From 1 July 2026, providers delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or have started transitioning to registration. These changes are designed to strengthen participant safeguards, improve quality standards, and increase accountability across SIL services.
If you receive SIL funding, you may be wondering what these changes mean for your support team, your provider, and your day-to-day supports.
The good news is that if you use Careseekers for SIL supports, nothing changes. Careseekers is a registered NDIS provider and can continue supporting participants and independent support workers without interruption.
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding that helps people with disability receive daily support while living as independently as possible.
SIL funding is designed for participants who need ongoing assistance with everyday activities such as:
- Personal care
- Household tasks
- Meal preparation
- Medication support
- Developing independent living skills
- Overnight support where required
While SIL is often associated with shared living arrangements or group homes, it can support a range of living situations depending on a participant's goals and needs.
This may include:
- Living independently
- Living with family
- Sharing with friends or housemates
- Living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- Receiving support in your own home
The focus of SIL is not where you live. The focus is the support you need to live safely and independently.
What Is Changing for SIL Providers?
The NDIS is introducing new registration requirements for providers delivering SIL supports.
From 1 July 2026, SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or have started transitioning towards registration.
The purpose of these changes is to:
- Improve participant safety
- Strengthen quality standards
- Increase provider accountability
- Ensure consistent safeguards across SIL services
Can I Keep My Existing Support Workers?
In many cases, yes.
One of the biggest concerns participants have raised is whether they can continue working with the support workers they know and trust.
The answer depends on how your current support arrangements are structured and whether your provider can continue delivering SIL supports under the new registration requirements.
Many participants are choosing to bring their existing support teams onto Careseekers so they can maintain continuity of care while continuing to work with independent support workers they already know.
What Happens if My SIL Provider Isn't Registered?
If your SIL supports are currently delivered through an unregistered provider, they will need to have begun transitioning to registration by 1 October 2026 to continue providing SIL supports.
If they do not meet the registration requirements, participants may need to consider alternative arrangements.
Because support relationships are often built over many years, it is important to discuss any potential changes with your provider as early as possible.
What Actually Counts as SIL?
An important change that many participants and families are unaware of is that the definition of what qualifies as SIL has become more clearly focused on who manages and delivers the support arrangement.
Historically, some arrangements were classified as SIL simply because a provider sourced support workers.
Today, the key consideration is often who manages the workforce and support delivery.
As a general guide:
- If a provider manages support workers, creates rosters, and coordinates ongoing support delivery, the arrangement is more likely to be considered SIL.
- If a participant or family directly engages and manages their own support workers, the arrangement may not be considered SIL, even if a large number of support hours are involved.
- If a provider is involved but only delivers a low level of support coordination, the arrangement may not meet SIL requirements.
This distinction is important because it can affect how supports are funded, reported and managed.
If you are unsure whether your current arrangements are classified correctly, consider discussing your situation with your provider, support coordinator, planner, or the NDIA.
How Does SIL Work on Careseekers?
Careseekers is a registered NDIS provider.
Through Careseekers, participants can connect directly with independent, self-employed support workers while maintaining choice and control over who provides their supports.
Unlike traditional provider models, Careseekers does not employ support workers or operate group homes. Instead, participants build their own support teams based on their preferences, goals and support needs.
This approach allows participants to:
- Choose their own support workers
- Maintain continuity of care
- Build long-term support relationships
- Keep greater control over how support is delivered
- Continue working with independent support workers
Many participants are also bringing existing support workers onto Careseekers so they can continue receiving support from people they already know and trust.
What Does This Mean for Careseekers Participants?
Nothing changes.
Careseekers is already registered to deliver SIL supports and will continue meeting all registration, audit and compliance requirements.
Participants can continue using Careseekers and working with their chosen support workers without disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do SIL providers need to be registered?
Yes. SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or have started transitioning towards registration under the new requirements.
Can I keep my current support workers?
In many cases, yes. The answer depends on your provider arrangements and how your supports are delivered.
Can I use independent support workers with SIL funding?
Depending on your support arrangements, participants may continue working with independent support workers through registered provider models such as Careseekers.
Is SIL the same as SDA?
No. SIL funds support services, while SDA funds specialist housing.
What should I do if I'm unsure about my SIL arrangements?
Speak with your provider, support coordinator, planner or the NDIA to confirm how your current supports are classified and whether any changes may be required.
Read: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11561-mandatory-registration-supported-independent-living-sil-and-ndis-digital-platform-providers
Read: What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: Am I Eligible for Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: How Does Supported Independent Living (SIL) Funding Work?
Read: Can I Receive Supported Independent Living (SIL) Funding While Living in My Own Home?
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