Event Overview
The operating environment for NDIS and SIL providers is changing rapidly — bringing greater expectations around financial sustainability, governance, workforce compliance, provider integrity, safeguarding and demonstrable quality of practice.
The 2026 Brisbane NDIS & SIL Providers Care Leaders’ Finance & Compliance Summit brings together provider leaders, finance and HR professionals, compliance specialists and sector experts for a practical day focused on the issues that directly affect the risk, sustainability and operation of NDIS and SIL organisations.
With the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 now passed, new SIL Practice Standards in effect, strengthened integrity expectations and increasing scrutiny across workforce, financial and provider governance, this summit is designed to help organisations understand what has changed, where their exposure may lie and what they should be preparing for next.
Importantly, the program connects finance, compliance, HR, governance and operations. Strong provider governance can no longer be managed in isolation: workforce decisions affect margins; financial controls affect audit readiness; frontline practices create compliance exposure; and regulatory reform influences future business planning.
What will be covered;
Delegates will hear practical insights across some of the most significant issues facing providers in 2026, including:
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NDIS reform and legislative change — what the new legislation changes, implementation timelines and what providers should be tracking now.
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The 4 new SIL Practice Standards — supported decision-making, safeguarding, practice governance, and tenancy, housing and support arrangements, with a focus on what providers need to demonstrate in practice.
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Financial sustainability and profitability — understanding labour costs, margins, cash flow, budgeting and the financial metrics that sit behind sustainable growth.
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Financial governance across SIL and NDIS operations — strengthening expenditure controls, audit trails, approvals and real-time financial oversight.
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Restrictive practices and provider liability — strengthening governance and reducing compliance, financial and reputational exposure.
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NDIS integrity, compliance and fraud risk management — internal controls, ethical billing, audit preparedness and defensible operational practices.
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Queensland Disability Worker Screening — employer obligations, ongoing monitoring and common areas of provider non-compliance.
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SCHADS Award and workforce compliance — payroll, classifications, allowances, broken shifts, sleepovers, overtime, rostering and workforce cost pressures.
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Diversifying into aged care and Support at Home — what NDIS providers need to understand before entering the aged care market.
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Buying or selling an NDIS business — valuation, profitability, liabilities, due diligence and regulatory considerations.
Who should attend?
This summit is designed for NDIS and SIL provider leaders and the professionals responsible for organisational governance, financial performance, workforce management and compliance, including:
CEOs, Managing Directors and Business Owners
• CFOs and Finance Managers
• SIL and NDIS Provider Executives
• Operations Managers
• HR and People & Culture Leaders
• Compliance and Quality Managers
• Governance and Risk Professionals
• Payroll and Workforce Managers • Service Delivery Leaders
• Responsible Persons and Key Personnel
• Accountants and Financial Advisers working with NDIS organisations
• Consultants and professional advisers supporting the disability sector
It will be particularly relevant for SIL providers preparing for the new registration and Practice Standards environment, and for organisations reviewing whether their current financial, workforce and compliance systems are sufficiently robust for the changing regulatory landscape.
Why attend?
The challenge for providers in 2026 is not simply knowing that regulation is changing. It is understanding how those changes translate into everyday organisational decisions.
This summit provides an opportunity to step away from day-to-day service delivery and examine the organisation from a leadership perspective:
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Are our finances sustainable?
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Are our workforce practices compliant?
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Can we demonstrate what our policies say is actually occurring in participants’ homes?
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Are our financial controls audit-ready?
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Where are our greatest governance and regulatory risks? And what should we be preparing for next?
Delegates will leave with greater clarity around the changing environment and practical considerations they can take back to their organisations — while also connecting with other NDIS and SIL leaders during dedicated networking following the summit.
For providers responsible for people, participants, finances and compliance, 2026 is a year to be informed, prepared and audit-ready.
Keynote Speakers
More Speakers are being added - please check back soon for updates
Danielle Lincoln
(pic coming soon)
Manager, Compliance and Community Engagement
Disability Worker Screening
Queensland Worker Screening Services,
Department of Justice
Danielle Lincoln is the Manager of the Compliance, Reporting and Community Engagement team and has over 20 years of experience across government, regulatory and public safety environments.
