Disability Housing in 2026: Your Complete Guide to SIL, SDA, and the New Mandatory Registration Rules

# Disability Housing in 2026: Your Complete Guide to SIL, SDA, and the New Mandatory Registration Rules **Published by Happiness Crew Disability Support Service Perth** Where you live, and the support you receive at home, shapes every aspect of your daily life. The NDIS provides funding for disability housing through two key streams: **Supported Independent Living (SIL)** and **Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)**. In 2026, significant changes are coming to the disability housing sector. Most importantly, **from 1 July 2026, all providers of Supported Independent Living must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission**. --- ## What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)? **Supported Independent Living** is the NDIS funding for the support services you receive to help you live independently. SIL is about the people who support you — not the house itself. SIL funding pays for support workers who assist you with daily living tasks such as: - Personal care, including showering, dressing, and grooming - Meal preparation and cooking - Household tasks such as cleaning and laundry - Managing medication - Developing daily living skills and building independence - Overnight and 24-hour support where required SIL is typically provided in shared living arrangements where two to seven participants live together, though it can also be provided in individual settings. --- ## What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)? **Specialist Disability Accommodation** is the NDIS funding for the physical dwelling — the house or apartment — rather than the support services within it. SDA is available to participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who require a purpose-built or significantly modified home. | SDA Design Category | Key Features | |---|---| | **Improved Liveability** | Enhanced physical access, better lighting, reduced cognitive demands | | **Fully Accessible** | Wheelchair access throughout, ceiling hoists, accessible bathrooms | | **High Physical Support** | Assistive technology integration, structural provisions for complex equipment | | **Robust** | Reinforced construction to reduce injury risk, minimise sensory triggers | --- ## The Major Change: Mandatory SIL Registration from 1 July 2026 From 1 July 2026, any provider delivering SIL to NDIS participants must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Registered NDIS providers have been assessed against the **NDIS Practice Standards** — a comprehensive set of quality and safety requirements covering person-centred support, governance, safeguarding, and complaints management. For participants currently receiving SIL from an unregistered provider, your provider will need to become registered before 1 July 2026 to continue providing services. If they do not, you will need to transition to a registered provider. The mandatory registration requirement also extends to **NDIS platform providers** — online platforms that connect participants with support workers. --- ## Finding the Right Housing and Support in Perth **Clarify your housing goals.** Think about what you want from your living situation. Do you want to live with others or on your own? What level of support do you need? **Talk to your support coordinator.** A good support coordinator will have detailed knowledge of the SIL and SDA market in Perth, including current vacancies and reputable providers. **Visit potential homes and meet providers.** Before committing to any SIL arrangement, visit the home, meet the support team, and speak with other residents if possible. **Check registration status.** Always verify that any SIL or SDA provider you are considering is registered with the NDIS Commission, particularly from 1 July 2026. **Know your rights.** You have the right to leave a SIL arrangement that is not meeting your needs. --- At Happiness Crew, we are committed to helping participants in Perth find housing and support solutions that truly meet their needs. The changes coming in 2026 represent a significant step forward in the quality and accountability of disability housing. *This article is intended for informational purposes only. Information is current as at March 2026.*