There’s been a lot of conversation recently about upcoming NDIS registration changes and what they could mean for people who receive in-home supports.
If you self-manage your supports, or you directly employ your own Support Workers, you may have been feeling unsure about what’s ahead.
The good news is that recent clarification shared by The Growing Space suggests many people who manage their own support arrangements may not be affected by the Supported Independent Living (SIL) registration changes expected to begin in July.
And for many people, that’s a huge relief.
So, what’s changing?
According to a video shared by The Growing Space following discussions with the NDIS Commission, registration requirements are expected to apply in situations where:
- A high level of daily support is being delivered
- Supports are managed and delivered by a provider organisation
- A provider is delivering restrictive practices
Importantly, this does not appear to apply to most people who directly engage and manage their own Support Workers.
That means if you as a participant or carer:
- Employ your own Support Workers directly
- Engage sole traders with an ABN
…you will likely continue to have the flexibility and control you currently enjoy.
Why this matters
For many people, employing their own Support Workers isn’t just about administration or funding arrangements.
It’s about:
- Choosing people who genuinely understand you
- Feeling comfortable in your own home
- Having consistency in your supports
- Enabling direct communication
- Building trusted relationships
Many people choose this approach because they want support that feels personal, flexible, and centred around their goals and routines — not someone else’s roster.
As The Growing Space explained, the key difference appears to be who is managing the supports.
If you are directing and managing your own team, rather than having a disability provider manage everything for you, these upcoming SIL registration requirements may not apply to your arrangement.
And while this clarification is reassuring for many people, it’s important to remember the final rules have not yet been officially published.
How can I find the Growing Space’s video?
Hi everyone, this is a quick one okay. I’ve just got the word from the NDIS Commission, and I’m allowed to share this, that this is around registration of SIL providers, so all of you who are self-managing and/or plan managed, but you are using unregistered providers for in-home supports, and you’ve got a sort of a team around your person or around you, here’s who will need to be registered under the new SIL requirements, right, registration requirements that start in July this year. Registration by providers will be required where the supports are high — so a high level of support, so daily significant hours — shared or not shared, it’s not about whether you’re in a group home or not, and — this is the important part — and the support is managed and delivered by a provider. Now, that means it does not apply to most participants and nominees who self-employ and/or engage sole contractors to deliver those supports. If you engage a contractor that’s a business that has other workers and they are managing the supports and services, then yes, that provider is going to be required to be registered. If, however, you engage them directly, whether you self-employ them or whether you contract them as a solo provider with an ABN, those ones if you are managing them as a nominee or as a participant yourself, then you will not be required to register as a SIL provider, and they will not be required to register as a SIL provider. There will always of course be some outlier situations where this is not correct, but for the vast majority of participants in this situation, you’re going to be ok.
Always remember though, any provider delivering restrictive practices will always still be required to be registered.
I’ve explained this now, but don’t forget, very soon there will be the new rules around provider registration and SIL. We expect them to be released, within the next well, I’m going to say imminent. We’ll see how that goes, but I’ve got the understanding now. You will be able to read this stuff on the NDIS website as soon as it’s published, as soon as the rules are published. They are not published yet. They will be soon.
Take care, everybody. This is a small glimmer of good news, but the part that we don’t know about yet of course is Minister Butlers new announcements. And of course the new announcements says that if you’re doing personal care in home sort of supports that you’re going to be required to be registered. But this is not what’s coming in July this year, and that next process that Minister Butler talked about has got a long way to go before we know that that’s legal and that that’s going to be required. No need, just try not to get too distressed yet, certainly take action, do what you can, sign those petitions, do those things. Alright, take care everybody, thank you.
Support that gives you choice, control and peace of mind
Many people choose to employ their own Support Workers because they want supports that feel more personal, flexible and consistent.
It can mean choosing someone you genuinely connect with — someone who understands your routines, communication style, goals and preferences.
For many people, that level of choice and control can make a real difference to everyday life.
But managing your own support arrangements can also come with responsibilities and risks that people don’t always expect.
That’s where Living My Way can help.
Our Employ Your Own Support Worker service allows you to maintain choice and control over who supports you, while also giving you practical support behind the scenes.
You continue choosing the people who work with you, while we help reduce some of the stress and risk that can come with managing employment arrangements on your own.
Our service can support you with:
- Payroll processing including superannuation
- Recruitment and onboarding support
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- Navigating difficult workplace situations or HR concerns
- Guidance around employer responsibilities
For many people, it offers the best of both worlds — the flexibility of employing your own Support Workers, with the reassurance of having an experienced team there to support you when needed.
What should people do next?
Right now, there’s no need to panic.
The official SIL registration rules are expected to be released soon, and there may still be further clarification once they are published.
In the meantime, it could help to:
- Stay informed about upcoming NDIS changes
- Understand your Support Worker options
For many people, directly employing their own Support Workers continues to offer a more personalised and empowering way to receive support.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
NDIS changes can feel overwhelming, especially when information is still evolving.
But understanding your options — and having the right support around you — can make a big difference.
If you’d like to explore whether employing your own Support Workers could work for you, the team at Living My Way is here to help.
Learn more about our Employ Your Own Support Worker service and how we support people to live life, their way.
Special thanks to The Growing Space for the original video that informed this blog.