Supported Independent Living is changing, with new NDIS registration, claiming and quality requirements now applying to SIL providers. Here is what you need to know about the 1 October 2026 milestone and what it may mean for you.
If you receive Supported Independent Living (SIL), support a family member who does, or work with participants as a Support Coordinator, you may have heard about changes to SIL provider registration.
Some of these changes have already started, while an important transition deadline is approaching on 1 October 2026.
We know changes to the NDIS can sometimes be difficult to navigate. So, we have put together a straightforward overview of what is changing, who it affects and what you may want to check with your SIL provider.
What is changing with Supported Independent Living?
From 1 July 2026, new registration and claiming arrangements were introduced specifically for Supported Independent Living providers.
A new registration group was introduced:
0138: Assistance with Supported Independent Living
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has also introduced specific SIL Practice Standards. SIL providers covered by the new arrangements must meet these standards as part of their registration requirements.
The changes are part of a broader move towards greater oversight of providers delivering SIL.
What happens on 1 October 2026?
This is an important date, but it is worth being clear about exactly who the deadline affects.
Existing unregistered providers who were delivering SIL before 1 July 2026 must submit a valid application for registration under registration group 0138 before 1 October 2026 if they want to continue providing SIL.
Providers who have submitted a valid registration application can continue delivering SIL while their application is being assessed.
If an existing unregistered SIL provider does not apply by the deadline, the NDIA says they can only claim for SIL services delivered up to 30 September 2026.
For providers that were already registered for the relevant supports and delivering SIL before 1 July, the transition is different. The NDIS Commission has been varying relevant registrations to include the new 0138 registration group.
Does this change my NDIS plan or SIL funding?
The changes are primarily about providers, registration, quality standards and how SIL supports are claimed.
They do not mean that every person receiving SIL needs to find a new provider.
If you are concerned about how the changes might affect your individual circumstances, it is worth speaking with your provider, Support Coordinator or the NDIA rather than assuming your supports will change.
What does this mean if my SIL provider is already registered?
If your provider was already an appropriately registered provider delivering SIL before the changes, the NDIS Commission has established a transition pathway for them.
Existing registered providers who were registered under 0115 and delivering SIL before 1 July 2026 have had their registration transitioned to include the new 0138 Assistance with Supported Independent Living registration group, unless they chose not to continue providing SIL.
These providers must also comply with the new SIL Practice Standards and will be audited against them as part of the relevant audit process after 1 July 2026.
So, if you are happy with your current provider, there is no reason to assume you need to change providers simply because the 1 October deadline is approaching.
What if my SIL provider is unregistered?
If you are currently receiving SIL from an unregistered provider, it is reasonable to ask them about the changes.
You might ask:
- Have you applied for registration to provide SIL?
- Are you applying under registration group 0138?
- Will you be able to continue providing my SIL supports after 1 October?
- Is there anything I need to do?
- Who can I speak with if I have questions about my supports?
You should feel comfortable asking questions about the services you receive.
The aim is not to create unnecessary worry. It is to make sure you have clear information about your supports and can make informed decisions.
There are also new SIL claiming arrangements
Registration is not the only thing that changed.
For SIL supports delivered from 1 July 2026, providers must use the new SIL support code 0138 rather than the previous 0115 code used for SIL services delivered before that date.
The NDIA also requires SIL providers to be connected with the participant as their my provider before providing the support.
Most participants will not need to understand the technical details of provider claiming. However, these changes are important for providers, plan managers and Support Coordinators helping participants navigate their supports.
What should Support Coordinators know?
For Support Coordinators working with people who receive SIL, the transition provides a useful opportunity to check provider arrangements.
This may include confirming whether a SIL provider is appropriately registered or progressing through the relevant registration pathway, particularly when working with a participant whose provider was previously unregistered.
It is also worth discussing any concerns early rather than waiting until the 1 October milestone.
Most importantly, conversations about provider registration should continue to respect the participant’s choice and control.
Registration is an important safeguard, but choosing the right SIL provider is also about the person receiving the support.
Choosing a SIL provider is about more than registration
Meeting NDIS registration requirements matters.
But a registration certificate alone does not tell you whether a provider is the right fit for you.
Your home is personal.
A good SIL arrangement should support you to live as independently as possible while respecting your preferences, routines, goals and decisions.
When exploring SIL providers, you may want to consider things such as:
Choice and control: Are you involved in decisions about your supports?
Communication: Does the provider listen to you and communicate in a way that works for you?
Compatibility: Do you feel comfortable with the people supporting you?
Independence: Does your support encourage you to build skills and do the things that matter to you?
Safety: Do you understand how to raise a concern or make a complaint?
Consistency: Does the provider have appropriate systems for staffing, handovers and continuity of support?
Your home: Most importantly, does the arrangement feel like a home rather than simply somewhere services are delivered?
These conversations can be just as important as checking registration.
What do the new SIL Practice Standards mean?
From 1 July 2026, relevant SIL providers must comply with specific Supported Independent Living Practice Standards.
For existing registered providers transitioned into the new registration group, the Commission says these standards will form part of their next relevant audit after 1 July. Providers applying for registration through the transition pathway also undergo a certification audit that includes the new SIL Practice Standards.
For participants and families, the important point is that SIL now has more specific regulatory requirements around how these supports are provided.
Supported Independent Living with DisabilityCo
At DisabilityCo, we understand that SIL is about much more than receiving support with everyday tasks.
It is about having a place you can call home.
It is about being listened to, having choices, building independence and receiving support that fits around your life.
As a registered NDIS provider, our focus is on providing welcoming, respectful and person-centred support while meeting the quality and safeguarding requirements that apply to our services.
Whether you are considering SIL for the first time, looking at different living options, supporting a family member, or helping a participant explore what is available, we are happy to have a conversation.
There is no pressure and no expectation that you need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.
Learn more about Supported Independent Living with DisabilityCo or speak with our team at disabilityco.com.
Information current as at 7 September 2026
NDIS requirements and guidance can change. This article provides general information and is not individual NDIS advice. For information about your own NDIS plan or circumstances, contact the NDIA or the appropriate NDIS representative.
Official sources: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission mandatory SIL registration guidance and NDIA SIL claims and payment guidance.