Mandatory SIL registration, what does this mean for providers and participants?

As you may already be aware, from Wednesday, 1 July 2026, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers will be required to be NDIS registered to be able to keep delivering SIL supports. This marks a significant change to the disability sector in Australia and reflects the NDIS Commission’s continued focus on quality, safeguarding and accountability.

For some SIL providers, this announcement by the Australian Government, has been a long time coming. For others, particularly those currently unregistered, it may feel daunting, complex and overwhelming. At the same time, participants as well as their families and carers are understandably asking what this change will mean for them, their supports and their choice and control.

We asked Jodi Perkin, JP Trusted Advisor’s Director and a Specialist Support Coordinator for her perspective and answer some of our most frequently asked questions about mandatory SIL registration and what this means not only for providers, but participants too.

What is mandatory SIL registration?

“Mandatory SIL registration means that all SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Commission from Wednesday 1 July 2026, to be able to keep operating,” explains Jodi Perkin, JP Trusted Advisor’s Director and a Specialist Support Coordinator. “But compliance doesn’t stop at registration. Once registered, providers must also prepare for audits as well as renew their registration every three years.”

“SIL is considered a high-risk support because it involves supporting NDIS participants with daily living assistance, personal care and is delivered within a

person’s home. Mandatory registration will ensure providers meet standards consistent across the nation for safety and risk, staff capability and screening, governance and compliance and incident management and safeguarding,” says Jodi.

What does mandatory SIL registration mean for providers?

If you are currently delivering SIL supports as an unregistered provider, this change will require you to prepare for mandatory registration.

“Becoming a registered SIL provider is time consuming and it is not a simple process. However, if you start working towards registration now and preparing early, you can ensure your systems, governance and daily practices align with the NDIS. As a provider, preparing early, will give you the opportunity to make meaningful change and improvements, rather than rushing through the process to meet minimum requirements,” says Jodi.

Jodi recommends that unregistered SIL providers start preparing now by:

1. Understanding the scope of registration required by SIL.

2. Conducting a gap analysis against the NDIS Practice Standards.

3. Reviewing your governance, risk and incident management systems.

4. Ensuring your workforce screening, training and supervision are compliant.

5. Allowing sufficient time as registration can be a lengthy process.

“Our NDIS SIL Registration Support consultancy services provide specialist support to help SIL providers and platform providers prepare for and transition to the mandatory registration with confidence,” says Jodi.

My organisation is already SIL registered, what do I need to consider?

“If you are already SIL registered, mandatory registration still matters as many providers are already preparing for audits and compliance, reviewing whether their current systems are still fit for purpose and are using this time to strengthen their governance and quality frameworks and worker screening obligations,” explains Jodi.

“A proactive approach to preparing for audit and confirming compliance helps ensure evidence of practice, not just policies on paper. A proactive approach also helps reduce stress, avoid non-conformities and builds confidence across your organisation and workforce as a whole.

“At JP Trusted Advisor, we also help registered providers with audit preparation, internal reviews and ongoing compliance support, so you can be sure your systems remain robust and flexible as the NDIS continues to evolve,” explains Jodi. “These services are provided as part of our Consultancy Services, where we can review, for instance, how incidents are identified, reported and learned from, how risks are assessed, documented and reviewed and how feedback and complaints help drive service improvement across your organisation.”

What does mandatory SIL registration mean for participants?

“For participants, their families and carers, mandatory SIL registration has been designed to help provide greater consistency of supports, safety and confidence across the NDIS. The benefits of mandatory SIL registration mean SIL providers must meet strict quality and safety standards, be subject to independent audits, have a clear process for complaints and incidents, employ screened and appropriately trained staff, while also being accountable to the NDIS Safeguards Commission,” explains Jodi.

“Overall, as a NDIS provider of choice, I would foresee these changes to SIL will mean greater peace of mind not only for NDIS participants, but their families and carers too, clearer pathways for raising concerns, stronger safeguards in shared living environments and improved service quality and transparency.

“For participants, I think it’s really important to remember that these changes will have a positive impact on the NDIS as registration is designed to not remove choice and control, but rather strengthen the framework of choice being exercised,” says Jodi.

As a participant, how can I choose the right SIL provider for me?

“If you are a NDIS participant, or a family member or carer of a NDIS participant and whether you are enquiring about SIL for the first time or reviewing your current provider, be sure to ask informed questions so you can make the right choice for you,” explains Jodi.

“As a Specialist Support Coordinator and working with my team of specialist support coordinators and support coordinators, we suggest to our clients they ask questions that will help make choosing a SIL provider easier for them. SIL providers should welcome you to ask questions and they should be transparent in their answers.”

Jodi recommends considering asking the following questions:

1. Are you already registered for SIL support or are you working towards registration?

2. What experience do you have supporting people with similar needs to mine?

3. How do you involve participants in making decisions about their supports and living arrangements?

4. What happens if my needs change?

5. How are incidents, concerns, feedback or complaints handled? What is your process?

6. How do you support choice and decision making in a shared home?

As a participant, what do I need to know when seeking SIL supports or reviewing my current SIL provider?

“Although SIL providers will be required to be registered, it does not mean that all SIL providers are the same. Quality still varies and as participants, you remain central to making decisions about the type of care you want to receive to enable you to achieve your goals and live your life the way you choose,” says Jodi.

“When reviewing SIL providers, it is helpful that you take time to understand the values of the provider, you can also ask how staff are trained, supported and supervised, you can seek clarity on how household routines and supports are agreed to and make sure you understand how your rights are protected.

“As a NDIS participant, family member or carer, you should feel empowered to ask questions, seek advice and request support when working through important decisions such as this,” says Jodi.

I am a SIL provider, how can I contact JP Trusted Advisor to support me through the registration process?

If you have any questions or if you’d like help preparing for the mandatory SIL registration, simply fill in our Referral Form or email us for more information.