SIL Mandatory Registration 2026: 1 July Deadline, 1 October Apply-By (Full Guide)

Home » SIL Mandatory Registration 2026: 1 July Deadline, 1 October Apply-By (Full Guide)

The SIL mandatory registration 2026 reform begins on Tuesday 1 July 2026, just four days from the publication of this guide. From that date, every NDIS provider delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) must be in the registration process with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. As a result, this is the most consequential change to NDIS provider regulation since the Scheme began.

There is one detail that has changed since the December 2025 announcement, and it is critical. Providers do NOT need to be fully registered by 1 July 2026. Instead, providers who are currently delivering SIL without registration must have APPLIED for registration by 1 October 2026, and can continue delivering during the application process. The 1 July 2026 date marks when the new Registration Group 0138 and the SIL supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards take effect. For new providers, no grace period applies; they cannot deliver SIL until their registration is approved.

This refreshed guide walks through what has changed since the original announcement, the verified transition pathways, the enforcement penalties, and what NDIS participants should do this week.

Quick summary: SIL mandatory registration 2026

Effective date: 1 July 2026.
What takes effect on 1 July 2026: the new Registration Group 0138, and the SIL supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards.
Apply-by date for currently-unregistered SIL providers: 1 October 2026.
Grace rule: currently-unregistered providers can continue delivering SIL during the application process, provided they apply by 1 October 2026.
New providers: no grace period. Cannot deliver SIL until their registration is approved.
Penalty for delivering SIL without registration: 2 years’ imprisonment, a fine of 120 penalty units, or both. Specifically, this is the maximum penalty under the NDIS Act.
Platform providers (apps and websites that match participants with workers) are also subject to mandatory registration from 1 July 2026.
Participant funding does not change. This is a provider-side safety and quality reform, not a funding cut.

What changed since the original December 2025 announcement

The original announcement of SIL mandatory registration was made in December 2025 by then-Minister for the NDIS Senator Jenny McAllister. Since then, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has published detailed transition guidance. Three things have changed since the original December announcement:

1. The application deadline is now clear

The 1 July 2026 effective date is NOT a fully-registered-by date. Specifically, the NDIS Commission has clarified that currently-unregistered providers must APPLY for registration by 1 October 2026, and can continue delivering SIL during the application process. As a result, providers who are mid-application on 1 July 2026 do not have to stop delivering services.

2. The new Registration Group 0138 is created

From 1 July 2026, SIL is subject to its own Registration Group (0138) with a supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards. Providers who are already registered under the general Class 0115 (Group home / shared accommodation) will receive an automatic certificate update. They must comply with the new module from 1 July, and they are audited against it at their next renewal.

3. Six transition pathways now exist

The NDIS Commission has published six transition pathways depending on a provider’s current registration status and timing. The four most commonly used pathways are:

Pathway 1: Already registered with Class 0115. Receive an automatic certificate update. Comply with the new module from 1 July. Audited at next renewal.
Pathway 2: Registered without Class 0115 but planning SIL delivery. Apply for a registration variation. Timing affects whether the new standards apply immediately.
Pathway 3: Unregistered and currently delivering SIL. Must apply by 1 October 2026. Can continue delivering during the application process.
Pathway 4: New or unregistered, planning future SIL delivery. Cannot deliver until registration is approved. No grace period.

Pathways 5 and 6 cover platform providers and specific edge cases (downloadable pathway maps are on the Commission’s mandatory registration page).

What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

Before we go further, here is the definition. Supported Independent Living is an NDIS support for people who need help or supervision with daily living tasks in their home. It is most commonly used in shared living arrangements such as group homes or supported accommodation, where you live with other NDIS participants and receive assistance with:

Personal care: showering, dressing, grooming, and hygiene
Household tasks: cooking, cleaning, and laundry
Overnight or 24/7 support for participants who need round-the-clock assistance
Building daily living skills: learning to live as independently as possible
Community access: getting out and about with support

SIL is one of the most significant NDIS supports. In the 12 months to June 2025, $11.7 billion was spent on SIL-related payments, making it the single largest spending category in the NDIS. Because SIL involves intimate, high-risk supports (people living in your home, helping you with personal care), getting the quality and safety standards right is critical.

What’s actually changing on 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, three things change.

1. The new Registration Group 0138 starts

SIL is now a dedicated registration category, separate from the broader group home / shared accommodation category. As a result, providers are audited specifically against SIL standards rather than against a generic shared accommodation standard.

2. The new SIL supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards takes effect

The supplementary module focuses on quality and safety in shared accommodation with daily supports, plus improved guidance for frontline workers. Specifically, it covers:

Participant rights, choice, and autonomy in shared living
Worker capability, supervision, and training
Privacy and dignity in personal care
Behaviour support and restrictive practice safeguards
Incident management and reporting

The module was co-designed with people with disability through a partnership between the NDIS Commission and Inclusion Australia.

3. Enforcement begins

The NDIS Commission now has the legal power to enforce mandatory registration. Specifically, from 1 October 2026 onwards, providing SIL without being either registered OR in the application process is a breach of the NDIS Act. As a result, the Commission can investigate, sanction, deregister, or refer matters for prosecution.

