About NDIS Practice Standards reform
The NDIS Practice Standards set out the quality and safety standards that registered NDIS providers must meet when delivering supports to NDIS participants. NDIS Practice Standards help to ensure participants can engage with providers to shape the way that quality and safe supports are delivered.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) is progressing the following projects to improve the NDIS Practice Standards:
- new supported independent living (SIL) Practice Standards
- NDIS Practice Standards review.
New NDIS Practice Standards for supported independent living (SIL)
Recent reviews and the NDIS Commission’s Own Motion Inquiry into Aspects of Supported Accommodation (OMI) highlighted risks in supported independent living. These risks have been identified by participants, supporters, advocates, and the NDIS Commission.
In December 2025 the Minister for the NDIS announced that SIL providers must register from 1 July 2026, and comply with the new NDIS Practice Standards for supported independent living.
We worked with Inclusion Australia to develop NDIS Practice Standards for supported independent living. This was done alongside people with disability to ensure participant voices are at the core of the new standard.
Changes to Practice Standards for supported independent living
- Providers of supported independent living supports will be required to comply with the new supported independent living Practice Standards from 1 July 2026.
- The new supported independent living Practice Standards focus on quality and safety in shared accommodation with daily supports, as well as improving guidance for frontline workers.
- The NDIS Commission has released the draft supported independent living Practice Standards module.
- The NDIS Commission has developed the Supported independent living – New rules for good and safe support Easy Read style factsheet, to help people understand the proposed new Practice Standards.
- For details on mandatory registration and transitional pathways:
The final Practice Standards for supported independent living will be published on the NDIS Practice Standards page before 1 July 2026.
NDIS Practice Standards review
The NDIS Commission undertook a national consultation to support the NDIS Practice Standards Review.
Through consultation, we sought feedback on developing an NDIS Quality Framework and proposed changes to the NDIS Practice Standards and their assessment. This explored whether obligations are appropriate and focused on what matters. The consultation also explored how guidance can better support the delivery of high-quality, safe, participant‑centred supports.
The NDIS Commission is considering feedback, insights and recommendations from the national consultation process to inform the next steps of the NDIS Practice Standards Review.
Information from the consultation was used to support the development of the supported independent living Practice Standards. This included the introduction of Expectation Statements, which highlight the perspectives of participants, workers and providers and guidance material to emphasise what ‘good’ looks like when delivering supported independent living supports.