Key Points:

  • Mandatory registration for SIL and platform providers begins July 1, 2026
  • Currently, only 8% of NDIS providers are registered (21,387 registered vs 245,762 unregistered)
  • The SIL market is worth $15.9 billion annually, up from $12.3 billion two years ago
  • Platform providers like Hireup, Mable, and others that connect participants with workers will need to register
  • Registered providers face quality standards, independent audits, suitability assessments, worker screening, and reporting requirements
  • Government message to non-compliant providers: “shape up or ship out”
  • Changes aim to increase safeguarding while maintaining participant choice and control

What Is Mandatory NDIS Provider Registration?

On December 17, 2025, NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister announced that mandatory registration for Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers and platform providers will begin on July 1, 2026.

This represents one of the biggest regulatory shifts to the NDIS since the scheme began. For the first time, providers delivering certain high-risk supports will be legally required to register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (QSC) or cease operating.

Currently, provider registration is voluntary for most service types. While registered providers undergo rigorous quality checks, audits, and compliance requirements, unregistered providers face minimal oversight. They do not need to formally notify authorities of serious incidents like deaths or abuse, and they operate largely outside the Commission’s regulatory reach.

From July 1, 2026, that changes for two critical categories of providers: those delivering Supported Independent Living (SIL) and those operating platform services that connect participants with support workers.

What Is SIL (Supported Independent Living)?

Supported Independent Living is an NDIS accommodation support option, often including group homes, where funding is allocated for workers to supervise people with high support needs and help them with daily tasks like showering, dressing, cooking, and cleaning.

SIL is one of the most expensive and critical parts of the NDIS. At the end of September 2025, there were 36,641 participants in SIL arrangements. According to the scheme’s most recent annual report:

  • $4.2 billion was provided for SIL supports in the September 2025 quarter alone
  • Total annual payments to SIL participants have increased from $12.3 billion to $15.9 billion over the last two years
  • This represents roughly one-third of all NDIS spending

Because SIL participants often have higher support needs and live in congregate settings where they may be more vulnerable to harm, the government has designated SIL as a high-risk support requiring mandatory registration.

What Are Platform Providers?

Platform providers are online services and marketplaces that help match NDIS participants with support workers. These platforms typically:

  • Allow participants to search for and connect with disability support workers
  • Facilitate worker-participant matching based on location, availability, skills, and preferences
  • May handle invoicing, payments, and administrative tasks
  • Often facilitate “high-volume, low-visibility interactions,” as the NDIS Commission described them

Examples of platform providers include Hireup (Australia’s largest NDIS-registered online provider platform), Mable, and similar services. Note that some platforms have disputed whether they fall under the NDIS Commission’s definition of “platform provider,” with debates on Reddit and other forums about which services are genuinely affected.

The government argues that because platform providers facilitate a high volume of interactions between participants and workers, often with limited visibility into the quality and safety of those interactions, they present safeguarding risks that require regulatory oversight.

What Does Registration Require?

Once mandatory registration begins on July 1, 2026, all SIL and platform providers will be subject to:

1. Quality Standards and Practice Standards

Providers must meet the NDIS Practice Standards, which set out expectations for service delivery, rights and responsibilities, and organisational governance. For SIL providers specifically, new Practice Standards are being developed that will focus on:

  • Quality and safety in shared accommodation
  • Daily support delivery
  • Improved worker training requirements
  • The conduct of SIL audits

2. Independent Audits

Registered providers undergo independent audits to verify they meet the Practice Standards. Auditors assess everything from worker qualifications and training to incident management processes and participant safeguarding policies.

Providers must pay for these audits, which can cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the size and complexity of the organisation. Read our guide on how to become an NDIS provider for detailed pricing information.

3. Suitability Assessments

The NDIS Commission conducts suitability assessments of provider organisations and key personnel. This includes checking whether the provider has the capability, experience, and financial viability to deliver quality supports safely.

Providers with a history of serious incidents, compliance breaches, or financial instability may be deemed unsuitable and refused registration.

4. Worker Screening Checks

All workers employed or engaged by registered providers must undergo NDIS Worker Screening Checks. This involves checking criminal history, relevant disciplinary findings, and assessing whether the person poses a risk to people with disability.

