New NDIS Practice Standards for Supported Independent Living took effect on 1 July 2026. They strengthen expectations around decisions, safeguarding, practice governance and housing arrangements.
1. Your decisions remain central
SIL providers should give accessible information, understand a participant’s will and preferences and support genuine choices about daily life. This includes respecting dignity of risk: working with the person to understand and manage risk without unnecessarily removing independence.
2. A SIL house is the participant’s home
Safeguarding should be proactive, respectful and person-centred. Participants should experience privacy, dignity, cultural safety and a home environment free from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
3. Workers need the right capability
Providers need governance that translates rights and person-centred practice into everyday support. Workers should be trained, competent and supported to deliver the participant’s agreed support safely and consistently.
4. Housing and support arrangements should be clear
Where a provider is involved in both housing and support, tenancy or occupancy information and the service agreement should be accessible and separated where required. Participants should understand costs, responsibilities, keys, private space, visitors, complaints and how changing support may affect—or should not unnecessarily destabilise—the home.
5. House compatibility matters
Vacancy decisions should seek and respect current and prospective residents’ preferences. A participant should have meaningful opportunities to learn about the home, meet people and consider routines, communication, accessibility and compatibility before deciding.
Questions to take to a provider
- How will you support me to make decisions?
- How do you assess housemate compatibility?
- Can I see the housing and support agreements separately?
- Who controls the home and who provides support?
- What happens if I want to change providers?
This article is general information based on the NDIS Commission’s SIL Practice Standards effective 1 July 2026. Check the Commission website for the full current standards.