The EFQC Enquirer: 15 June 2026

EFQC Update

June has been another busy month for the EFQC team with our continuing EFQC’s commitment to supporting providers to understand and navigate the rapidly changing NDIS landscape.

Sharon Floyd delivered presentations for both the Stretton Centre, City of Playford and the City of Marion, sharing practical insights into NDIS compliance, registration requirements, quality systems and audit readiness. These sessions brought together providers from across South Australia who are seeking to better understand the evolving regulatory environment and prepare their organisations for future changes.

The City of Marion workshop was a sell-out event, delivered in partnership with leadership and workplace culture specialist Donna Adams. Sharon provided an update on current compliance, registration and audit requirements, while Donna explored practical strategies to help providers build sustainable organisations and confidently navigate uncertainty.

At the Stretton Centre session, Sharon spoke with a highly engaged group of disability service providers about NDIS compliance, quality systems and registration pathways. Both workshops reinforced the importance of strong governance, tailored systems and a proactive approach to compliance as the sector prepares for significant regulatory change.

Sharon also recently presented at the 2026 SILSDA Summit, focused on navigating the new era of NDIS reform and compliance. As one of the keynote presenters, Sharon joined David Moody from Management Governance Australia and Michael Fuller from Fuller Insights to explore the significant reforms currently impacting SIL and SDA providers. Thank you to Lynn Gabriel for organising such a valuable day and creating a space for open and practical discussion across the sector.

Sharon will continue these discussions this month by participating in several national industry events.

Major SIL Reforms Announced: What Providers Need to Know

The NDIS Commission has released significant new reform details that will reshape the way Supported Independent Living (SIL) services are regulated, registered and monitored across Australia.

The proposed reforms include a new SIL-specific registration group, draft SIL Practice Standards, mandatory registration transition arrangements for unregistered providers, and strengthened governance and ownership requirements.

While the reforms are still subject to consultation and legislative amendment, they provide the clearest indication yet of the Commission’s future expectations for SIL providers.

A New SIL Registration Group

One of the most significant proposed changes is the introduction of a dedicated SIL registration group:

0138 – Assistance with Supported Independent Living

This marks a major shift in the regulatory approach to SIL, formally recognising Supported Independent Living as a higher-risk support requiring additional oversight and stronger safeguarding requirements.

These changes are expected to impact a broader range of providers than many initially anticipated. Organisations delivering home and living supports should review their service models now to understand whether the proposed SIL definition and future registration requirements may apply to them.

Understanding the distinction between SIL and other accommodation and home and living supports will be critical as providers prepare for the new registration framework. For a practical explanation of these differences, see this month’s Ask the Expert with Sharon Floyd.

Draft SIL Practice Standards Released

The Commission has also released draft SIL Practice Standards that are proposed to apply alongside the Core Module requirements.

The draft standards place a much stronger focus on:

• Participant rights, choice and control
• Compatibility and wellbeing within shared living environments
• Supported decision-making
• Safeguarding and risk management
• Workforce capability and supervision
• Governance and accountability
• Demonstrating that systems work effectively in practice

For many providers, these requirements will extend beyond policy documentation and require clear evidence that systems are embedded, monitored and consistently implemented throughout the organisation.

What Does This Mean for Existing Registered SIL Providers?

The Commission has confirmed that providers already registered and delivering SIL supports will transition into the new framework through their existing registration arrangements.

While these providers will not be required to submit an entirely new registration application, they will need to demonstrate compliance with the revised SIL requirements and draft SIL Practice Standards through future audit and surveillance activities.

Importantly, existing registration does not automatically mean a provider will meet the proposed new SIL requirements.

Transition Arrangements for Existing Unregistered SIL Providers

The Commission has also clarified how the reforms will affect providers currently delivering SIL supports in an unregistered capacity.

From 1 July 2026, mandatory registration for SIL providers will commence and transition arrangements will take effect.

Existing unregistered SIL providers may continue operating while progressing through the registration process; however, providers must submit a valid registration application by 1 October 2026 if they wish to continue delivering SIL supports under the transitional arrangements.

This is a critical deadline for providers currently operating outside the registration framework.

Providers who do not submit a registration application by 1 October 2026 will be required to cease delivering SIL supports and may be unable to continue operating within this service area.

New SIL Providers Will Face Different Requirements 

The Commission has also indicated that providers entering the SIL market after the reforms commence will not have access to the same transitional arrangements.

In most cases, new providers will be required to obtain registration and meet the relevant SIL registration requirements before commencing SIL service delivery.

Increased Focus on Governance and Ownership Changes

Another significant reform area is the proposed strengthening of ownership and control requirements.