Worker screening is separate from general police checks and is specifically designed for the disability sector, considering the unique vulnerabilities of NDIS participants.

5. Reporting Requirements

Registered providers must report certain incidents to the NDIS Commission, including:

  • Death of a participant
  • Serious injury
  • Abuse or neglect
  • Unauthorised use of restrictive practices
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Unlawful use of force

These “reportable incidents” must be notified to the Commission within 24 hours (for immediate notifications) or five business days (for standard notifications), depending on severity.

Unregistered providers currently have no such obligation, meaning serious harm can occur without the regulator’s knowledge.

6. Compliance With the NDIS Code of Conduct

All registered providers and their workers must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct, which sets minimum standards for behaviour, including acting with respect, integrity, and care, protecting people from harm, and not exploiting participants.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct can result in compliance action, banning orders, or criminal prosecution. Registered providers must also maintain appropriate NDIS provider insurance to protect participants and their business.

Why Is Registration Becoming Mandatory?

The decision to make registration mandatory for SIL and platform providers follows extensive consultation and responds to recommendations from three major reviews:

  1. The NDIS Review (Independent Review of the NDIS, final report December 2023)
  2. The Disability Royal Commission (Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, final report September 2023)
  3. The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce (delivered recommendations in mid-2024)

All three called for stronger safeguards and better regulatory oversight of high-risk supports.

The Safeguarding Problem

The Disability Royal Commission heard harrowing evidence that people with disability are harmed at rates much higher than other Australians, often in unregulated settings. In congregate care settings like group homes, the risk is even higher.

At the end of 2024, only 8% of NDIS service providers were registered (21,387 registered providers versus 245,762 unregistered providers). This means the vast majority of providers operate with minimal regulatory oversight.

While many unregistered providers deliver excellent support, the lack of mandatory standards creates opportunities for poor practice, exploitation, and harm.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said mandatory registration will give authorities “greater visibility and control over who operates in the NDIS market.”

“We want providers to meet clear and consistent standards so participants can feel confident about the supports they receive,” she said.

The Government’s Message to Non-Compliant Providers

Minister McAllister made the government’s position clear: “It’s likely there are some unregistered providers currently operating who wouldn’t meet the high standards required of registered providers. These providers will need to either shape up or ship out.”

She added: “Stronger regulation of providers means better protections for NDIS participants and a stronger, safer NDIS.”

The government expects some providers currently operating in the SIL and platform spaces will not meet registration requirements and will exit the market. This is seen as a feature, not a bug, of the policy.

Which Providers Are Affected?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) Providers

If you deliver in-home supports so people with disability can live as independently as possible, including in shared accommodation, you must register by July 1, 2026. This includes:

  • Group home operators
  • SIL support providers who deliver personal care, meal preparation, cleaning, and other daily tasks
  • Organisations managing SIL rosters and coordination

Platform Providers

If you operate an online marketplace that connects NDIS participants with support workers, you must register. The NDIS Commission has defined platform providers as those that facilitate “high-volume, low-visibility interactions” between participants and workers.

This likely includes:

  • Hireup (which has publicly welcomed the announcement and pledged to work with the government)
  • Services like Mable, though some debate exists about whether certain platforms meet the Commission’s definition
  • Other online marketplaces facilitating worker-participant matching

Some platforms have argued they do not fall under the definition because they do not directly employ workers or deliver supports. The NDIS Commission will provide more detailed guidance in early 2026 on exactly which platforms are captured. See our comparison of the best NDIS platforms for more details on different services.

Who Is NOT Affected by This Change?

Providers delivering other types of NDIS supports (like therapy services, transport, plan management, or individual support work where they are not a platform) can still choose whether to register.

Many therapists, allied health professionals, and support workers operate as sole traders or small businesses and are not required to register unless they choose to or are delivering SIL or platform services.

What About Choice and Control?

One of the NDIS’s founding principles is choice and control. Participants are meant to decide who supports them and how their funding is used. Some advocates worry that mandatory registration will reduce options, force people to use big providers, and undermine participant autonomy.

