Updated on February 13, 2026
If you or someone you care about is considering Supported Independent Living (SIL), understanding compliance and quality standards isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring safe, respectful, and empowering support that truly makes a difference. SIL regulation is evolving rapidly, with new standards designed to protect participants and elevate the quality of care across the board.
Let’s break down what NDIS compliance and quality standards mean in the SIL context, why they matter, and how these changes are shaping a safer, more person-centred future for people with disability.
Some regulatory changes ahead
Mandatory registration from July 2026
One of the most significant changes announced is that mandatory registration for SIL providers begins on 1 July 2026. This means every provider delivering SIL supports must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Registered providers must meet strict quality standards, undergo independent audits, complete suitability assessments, implement robust reporting systems, and ensure all workers pass NDIS Worker Screening Checks. As NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville notes, “We want providers to meet clear and consistent standards so participants can feel confident about the supports they receive.”
New SIL-specific practice standards
The NDIS Commission is currently developing new Practice Standards specifically for SIL, co-designed with people with disability through partnerships with organisations like Inclusion Australia. These new standards will focus on quality and safety in shared accommodation settings, improve worker training requirements, and change how SIL audits are conducted.
The goal is ensuring SIL supports are genuinely participant-centred, focused on human rights, respectful of privacy, and delivered by workers who have the right skills and training.
Understanding the NDIS practice standards
The NDIS Practice Standards form the backbone of quality assurance in the NDIS. They consist of a Core module that applies to all registered providers, plus supplementary modules for specific types of supports.
The core module: Four pillars of quality
1. Rights and responsibilities: This ensures participants’ legal and human rights are upheld in everyday practice. Providers must demonstrate person-centred supports that respect individual values, beliefs, culture, privacy, and dignity. Communication must be tailored to each participant’s needs, and supports should enable genuine choice and control.
2. Governance and operational management: Strong governance isn’t optional. This includes having clear policies and procedures, effective risk management frameworks, incident and complaint management systems, qualified leadership, and continuous quality improvement processes. Providers must show they’re operating professionally, ethically, and sustainably.
3. Provision of supports: This covers how supports are actually delivered. Service agreements must be clear and fair, support plans must be developed collaboratively with participants, and there must be regular monitoring and review to ensure goals are being met. Providers need skilled, appropriately trained workers who understand their responsibilities.
4. Provision of supports environments: The physical and social environment where supports are provided must be safe, clean, and conducive to participant well-being. This includes infection control, mealtime management for those who need it, emergency and disaster preparedness, and ensuring the environment promotes independence and community participation.
Quality indicators measure what matters
Quality indicators are the specific measures auditors use to assess whether providers are meeting the Practice Standards. They’re not abstract concepts but practical benchmarks that show whether participants are receiving the quality of support they deserve.
For example, quality indicators might examine whether participants are involved in decisions about their supports, whether privacy is respected, whether workers have appropriate training, or whether there are effective systems for managing incidents and complaints.
SIL operational guidelines
Beyond the Practice Standards, the SIL Operational Guidelines provide detailed, practical guidance on day-to-day operations. These cover everything from service bookings and funding management to meal planning, medication support, and managing vacancies in shared homes.
Key compliance considerations cover things like service bookings and funding, where providers must maintain detailed records of service bookings and cannot claim for services without established bookings (unless the participant’s plan is self-managed or plan-managed). This protects participant funding and ensures supports align with what’s actually in their NDIS plan.
Why compliance matters for participants
Safety and protection
Robust compliance frameworks help prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They ensure incidents are properly reported, investigated, and addressed. They create accountability when things go wrong.
Quality of life
When providers genuinely meet quality standards, participants receive supports that respect their dignity, promote their independence, and help them achieve their goals. It’s the difference between merely existing and truly living.
Choice and control
Compliance requirements around person-centred planning, service agreements, and participant involvement ensure people with disability have a genuine say in their supports, and not just lip service to choice and control.
Consistency and reliability
Standards create a baseline of quality across the sector. Participants can have greater confidence that their provider will deliver reliable, professional supports regardless of which organisation they choose.
What this means for choosing a SIL provider
Registration status
From July 2026, all SIL providers must be registered. Check whether your provider is registered with the NDIS Commission and what their compliance history looks like.
Audit results
Registered providers undergo independent audits. While audit reports aren’t always public, reputable providers should be willing to discuss how they meet quality standards.
Person-centred approach
Look beyond the paperwork. Does the provider genuinely involve participants in decisions? Do they respect individual preferences, routines, and goals? Do participants seem happy and empowered?
Staff training and support
Ask about worker qualifications, training programs, and how the provider ensures staff are skilled and supported to deliver quality care.
Transparency
Good providers are open about their policies, processes, and how they handle incidents and complaints. If a provider is evasive or defensive when you ask questions, that’s a red flag.
Continuous improvement
Quality providers don’t just meet minimum standards, they’re always looking for ways to improve. Ask about their quality improvement initiatives and how they gather and respond to participant feedback.
The road ahead
The NDIS Commission’s regulatory reform program represents a fundamental shift towards stronger safeguards and higher quality in SIL. While change can feel overwhelming, it’s ultimately about creating a system where people with disability receive the support they need to live fulfilling, independent lives.
For providers like Centre Disability Support, staying ahead of these changes isn’t just about compliance — it’s about demonstrating a genuine commitment to quality, safety, and person-centred care. The providers who will thrive in this new phase are those who embrace these standards not as burdens, but as opportunities to deliver truly excellent support.
As we move towards mandatory registration in 2026 and the implementation of new SIL-specific Practice Standards, participants and their families should feel empowered to ask questions, expect high standards, and hold providers accountable. These reforms are designed to put power back in the hands of people with disability, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
Conclusion
NDIS compliance and quality standards in SIL are the foundation of safe, respectful, and empowering support. As the sector evolves, these standards will continue to strengthen, creating a system that truly serves the people it’s designed to support.
Whether you’re currently receiving SIL supports, considering it as an option, or supporting someone in their NDIS journey, understanding these compliance frameworks helps you make informed decisions and advocate for the quality of care everyone deserves.
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