The enforcement penalty, verbatim

From 1 October 2026, providing SIL without being either registered OR having an application under way is a serious offence under the NDIS Act. The NDIS Commission’s published guidance is explicit:

“The maximum penalty is 2 years’ imprisonment, a fine of 120 penalty units, or both.”

A Commonwealth penalty unit is currently $313, so 120 penalty units equals a fine of $37,560 plus the possibility of imprisonment. For providers who choose not to register and continue operating, this is the legal exposure. As a result, providers should treat the 1 October 2026 application deadline as the operative date, not a guideline.

Platform providers are included too

This change does not just apply to traditional SIL providers. Platform providers (online services and apps that connect NDIS participants with support workers) must also register by 1 July 2026.

A platform provider is any service that uses an app or website where you and support workers create profiles to find and book each other. Specifically, think of it like a matching service for disability support. While these platforms can be convenient, a 2023 NDIS Commission inquiry found concerning issues including worker screening gaps, unclear fee structures, personal-information misuse, and gaps in disability knowledge among platform workers.

Mandatory registration means these platforms now face the same quality and safety standards as other registered providers.

Why this is happening

This is not a random policy change. Specifically, it is the result of years of evidence showing that SIL participants, some of the most vulnerable people in the NDIS, need stronger protections. Three major reviews recommended this reform:

The NDIS Review (2023): found that unregistered providers delivering high-risk supports created significant safety gaps.
The Disability Royal Commission (2023): uncovered widespread abuse, neglect, and exploitation in disability accommodation settings.
The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce: recommended mandatory registration for high-risk supports including SIL.

NDIS Commissioner Louise Glanville explained the rationale: “Registration provides greater visibility over NDIS market operations. Providers must continuously meet quality standards or be held accountable.”

How SIL mandatory registration fits with the broader NDIS reforms 2026

The SIL change is part of a larger reform package given effect by the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2026. The Bill expands the NDIA’s powers to identify, investigate, and respond to fraud and non-compliance across the whole Scheme.

For the full timeline of NDIS reforms across 2026, 2027 and 2028, see our NDIS Reforms 2026 hub guide.

What this means for you as a participant

Importantly, your funding is not changing. Specifically, this is a safety and quality reform for providers, not a funding cut. Your NDIS plan, your SIL funding, and your eligibility remain exactly the same.

However, three things could be affected:

Your provider must be registered, OR in the application process

If your current SIL provider is not registered and does not apply by 1 October 2026, they will not be able to continue delivering your SIL supports. In that case, you may need to transition to a registered provider.

Better safety protections

Once all SIL providers are inside the new framework, you will benefit from:

Screened workers: every support worker in your home will have passed mandatory background checks (NDIS Worker Screening Check).
Quality standards: your provider must meet specific practice standards for shared accommodation and daily support.
Accountability: if something goes wrong, the NDIS Commission has the power to investigate, sanction, or deregister your provider.
Incident reporting: providers must report serious incidents, giving you an extra layer of protection.

For more on NDIS Worker Screening, see our NDIS Worker Screening Check 2026 guide.

Your rights stay the same

Your core NDIS rights remain exactly the same:

You still have choice and control over your supports and providers
You can still change providers if you are not happy
Your goals and plan remain participant-led
You can make a complaint to the NDIS Commission if your rights are not being respected

What you should do this week

You do not need to panic, but with the 1 July 2026 effective date now 4 days away, you should be asking questions today.

Step 1: Ask your provider four direct questions

Are you currently registered with the NDIS Commission?
If not, have you started your registration application?
What is your target date to apply (must be by 1 October 2026)?
Will there be any changes to my supports during the transition?

A good provider will be transparent about their plans. If they are evasive or unsure, that is a red flag worth discussing with your support coordinator.

Step 2: Check the official register

You can verify your provider’s registration status right now using the official tools:

NDIS Provider Finder: visit ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/find-registered-provider and search by provider name or ABN.
NDIS Commission Register: visit ndiscommission.gov.au to check registration status, including whether a provider’s registration has been suspended or revoked.

Look for the green “Registered provider” tick next to their listing and confirm their registration is current (not expired).

Step 3: Talk to your support coordinator

Your support coordinator can help you:

Check your provider’s registration status
Understand what the changes mean for your specific situation
Find alternative registered providers if needed
Plan a smooth transition if your current provider will not be registering
Advocate for your needs during the changeover

Step 4: If you live in a regional area, move now

In some areas, particularly rural and remote communities, there are already limited SIL providers. If smaller, unregistered providers cannot afford the cost of registration, some participants worry about having even fewer choices. The NDIS Commission has acknowledged this concern and has committed to a considered transition period. However, if you live in a regional area, it is especially important to start planning early.

Concerns worth watching

While mandatory registration is overwhelmingly positive for participant safety, there are genuine concerns worth understanding.

Choice in rural and regional areas

Smaller providers in regional areas may exit the SIL market rather than carry the audit cost. As a result, participants in those areas may have less provider choice in 2026-27 than they had in 2025-26.