George Taleporos, independent chair of Every Australian Counts, said requiring SIL and platform providers to register is “a good move,” but added an important caveat:

“This must come with a clear government guarantee that these changes will not impact on the choice and control of people with disability and our families who live in individualised living arrangements, including people who self-direct supports and directly engage support workers.”

Dr Taleporos said people using individualised arrangements should be able to continue doing so and not be forced “to use providers who are more costly and less able to meet our needs.”

The government has said mandatory registration targets institutional and platform settings where safeguarding risks are highest. People who self-manage their plans and directly employ their own support workers are not affected. You can still hire and pay individual support workers without requiring them to be part of a registered provider.

However, if you receive SIL supports or use a platform service to find workers, those providers will need to be registered from July 1, 2026.

Support From the Disability Sector

National Disability Services (NDS)

The peak body for disability service providers, National Disability Services, said mandatory registration for SIL and digital platform providers is “a practical, proportionate step.”

CEO Michael Perusco said: “Registration is a basic requirement in most other sectors without restricting choice and the disability sector should be no different. Providers who are committed to delivering high quality supports will adjust to a fairer regulatory approach and continue to deliver services.”

Perusco added that NDS “strongly supports better safeguarding and quality for participants.”

Hireup

Hireup, Australia’s largest NDIS-registered online provider platform, welcomed the announcement and pledged to work with the government going forward. As a platform already registered with the NDIS Commission, Hireup is well-positioned to comply with the new requirements.

Provider Concerns

While peak bodies and some large providers support the changes, smaller providers and those currently unregistered have expressed concerns about:

  • Cost: Registration fees, audit costs, and compliance expenses can run into tens of thousands of dollars annually
  • Bureaucracy: Registered providers report significant administrative burden maintaining compliance
  • Labour shortages: Some worry that increased compliance requirements will make it harder to recruit and retain workers in a sector already facing severe workforce shortages
  • Market consolidation: Smaller providers may struggle to afford registration, potentially reducing participant choice and creating a market dominated by large corporate providers

The government acknowledges these concerns but argues safeguarding must take priority. The NDIS Commission says it will provide transition support and guidance to help providers prepare.

Timeline and Transition Arrangements

July 1, 2026: Mandatory registration begins for SIL and platform providers.

Early 2026: The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will release detailed information and guidance on transition arrangements. This will include:

  • Clarification of which providers are captured by the platform provider definition
  • Application processes and timelines
  • Support for providers transitioning to registration
  • Information about the new SIL Practice Standards

Transition period: While the requirement begins July 1, the Commission is expected to provide some transition period for providers currently delivering services to complete the registration process. Exact details have not been announced.

Ongoing compliance: Registration is not a once-off exercise. Commissioner Glanville emphasised that “providers must continuously meet quality standards or be held accountable.”

What This Means for Participants

If You Receive SIL Supports

From July 1, 2026, your SIL provider must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If your current provider is not registered and does not intend to become registered, you will need to find a new provider.

What you should do:

  1. Ask your SIL provider if they are already registered or planning to register by July 1, 2026
  2. Check registration status on the NDIS Commission provider register
  3. Understand your rights as a participant in a registered service, including your right to make complaints and have incidents reported
  4. Plan for transition if your provider cannot or will not register

If You Use Platform Services

If you use an online platform to find and connect with support workers, check whether that platform is captured by the new requirements. Platforms like Hireup that are already registered will continue operating as normal.

If your platform is not registered and does not plan to register, you may need to find workers through other means, such as:

  • Directly advertising and hiring your own workers (if you self-manage)
  • Using a registered platform provider
  • Connecting with workers through disability networks and community organisations

Better Safeguards

The main benefit to participants is increased safety and quality assurance. Registered SIL and platform providers:

  • Must report serious incidents to the regulator
  • Undergo independent audits to verify quality standards
  • Have workers with NDIS Worker Screening Checks
  • Are held accountable for breaches of the NDIS Code of Conduct
  • Face compliance action if they fail to meet standards

This does not guarantee harm will never occur, but it significantly increases oversight and accountability.

What Providers Need to Do Now

If you are a SIL or platform provider (or think you might be captured by these definitions), here are the steps you need to take:

1. Determine If You Are Affected

  • Do you deliver SIL supports (in-home assistance for people living independently or in shared accommodation)?
  • Do you operate a platform connecting NDIS participants with support workers?

