For the first time since the NDIS began, delivering one type of support without registration is now against the law. From 1 July 2026, every provider of Supported Independent Living (SIL) and every NDIS digital platform must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, or be in the process of applying.
That single change has left many families asking a bigger question: which of my providers actually need to be registered? The answer is different for SIL providers, support coordinators and support workers, and knowing the difference helps you vet any provider with confidence. Unisson Disability has put together this guide to walk you through the rules as they stand in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- SIL providers and NDIS digital platforms now need to be registered, with new rules taking effect from 1 July 2026.
- Support coordinators do not currently have to be registered, although some supports, such as Specialist Disability Accommodation and plan management, already require registered providers.
- Checking a provider’s registration, experience and safeguards can help you make an informed choice. If you need help choosing an NDIS provider, contact Unisson Disability.
Do SIL providers need to be registered?
Yes. The NDIS confirmed that mandatory registration for SIL providers applies from 1 July 2026. The rules work like this:
- Providers already registered for SIL continue as normal, with a new SIL practice standard applying to their audits.
- Providers who were delivering SIL without registration must apply to register by 1 October 2026. They can keep operating while their application is assessed, but if they don’t apply by that date, or their application is refused, they must stop delivering SIL.
- New providers entering the market cannot deliver SIL at all until their registration is approved.
The same mandatory registration applies to NDIS digital platforms, meaning the apps and websites that match participants with workers.
What happens to my plan if my provider doesn’t register?
Nothing happens to your funding. The NDIS has confirmed that plans and budgets do not change. If your provider chooses not to register, you would need to move to one that is, and your support coordinator or the NDIA can help you do that.
Do support coordinators need to be registered?
Not at this stage. Mandatory registration was originally flagged for support coordination as well, but the NDIS Commission has paused that reform while the government considers broader changes to how support coordination works.
A few distinctions still matter here:
- Specialist support coordinators were already required to be registered, and that hasn’t changed.
- If your plan is agency managed, you can only use registered providers for any support, including coordination.
- If your plan is self managed or plan managed, you can currently choose a registered or unregistered support coordinator.
So if you’ve been asking whether your support coordinator is breaking a rule by being unregistered, the answer today is no. It’s still fair to ask a coordinator about their qualifications, experience and insurance, since registration is one signal of quality rather than the only one.
Which other supports always require a registered provider?
Some supports have required registration all along, regardless of how your plan is managed. These include Specialist Disability Accommodation, behaviour support involving regulated restrictive practices, and plan management. If a provider offers you any of these without being registered, that’s a red flag worth acting on.
How to check whether a provider is registered
You don’t have to take a provider’s word for it. Every registered provider has a registration number you can ask for, and the NDIS website has a provider finder that lists registered organisations. Registration means the provider has been audited by an approved external auditor against the NDIS Practice Standards, meets worker screening requirements, follows the NDIS Code of Conduct and reports to the NDIS Commission on an ongoing basis.
Questions worth asking any provider
Whether a provider is registered or not, a short conversation tells you a lot. Ask how long they’ve been operating, how they screen and train their staff, how they handle complaints and incidents, and who you can speak to if something isn’t working. A quality provider welcomes those questions.
Choosing a registered provider with a long track record
The new rules exist because people living in supported accommodation deserve consistent safeguards, and families deserve an easy way to tell who has been checked against national standards. Unisson Disability is a registered NDIS provider (registration number 4050090458) and has supported people with intellectual and developmental disability across Northern Sydney, Western Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter for over 100 years. Our Supported Independent Living services already operate under the standards the new rules require, so nothing changes for the people we support. If you’re vetting providers for yourself or a family member and want to talk it through, contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
My family member lives in a SIL house with an unregistered provider. Do we need to move them now?
Not immediately. If the provider applies for registration by 1 October 2026, they can continue delivering SIL while the application is assessed, and the NDIA will contact you if anything changes. It’s reasonable to ask your provider directly whether they’ve applied.
Does an unregistered support worker mean unsafe support?
No, many unregistered workers and providers deliver good support, and all providers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct regardless of registration. Registration adds external auditing and reporting on top of that baseline, which is why the government is expanding it for higher risk supports first.
What is an NDIS digital platform provider?
It’s an app or website that connects participants directly with support workers, in the way a rideshare app connects drivers and passengers. These platforms now require registration from 1 July 2026 because they sit between participants and the workers in their homes.