Market consolidation

There is a risk that mandatory registration could push smaller providers out of the market, leaving larger corporate providers to dominate. Specifically, this could reduce the diversity of supports available and make it harder to find providers who truly understand your individual needs.

Independent support workers

If you currently use an independent support worker for SIL-funded supports, they will need to work under a registered SIL provider organisation after 1 October 2026. As a result, they cannot continue delivering SIL supports independently. Talk to your support worker and your support coordinator about options.

Personal care outside SIL

Some participants receive personal care through Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Living) rather than through SIL. If your personal care is NOT funded under SIL, it may not be affected by this registration change.

What about support coordination registration?

You may have heard that support coordinators were also going to need mandatory registration. That plan has been paused. The NDIS Commission has put mandatory registration for support coordination on hold while it considers the broader Securing the NDIS Bill 2026 changes, particularly the move to a commissioned support coordination function from 1 July 2028.

In the meantime, all support coordinators (registered or not) must still follow the NDIS Code of Conduct. For more on choosing a coordinator, see our Independent vs Agency NDIS Support Coordinator guide. For more on the 2028 commissioning change, see our NDIS Reforms 2026 hub.

FAQ: SIL mandatory registration 2026

What is SIL mandatory registration in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, every NDIS provider delivering Supported Independent Living must be in the registration process with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Specifically, currently-unregistered providers must apply by 1 October 2026 and can continue delivering SIL during the application process. New providers cannot deliver SIL until their registration is approved.

Will my SIL funding change because of mandatory registration?

No. The reform is provider-side. Your NDIS funding, plan goals, and eligibility remain exactly the same. Specifically, your SIL funding is set in your plan and is not affected by your provider’s registration status.

What happens if my provider does not register by 1 October 2026?

They will no longer be allowed to deliver SIL-funded supports. As a result, you would need to transition to a registered provider. This is why it is important to ask your provider now about their registration plans.

What is the penalty for an unregistered provider delivering SIL?

From 1 October 2026, providing SIL without being registered or in the application process is a breach of the NDIS Act. The maximum penalty is 2 years’ imprisonment, a fine of 120 penalty units, or both. At the current Commonwealth penalty unit rate of $313, 120 penalty units equals a fine of $37,560.

What is the new Registration Group 0138?

From 1 July 2026, SIL has its own dedicated NDIS Registration Group (0138) with a supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards. This separates SIL from the broader Class 0115 (group home / shared accommodation) so that providers are audited specifically against SIL standards.

How do I check if my SIL provider is registered?

Use the NDIS Provider Finder at ndis.gov.au or the NDIS Commission Register at ndiscommission.gov.au. Search by provider name or ABN and look for current registration status. The NDIS Commission Register also shows if a provider’s registration has been suspended or revoked.

Can my support worker still help me if they are not part of a registered provider?

For SIL-funded supports, no. After 1 October 2026, all SIL support workers must work under a registered provider organisation. If your worker delivers supports that are NOT funded under SIL, different rules may apply.

I live in a regional area with limited providers. What should I do?

Start planning early. Specifically, talk to your support coordinator about which providers in your area are registering, and discuss backup options. The NDIS Commission has committed to a transition period that aims to prevent service disruptions, but being proactive is the best protection.

Does my SIL provider need separate registration for each house?

No. Registration covers the provider organisation, not individual locations. However, all locations must meet the same quality standards, and auditors may visit multiple sites during the audit process.

What are the new SIL Practice Standards?

The NDIS Commission has developed new practice standards specifically for SIL, co-designed with people with disability through a partnership with Inclusion Australia. The standards focus on safety in shared accommodation, quality of daily support, worker training, and participant rights. They take effect 1 July 2026 as a supplementary module to the existing NDIS Practice Standards.

How Centre of Hope can help

Navigating NDIS changes can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Centre of Hope is a Registered NDIS Provider in New South Wales delivering Support Coordination at Levels 2 and 3 across the state. Importantly, SIL is not in our current service mix; we deliver coordination, not accommodation. As a result, our role for participants navigating the SIL change is to help you understand it, check your providers, and coordinate any transition.

Specifically, our support coordination team can help you:

Check your SIL provider’s registration status and understand what it means for you
Find registered SIL providers in your area if you need to transition
Coordinate a smooth changeover so your daily supports are not disrupted
Advocate for your rights during the transition period
Keep you informed as more details are released by the NDIS Commission

Whether you have Level 2 Support Coordination or Level 3 Specialist Support Coordination in your plan, we are here to help you stay ahead of these changes.

Your goals. Your plan. Our support.

The SIL mandatory registration 2026 reform is one of the biggest safety improvements in NDIS history. For SIL participants, the practical effect is screened workers, audited providers, and stronger accountability when something goes wrong. For SIL providers, the practical effect is a hard 1 October 2026 application deadline and serious legal exposure for those who do not comply.

If you are an NDIS participant in New South Wales and you want to talk through how the 1 July 2026 SIL change affects your supports, or how Centre of Hope can help you check your providers and plan transitions, get in touch.

Call us: 0432 250 900
Visit: centreofhope.com.au
Email: hello@centreofhope.com.au
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