If the answer is yes to either question, you will likely need to register by July 1, 2026. Wait for the NDIS Commission’s detailed guidance in early 2026 to confirm.

2. Check Your Current Registration Status

If you are already registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, you are ahead of the game. Ensure your registration is current and covers the registration groups for SIL or platform services as applicable.

3. Prepare for Registration

If you are not currently registered, begin preparing now:

  • Review the NDIS Practice Standards
  • Ensure all workers have or are obtaining NDIS Worker Screening Checks
  • Implement incident management and reporting systems
  • Develop policies for safeguarding, rights, and governance
  • Budget for registration fees and audit costs

4. Engage With the NDIS Commission

The Commission will provide transition support and guidance. Attend information sessions, read the guidance materials, and reach out if you have questions.

5. Consider Whether to Continue Operating

Some providers may decide that the cost and compliance burden of registration is not sustainable for their business model. If you choose to exit the market, work with your participants to ensure smooth transitions to other providers.

How MD Home Care Supports Quality Connections

MD Home Care is a connection platform that helps NDIS participants find providers across a range of services. We verify provider details before listing them in our network.

While MD Home Care itself is not a provider and does not deliver support services, we help participants connect with providers who value quality, compliance, and participant-centred care.

From July 1, 2026, participants looking for SIL providers or platform services will be able to use MD Home Care to find registered providers who meet the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s standards.

Browse accommodation support providers and specialist support coordinators to find professionals committed to quality, safety, and participant choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does mandatory registration start?

Mandatory registration for SIL and platform providers begins July 1, 2026. Providers delivering these supports must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission by this date or cease operating.

What happens to providers who don’t register?

Providers who do not register by July 1, 2026, will not be able to legally deliver SIL or platform services under the NDIS. The NDIS Commission has enforcement powers including banning orders and financial penalties for providers operating without required registration.

How much does registration cost?

Registration costs vary based on the size of your organisation and the number of registration groups you need. Fees include annual registration fees and the cost of independent audits. Small providers may pay several thousand dollars annually, while large providers can pay tens of thousands.

Will this reduce my choice as a participant?

The government says mandatory registration should not affect participants who self-manage and directly employ their own workers. However, if you use SIL or platform services, your options will be limited to registered providers. Some worry this could reduce choice if smaller providers exit the market due to compliance costs.

How many providers are currently registered?

At the end of 2024, only 8% of NDIS service providers were registered. That’s 21,387 registered providers compared to 245,762 unregistered providers. Mandatory registration for SIL and platform providers will significantly increase the proportion of registered providers.

Can I still hire my own support workers?

Yes. If you self-manage your plan or use a plan manager, you can still directly hire and pay your own support workers without them being part of a registered provider. Mandatory registration applies to SIL providers and platform providers, not to individual workers you employ directly.

What is a platform provider exactly?

The NDIS Commission defines platform providers as online services that connect participants with support workers, often facilitating “high-volume, low-visibility interactions.” Examples include Hireup and potentially Mable and similar services. The Commission will provide detailed guidance in early 2026 clarifying exactly which platforms are captured.

Are allied health providers affected?

No. Allied health professionals like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychologists are not affected by this change unless they also deliver SIL or platform services. Registration remains voluntary for most allied health and therapy services.

What if my SIL provider refuses to register?

If your SIL provider cannot or will not register by July 1, 2026, you will need to transition to a registered provider. Talk to your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, or the NDIA about finding alternative SIL providers. Start planning early to ensure a smooth transition.

How do I check if a provider is registered?

You can check provider registration status on the NDIS Commission’s online register. Search by provider name or registration number to see their current status, registration groups, and any conditions or compliance actions.

Will registration guarantee quality?

Registration sets minimum standards and increases oversight, but it does not guarantee quality in every case. Registered providers can still have incidents and issues. However, registration means providers are subject to audits, reporting requirements, and compliance action if standards are not met, which significantly improves accountability.

Key Resources

This article was published on 17 February 2026. NDIS provider registration requirements are subject to change. Always check the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website for the most current information.

Looking for registered NDIS providers? Browse accommodation support and behaviour support services to connect with quality providers committed to participant safety and choice.