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Important information for platform providers, support coordinators, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers

Please note: The requirement for affected providers to be registered will be phased in and there will be a transition period. No action is currently required.

Registration of platform providers, support coordinators, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers – what does it mean?

The NDIS Registration and Workforce Taskforce (Taskforce) was established in February 2024 to provide expert advice, in consultation with the disability community, on the design and implementation of a new graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model. The Taskforce recommended a human rights focused risk-proportionate graduated model that advances quality and safety in disability support services. The proposed graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model includes changes to regulatory obligations, audit and monitoring through a risk based approach. 

The NDIS Commission has completed three NDIS Commissioner initiated Own Motion Inquiries (OMIs) into Aspects of Supported Accommodation, Support Coordination and Plan Management, and Platform Providers. The Inquiries have identified these supports and services have increased risk due to the opportunity for violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. The Taskforce has recommended these supports be registered. 

On 16 September 2024 the Minister for Government Services and the NDIS, the Hon Bill Shorten MP announced the registration of all platform providers, support coordinators and SIL providers as a priority, to strengthen the quality and safety of supports.

Making this change will take time, needs to be well planned and be done in consultation with NDIS participants and the provider sectors impacted. The NDIS Commission is planning to start consulting on this process in October 2024.

I am an unregistered platform provider, support coordinator or SIL provider – do I need to register now?

Not immediately. NDIS Rule changes are required, and an approach to support unregistered providers and participants using unregistered providers to transition to registration will be determined through consultation. The NDIS Commission will provide information for providers to stay informed about upcoming changes and prepare for future registration requirements. Consultation will occur in the coming weeks. 

What does it mean to be a registered NDIS provider?

The NDIS Commission is responsible for the registration of NDIS providers. There are a number of requirements providers must meet to maintain registration with the NDIS Commission and include: 

  • upholding and demonstrating compliance with the Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice Standards
  • having an in-house complaints management and resolution system
  • having an in-house incident management system
  • fulfilling worker screening requirements. 

Becoming registered means providers have to uphold the rights of people with disability, be responsive to the needs of NDIS participants and strengthen the delivery of quality supports and services.

How will registration of affected providers be rolled out? 

The NDIS Commission will be progressing NDIS Rules changes to mandate the registration of all platform providers, support coordinators and SIL providers. An approach to transition will be informed through consultation with participants and providers about how mandatory registration of these supports will be transitioned. 

This process will start with consultation from October 2024. 

What will the future regulatory model look like? 

Consultation with the disability community will occur shortly on the design elements of a new regulatory model. The information gathered through the consultation process will assist with future decision on the proposed changes to the registration model.

The NDIS Commission is already consulting with the sector about new NDIS Practice Standards for group living arrangements where supports are shared. Are these consultations different to the ones about the new regulatory model? 

Yes. The NDIS Commission is currently undertaking consultations Australia wide on three topics: 

  • Review of existing NDIS Practice Standards.
  • New NDIS Practice Standards where supports are shared in a group living arrangement.
  • The practical and legal separation of SIL and Specialist Disability Accommodation. 

The NDIS Commission plans to complete this round of consultation by 2024. Further consultations around the requirement for platform providers, support coordinators and SIL providers to register will occur following these consultations. This will include consultation about transition arrangements.

How do I get more information?

Please continue to check in with the NDIS Commission through our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

We will provide information and updates through our website.

Also look out for an email newsletter we will send out via the NDIA.

You can read NDIS Minister Bill Shorten’s media release here. 

Learn more about the Own Motion Inquiries conducted by the NDIS Commission: