If you receive Supported Independent Living (SIL), you may have heard about changes introduced from 1 July 2026.
These changes are part of broader reforms to the NDIS and include new requirements for SIL providers, a new claiming framework and new SIL-specific Practice Standards.
The most important thing to know is:
These SIL provider and claiming changes do not, by themselves, change your NDIS plan or funding.
Let's look at what has changed and what it means for participants.
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is funding for support workers to help or supervise participants with everyday activities in their home.
SIL is generally for people with higher support needs who require assistance or supervision throughout the day or for most of the day.
Depending on a participant's needs and funded arrangements, support workers may provide shared or individual assistance, including overnight support where required.
The purpose of SIL is to help people live as independently as possible, develop everyday skills and receive the assistance or supervision they need in their home.
SIL funding is for support. It does not cover everyday living expenses such as rent or groceries.
What if you organise your own support workers?
If you choose and manage your own support workers, including directing, planning and rostering your supports, this is generally not considered SIL under the new definition. The mandatory SIL provider registration changes do not apply to these arrangements.
What changed from 1 July 2026?
1. New registration requirements for SIL providers
From 1 July 2026, providers delivering SIL must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Existing unregistered providers that were already delivering SIL before 1 July 2026 could continue during the transition if they submitted a valid application for registration by 1 October 2026.
As this deadline has now passed:
Providers that applied by 1 October can continue delivering SIL while their application is assessed.
Providers that did not apply by the deadline must stop delivering SIL.
If an application is not approved, the provider cannot continue delivering SIL.
New providers cannot begin delivering SIL until they have been registered.
These requirements are intended to strengthen oversight, quality and safeguards for people receiving SIL supports.
NDIS Commission - Supplementary module: Supported Independent Living Practice Standards.
2. A new SIL claiming framework
From 1 July 2026, SIL supports delivered from that date use the new registration and claiming arrangements under:
0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living
For most participants, this is mainly an administrative change to how the provider claims for the SIL support.
It does not mean that your support automatically changes.
The introduction of the new 0138 claiming framework is primarily about how SIL supports are claimed and paid.
Your support should continue to be based on your individual needs, goals and agreed arrangements.
Before SIL supports are provided, participants and providers should have a service agreement that clearly explains the supports and relevant arrangements.
The new framework also provides different ways for providers to claim regular SIL supports:
Weekly claiming: The provider and participant agree on a typical weekly schedule of supports. The weekly claimable amount is calculated by dividing the annual SIL budget by 52 weeks. The claiming arrangement and typical schedule must be documented in the service agreement.
Hourly claiming: Supports are claimed according to the hours and type of support delivered.
Providers must use either weekly or hourly claiming for regular SIL supports, not both. Irregular SIL supports have separate claiming arrangements.
If weekly claiming is used, participants should understand what supports are included in the agreed weekly amount and how these will be delivered.
3. New SIL-specific Practice Standards
SIL providers are now subject to new SIL-specific Practice Standards.
These cover areas including:
Supported decision-making
Safeguarding and participant safety
Practice governance
Clear arrangements around housing, tenancy and support.
The standards reinforce that participants should have a voice in decisions about their support and living arrangements.
These standards also reinforce that receiving SIL support should not mean giving up control over your home.
For example, participants should be supported to understand their tenancy rights, have a say in who they live with, be involved in decisions about shared spaces and understand how they can change their SIL provider without automatically putting their housing at risk.
What does this mean for participants?
The new registration requirements do not automatically mean that your NDIS plan or funding will change.
If your provider is registered, you do not need to change your arrangements simply because of the new registration requirements.
If your provider was previously unregistered, it is important to understand whether they applied for registration by 1 October 2026. Providers that applied by the deadline can continue delivering SIL while their application is assessed.
If your provider did not apply, or their application is not approved, they cannot continue delivering SIL. You may need to find another registered provider.
The NDIA has advised that it will help participants understand their options if their provider cannot continue delivering SIL.
What should you ask your SIL provider?
You can ask:
Are you registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission?
If not:
Have you applied for registration?
You can also ask your provider or Support Coordinator whether anything about your current service arrangement needs to change.
What about pricing and service agreements?
The 2026–27 NDIS pricing schedules became effective on 24 September 2026.
These schedules set the maximum prices that registered providers can charge for relevant NDIS supports. If your provider proposes changes to your existing service arrangements, make sure the proposed changes are clearly explained and that you understand and agree to any changes before they are put in place.
You and your provider can discuss and negotiate appropriate prices for your supports. You must agree to any changes in pricing before they can be made.
What about shared accommodation?
From 1 July 2026, Programs of Support can also be used for daily Personal Activities supports delivered in a shared accommodation setting.
A Program of Support is an optional agreement between a participant and provider for up to six months and sets out the activities, outcomes and level of support.
Participants can leave a Program of Support at any time without cost by providing up to two weeks' notice. A new agreement can also be made if both the participant and provider agree.
This is separate from the SIL registration changes, but it may be relevant to some people receiving supports in shared accommodation.
What hasn't changed?
The 1 July SIL reforms do not automatically mean:
Your NDIS plan does not automatically change because of the SIL registration reforms.
Your NDIS funding does not automatically change because of these provider requirements.
You do not automatically have to move house.
You do not automatically need to change providers if your current provider is registered or eligible to continue under the transition arrangements.
Your individual SIL supports do not automatically change simply because the new claiming framework has started.
Your individual circumstances can still change for other reasons, but a change to the SIL provider registration or claiming framework does not by itself mean that your personal NDIS plan has changed.
Your home and your SIL support
It is also useful to understand that SIL and housing are not the same thing.
SIL is the support you receive.
Your housing or tenancy arrangement is where you live.
Some people receive SIL in a shared home. Others may receive SIL in a sole-occupancy living arrangement.
Some participants may also be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), which is a separate form of NDIS-funded housing.
The new SIL framework reinforces the importance of clear arrangements between housing, tenancy and support.
Where a provider delivers both SIL supports and tenancy arrangements, the participant should have separate service and tenancy agreements. These are legally separate arrangements, and the tenancy should not depend on receiving SIL supports from a particular provider.
Participants should also be supported to understand their rights, raise concerns about their home and explore changing their SIL provider without automatically losing their housing.
What does this mean for More Than Support participants?
More Than Support is a registered NDIS provider for Supported Independent Living under registration group 0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living.
We continue to provide SIL supports with a focus on each participant's individual needs, preferences, routines, goals and independence.
We also recognise that a home is more than a place where support is delivered.
It is a person's home, life and community.
What if you are unsure?
You do not have to work it out alone.
Speak with your SIL provider, Support Coordinator, plan manager, nominee, NDIS contact or another appropriate support person.
Ask questions and make sure you understand how any proposed change affects your individual situation.
Important note
This article provides general information only and is not personal NDIS, legal or financial advice.
NDIS laws, rules, pricing arrangements and guidance may change. For the most current information about your individual plan and supports, refer to the NDIS or speak with your Support Coordinator, plan manager, NDIS contact or another appropriate support person.
Last reviewed: November 2026.