SIL 0138 Registration Checklist 2026

1. Confirm which path applies to you

The two paths have different urgency and different evidence expectations. Getting this wrong is the single most costly mistake in SIL registration planning.

• Existing unregistered provider already delivering SIL supports

  You are currently delivering shared or group living supports to participants without registration under 0138. Transition arrangements apply to you, including an application deadline of 1 October 2026 for providers covered by those arrangements. You should confirm your eligibility for transition with the Commission — the arrangements do not cover every provider or every support type.

• New provider starting SIL supports (from 1 July 2026)

  Transition arrangements are not relevant to providers that were not already delivering SIL. From 1 July 2026 a new provider is expected to hold registration covering 0138 before delivering supported independent living supports, so plan for the full application, certification audit and decision timeline before accepting participants. The Commission's published scope and audit process is authoritative — confirm the current position before committing to dates.

• Existing registered provider adding SIL to your scope

  You apply to vary your registration to add 0138. This triggers a change of scope and an audit against the additional standards; timing is usually aligned with your existing audit cycle where possible.

• Record your path, your target application date and your evidence deadline

  Work backwards from the date you must be registered, allowing time for auditor availability and Commission assessment.

2. The 0138 class of support and what it covers

• Confirm the supports you deliver sit within 0138

  0138 covers assistance with daily life tasks delivered in a group or shared living arrangement, including group homes — typically 24/7 or rostered support in a shared residence.

• Separate SIL from adjacent supports you also deliver

  Short Term Accommodation, Medium Term Accommodation, Specialist Disability Accommodation and individual in-home supports are different registration groups with their own requirements.

• Check whether high intensity supports are involved

  If your workers deliver high intensity daily personal activities (for example complex bowel care, enteral feeding, tracheostomy or ventilator support), the High Intensity Daily Personal Activities module also applies.

• Check whether restrictive practices are used in any house

  If regulated restrictive practices are used, the Implementing Behaviour Support Plans module applies and state or territory authorisation processes must be followed.

3. Core and SIL Practice Standards considerations

Certification against SIL is assessed on the Core Module plus additional standards specific to shared living. Auditors weigh participant experience heavily.

• Core Module: rights and responsibilities, governance and operational management, provision of supports, environment of supports

  Every outcome in the Core Module applies to SIL providers.

• Shared living considerations: participant compatibility, house rules, privacy in shared spaces

  Show how you assess compatibility before a vacancy is filled and how you manage conflict between housemates.

• Rostering and continuity of support, including overnight and active/inactive night arrangements

  Rosters of care must match participant plans and the funded support ratio.

• Skill development and independence, not just task completion

  Evidence that supports build capacity rather than doing everything for the participant.

• Medication management, mealtime management and health supports where applicable

  Documented protocols, worker competency and incident pathways.

• Safe environment: property maintenance, emergency and evacuation planning, infection control

  House-level records, not just organisation-level policy.

• Separation of housing and support roles where you also have a housing interest

  Conflict of interest must be identified, disclosed and managed, and participants must be free to change support provider.

4. Preparation checklist

• Legal entity, ABN and insurances current and matching the applicant name

  Public liability, professional indemnity and workers compensation as applicable.

• Key personnel identified, declarations completed, screening arranged

  The Commission assesses the suitability of the provider and its key personnel.

• SIL-specific policy suite tailored to your houses

  Compatibility assessment, rostering, house rules, vacancy management, transition in and out, restrictive practice, medication, mealtime, emergency planning.

• Complete the self-assessment against every applicable outcome

  Record the evidence you will show for each and an action plan for gaps.

• Worker screening clearances current for all risk-assessed roles

  SIL roles are almost always risk-assessed roles.

• Training matrix covering the supports actually delivered in each house

  Manual handling, medication, mealtime management, epilepsy, positive behaviour support, infection control as relevant.

• Rosters of care and service agreements in place for each participant

  They must reconcile with the participant's plan and the funded ratio.

• Incident, complaints, risk and continuous improvement registers operating

  For SIL, auditors expect live registers with real entries and closure records.

5. Certification audit and evidence

SIL registration requires a certification audit conducted by an approved quality auditor that you engage and pay directly.

• Request quotes from at least two approved quality auditors

  SIL fees scale with the number of houses, participants, workers and states you operate in.

• Stage 1 desktop review: policies, self-assessment, registers, worker records

  Fix anything the auditor flags before Stage 2 is scheduled.

• Stage 2 on-site or remote assessment, including house visits

  Expect the auditor to visit at least a sample of houses and observe the environment of supports.

• Participant and family interviews arranged with recorded consent

  Participation is voluntary; consent must be informed and documented.

• Worker interviews across shifts, including night staff where relevant

  Workers should know the incident, complaints and restrictive practice pathways.

• House-level evidence available at each site

  Rosters, participant support plans, medication charts, communication books, maintenance and evacuation records.

• Close out non-conformities with evidence within the auditor's timeframes

  Then the auditor lodges the report with the Commission for the decision.

6. Transition arrangements — existing unregistered SIL providers only

This section applies only if you are already delivering SIL supports without registration and you are covered by the Commission's transition arrangements. If you are a new entrant, skip it.

• Confirm in writing that the transition arrangements apply to you

  Check the Commission's SIL mandatory registration guidance and contact the Commission if your circumstances are unclear.

• Lodge your application by the 1 October 2026 transition application deadline

  The deadline applies to applications from existing unregistered providers covered by the arrangements. Lodging late removes the benefit of the arrangements.

• Do not wait for the deadline to engage an auditor

  Auditor availability tightens as deadlines approach; the audit follows the application, so late applications compound.

• Keep participants informed about your registration status and timeline

  Participants and plan nominees may need to plan for continuity of supports.

• Record your compliance actions during the transition period

  Evidence that you were operating to the Practice Standards while transitioning supports your suitability assessment.

7. After the decision

• Check the certificate lists 0138 and any other groups you applied for

  Only registered groups may be delivered to NDIA-managed participants.

• Diarise the mid-term audit and renewal dates

  Certification registration includes a mid-term audit.

• Maintain house-level compliance records continuously

  Retrospective file-building before the next audit is visible and poorly received.

• Notify the Commission of changes in scale, scope, key personnel or houses

  Adding houses or participants can change your risk profile.