone who needs support at all times of the day, or for most of the day, where the provider manages and delivers that support.

It is not SIL if:

• a person only gets a few hours of support a day or a week, or
• the participant or their family chooses and manages their own support workers, including planning and rostering them.

So a family that directs its own workers does not usually need to register. The rule applies to providers who run the SIL package.

How do I check if my SIL provider is registered?

1. Go to the NDIS Commission’s Find a registered provider search.
2. Search for the provider’s business name or ABN.
3. Check the registration is current and see when it is approved until.
4. Look at the registration groups listed. A SIL provider should be registered for SIL.
5. If anything is unclear, ask the provider to show you their registration certificate. A good provider will not mind.

Some providers who applied before the deadline may still have their application being assessed. The Commission allows them to keep delivering SIL while that happens. If your provider says they are in this group, it is fair to ask when they applied and what stage they are at.

What if my provider is not registered?

A provider that did not apply by 1 October 2026 must stop providing SIL. The Commission treats delivering SIL without registration as a serious offence under the NDIS Act.

If you think this applies to your provider:

Step	What to do
1. Check the register	Use the search above so you are working from facts.
2. Talk to your support coordinator	They can help you understand your options and find a registered provider.
3. Ask the provider for their transition plan	A provider that is stopping SIL must follow the Commission’s steps for notifying participants and helping them move.
4. Contact the NDIS Commission	You can raise a concern or complaint online or call 1800 035 544.
5. Questions about your plan	Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) or speak to your Local Area Coordinator.

Will I lose my home if my provider has to stop?

Not necessarily. Your SIL support and your housing are often separate arrangements. If you live in SDA or a private rental, the home can stay the same while a new registered provider takes over the support. Talk to your support coordinator early, and ask any new provider how they handle a change of provider without moving you.

What questions should I ask a SIL provider now?

• Are you registered for SIL, and can I see your certificate?
• When was your last audit, and who did it?
• How will you show me my roster of care and how my funding is used?
• What happens if I want to raise a concern?
• If my needs change, how quickly can you update my supports?

For a longer checklist, see our guide to questions to ask when choosing a SIL provider.

How Pursue Ability can help

Pursue Ability is a registered NDIS provider, independently audited, and approved by the NDIS Commission until September 2027. We are listed on the Commission’s register for Supported Independent Living, so you can check our registration yourself using the search above. We provide Supported Independent Living across Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter. If you need to move to a registered provider, we can talk through how the change would work for you, including keeping your current home where possible. You can see our current vacancies any time.

Talk to us. Call 02 7227 6310 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm), email enquiries@pursueability.com.au, or send a referral at pursueability.com/referrals.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still self-manage my SIL funding?
You can still self-manage or plan-manage your plan, but the SIL provider you pay must be registered.

Does this apply to Individualised Living Options (ILO)?
The new rule applies to supports that meet the SIL definition. Check with your provider or support coordinator how your ILO is set up.

Does support coordination also need registration now?
The Commission flagged support coordination for mandatory registration too, but that change has been paused.

Sources: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Mandatory registration and transition pathways for SIL; Mandatory registration; Supported accommodation. Information current at 20 October 2026. This article is general information, not advice about your plan.