Applied for SIL Registration? What the NDIS Practice Standards Expect While You're Assessed
If you lodged a valid SIL registration application by 1 October 2026, you can keep supporting your participants while the NDIS Commission assesses it. That's the good news.
The application was the first step, not the last. From here you'll receive a scope of audit, engage an Approved Quality Auditor, and complete a certification audit that includes the new SIL Practice Standards.
And if you were already registered under 0115, the SIL Practice Standards apply to you now — you'll be assessed against them at your next audit.
Either way, the question is the same: can you show, every day, that you meet the standards?
Two sets of standards, not one
It's easy to focus on the new SIL module. But the Commission is clear that every registered SIL provider must:
- comply with the core module of the NDIS Practice Standards
- comply with the supplementary module for SIL
- have certification audits, and meet all other conditions of registration
Source: NDIS Commission — Mandatory registration: SIL
The SIL module covers supported decision-making, safeguarding, practice governance, and agreements about tenancy, housing and support arrangements. The core module covers how you run your organisation — and that's where the day-to-day records live.
What the core module expects, day to day
The core module on provider governance and operational management sets outcomes for how a provider runs. Here are the ones that create the most everyday work.
| Standard | What the Commission expects | What that looks like in a SIL home |
|---|---|---|
| Incident management | Incidents are acknowledged, responded to, well-managed and learned from | Every incident recorded, investigated, and followed by an action — not just a note in a shift book |
| Risk management | Risks to participants, workers and the provider are identified and managed | Known risks for each home and participant, with someone responsible and a date to review |
| Feedback and complaints | Participants know about and can access your complaints system, and complaints are welcomed and well-managed | An easy way for participants and families to raise concerns, and a record of what you did about it |
| Human resource management | Workers are competent, qualified and experienced for their role, with records of pre-employment checks and qualifications | Every worker on a SIL shift has current, approved checks |
| Information management | Participant information is accurately recorded, current and confidential | One reliable record, with access limited to the right people |
| Quality management | A quality management system that's proportionate to your size and promotes continuous improvement | Evidence that problems lead to changes |
Why this is hard in SIL
SIL runs around the clock. That means many workers across shifts, often in several homes, and a lot of things happening that need recording.
When incidents live in a shift book, risks in a spreadsheet, complaints in an inbox and worker checks in a folder, each one on its own is manageable. Together, they're a lot of chasing. Things slip — a check expires, an incident never gets its investigation, a complaint never gets a reply.
None of that means the care is poor. It means the system around the care is too spread out.
A simple weekly routine
You don't need a big project. You need a habit. Once a week, check:
- Open incidents — has each one been investigated, and is there an action?
- Risks due for review — who's responsible, and has it been done?
- Complaints and feedback — has everyone had a response?
- Worker checks — any expired, expiring, missing or not yet approved?
If that takes minutes, you're in good shape. If it takes an afternoon of searching, that's the gap to close first.
How Comm.care's Quality Management System helps
Comm.care's Quality Management System (QMS) puts incidents, risks, complaints and staff checks in one place. Less paperwork, less chasing.
- Incident management — record incidents with fields for whether they're reportable to the NDIS Commission, who they were referred to, the investigation, and the improvement that followed
- Risk management — each risk gets a priority from its likelihood and consequence, a person responsible, a due date and a mitigation plan
- Feedback and complaints — a QR code links to your feedback page, so participants and families can raise concerns, anonymously if they prefer
- Worker screening checks — expiry reminders for staff, manager approval, and filters for checks that are expiring, failing, missing proof or not yet approved
- Dashboards — see incidents, risks and feedback by status and category at a glance
It won't write your policies, and it doesn't lodge anything with the NDIS Commission. It gives you one place to see what needs doing — and to show what you've done.
FAQs
Do SIL providers only need to meet the new SIL Practice Standards?
No. Registered SIL providers must comply with the core module of the NDIS Practice Standards as well as the supplementary module for SIL.
Can I keep delivering SIL while my application is assessed?
Yes, if you're an existing SIL provider and submitted a valid application by 1 October 2026. If your application isn't approved, you can't continue delivering SIL.
I was already registered under 0115. When will I be assessed against the SIL Practice Standards?
At your next audit — mid-term or registration renewal. The standards apply to you now.
Does the Quality Management System report incidents to the NDIS Commission for me?
No. You still notify the Commission through its portal. The QMS helps you record each incident, track whether it's reportable, and follow it through to investigation and improvement.
This article is general information, not legal or compliance advice. Always confirm your obligations with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.