The Commission is proposing greater oversight of:

• Changes in ownership
• Changes in key personnel
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Provider control arrangements
• Changes affecting provider suitability assessments

The reforms also propose stronger notification requirements and increased scrutiny where governance or ownership structures change, including the introduction of change-of-ownership audit requirements for certain providers.

What Should Providers Be Doing Now?

Although the reforms are still progressing through consultation and implementation processes, providers should begin preparing now.

Key areas providers should review include:

• Governance and oversight arrangements
• Participant safeguarding systems
• SIL service delivery practices
• Workforce capability and supervision frameworks
• Risk management and incident management systems
• Evidence that policies and procedures are consistently implemented in practice

The clear message emerging from the proposed reforms is that compliance will increasingly focus on operational effectiveness, participant outcomes and provider accountability, not simply the existence of documented systems.

For providers currently delivering SIL services in an unregistered capacity, the message is clear: registration is coming and planning should start now. The transition period provides valuable time to prepare, but organisations should not wait until the final application deadline approaches.

The NDIS Commission’s direction is clear.

• Providers delivering SIL will need to transition into the new registrationframework and demonstrate compliance with strengthened SIL-specificrequirements.
• Existing unregistered SIL providers should begin preparing now to ensure they can meet the 1 October 2026 application deadline and continue delivering services under the transitional arrangements.

New NDIS Code of Conduct Video Focuses on Privacy

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has released another educational video as part of its ongoing Code of Conduct video series, helping providers better understand their obligations and what good practice looks like in everyday service delivery.

The latest video focuses on privacy, one of the eight key elements of the NDIS Code of Conduct.

While many providers associate privacy with protecting personal information and maintaining confidentiality, the Commission’s message is clear: privacy extends far beyond paperwork and record management.

Privacy also includes respecting a participant’s personal boundaries, dignity, cultural identity and individual preferences when delivering supports and services.

The video highlights the importance of understanding and documenting each participant’s privacy needs and ensuring staff deliver supports in a manner that respects the participant’s choices, personal space and right to dignity.

Importantly, the Commission reinforces that privacy is not something that can be addressed through policies alone. Providers must ensure they have appropriate systems, procedures, resources and workforce training in place to support privacy in practice and reduce the risk of participants feeling unsafe, uncomfortable or disrespected during service delivery.

Using a practical real-world scenario, the video demonstrates how privacy-related issues can arise and how providers and workers can apply the Code of Conduct in everyday situations. It serves as a useful reminder that compliance is not simply about having documented policies and procedures—it is about ensuring workers understand their responsibilities and consistently apply them when supporting participants.

For providers, this is an excellent opportunity to review:

• Privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures
• Staff induction and refresher training
• Participant  dignity and choice practices
• Documentation of participant preferences and support needs
• How privacy is monitored and reinforced in day-to-day service delivery

As regulatory scrutiny continues to increase, providers should expect a growing focus on demonstrating that workforce practices align with the NDIS Code of Conduct and that participants’ rights, dignity and privacy are actively protected.

We encourage all providers, managers and support workers to watch the video and discuss the practical lessons with their teams as part of ongoing quality improvement and workforce development activities.

Looking Beyond Compliance: New Resource Focuses on Everyday Harm

When we think about safeguarding, incidents and participant wellbeing, our minds often go to serious incidents or reportable events. However, new research is highlighting the importance of recognising and addressing the smaller interactions that can impact a person’s experience of support every day.

A new website has been launched as part of the Working Together to Prevent and Repair Everyday Harm to People with Disability research project, providing practical resources to help providers, workers, people with disability and families better understand the impact of everyday harm and what can be done to prevent it.

Everyday harm can occur through seemingly minor actions or interactions that leave a person feeling dismissed, disrespected, excluded, embarrassed or unheard. While these experiences may not always trigger a formal complaint or incident report, they can have a significant cumulative effect on a person’s confidence, trust and sense of belonging.

The project encourages providers to look beyond compliance and consider how organisational culture, communication and day-to-day practice influence participant experiences.

For disability service providers, this aligns closely with the growing regulatory focus on participant-centred practice, dignity, choice and control. It also serves as a reminder that quality service delivery is not just about meeting standards—it is about ensuring every interaction contributes positively to a participant’s wellbeing.

The website includes a range of practical tools and resources designed to support reflection and continuous improvement, including:

• Training and learning resources for workers
• Videos and practical examples
• Organisational tools and guides
• Resources to support conversations about harm and repair
• Practice resources for leaders and managers

The research highlights that preventing everyday harm requires more than policies and procedures. It involves creating a culture where people with disability are genuinely listened to, included in decisions and supported to raise concerns safely.

As expectations around safeguarding and participant experience continue to evolve, resources such as these provide valuable insights into how providers can strengthen both service quality and participant outcomes.

Key Takeaway: Small interactions matter.

To explore the resources, visit https://everydayharm.org.au/.