Her career includes service as a Police Officer, regulatory compliance and enforcement work with the Western Australian Department of Commerce, and a range of roles across Queensland Government agencies.
Throughout her career, Danielle has led and conducted investigations, compliance and enforcement activities, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
She has extensive experience working with government, industry and community stakeholders to achieve regulatory and public safety outcomes.
Danielle is committed to delivering practical, fair and community-focused outcomes that strengthen compliance and build confidence in regulatory systems.
David Moody
Management Governance Australia
David brings over 30 years of experience across the private, public, and not for profit sectors, with deep expertise in disability reform, housing, workforce, and system change.
David is an executive with the MGA Group—an alliance of purpose driven organisations comprising Management Governance Australia (MGA) Pty Ltd, Workforce Plus Inc (a registered NDIS provider), and the Australian Renewables Academy (ARA).
Together, the Group delivers integrated strategic advisory, workforce development, nationally accredited training, and employment solutions across Australia, with a strong focus on regional and remote communities.
This work is grounded in practical delivery realities, provider risk, and long term participant needs.
Previously, David was CEO and Victorian State Manager of National Disability Services. Prior to that, he led the central Victorian Government team that coordinated Victoria’s contribution to the design and implementation of the NDIS.
Earlier in his career, David worked as a lawyer and as a senior executive in the Victorian Public Service.
Dr Mark Hunn
CEO
NDIStress
Dr Mark Hunn is the CEO of NDIStress and a leading governance and compliance specialist within the Australian NDIS sector.
A practising solicitor with more than 25 years of experience across corporate, government, and not-for-profit environments, Mark specialises in regulatory compliance, risk management, and organisational governance.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Law, a Master of Laws, and a Doctorate in Corporate Leadership in the NDIS, focusing on governance capability and leadership within disability service organisations.
Through NDIStress, Mark works with Community Service providers across Australia to strengthen compliance systems, reduce regulatory risk, and build sustainable, participant-focused organisations.
His work focuses particularly on high-risk areas such as restrictive practices, governance failures, and emerging regulatory reforms.
Mark is a regular presenter and educator within the sector. Having been featured in Forbes Australia, CEO Weekly and Business Insider, he is known for translating complex regulatory requirements into practical strategies that help providers protect participants while operating strong, compliant businesses.
Christine Mudavanhu
CEO
UC Compliance
Christine Mudavanhu is the Founder and CEO of UC Compliance and a respected NDIS Auditor and compliance expert with more than five years' dedicated NDIS experience.
With over 20 years across the disability, community services, and public policy sectors, Christine has supported hundreds of providers to achieve registration, strengthen compliance, and improve service quality.
She developed a national NDIS training program for compliance professionals and auditors, is a qualified Lead Auditor, who holds a Masters in Public Policy and a Diploma in Lead Auditing for Quality Management Systems.
Christine is well known for her practical, ethical, and participant-centred approach when it comes to advice and compliance support for Providers, Christine regularly delivers training and presentations on NDIS compliance, governance, and quality improvement.
Andreia Lemos
Director, Global Expatriate & Employment Taxes
BDO
Andreia is a Director in BDO’s Global Expatriate & Employment Taxes team in Brisbane, specialising in payroll compliance and remediation.
She is recognised for her technical expertise, practical understanding of awards and enterprise agreements, and her ability to lead complex payroll matters with clarity and precision.
She works with organisations to identify and resolve payroll non-compliance, delivering large-scale remediation programs.
Her expertise includes interpreting industrial instruments, reconstructing employee entitlements, and implementing clear, structured communication strategies, while strengthening long-term payroll governance.
Andreia has led major payroll reviews for ASX-listed organisations and has experience navigating complex Fair Work obligations, including enforceable undertakings.
She brings over ten years of specialised experience in payroll compliance and remediation.
Sukhy Bansal
CEO
ERS Advisory
Sukhy Bansal, CA is a Chartered Accountant and Fractional CFO with over 20 years' experience helping businesses strengthen financial performance, improve cash flow and build sustainable growth. Through ERS Advisory, she works alongside business owners and leadership teams as their fractional CFO, providing strategic financial advice that goes beyond traditional accounting.
Sukhy has extensive experience working with NDIS and healthcare providers, helping organisations better understand their numbers, improve profitability, strengthen financial governance and make confident business decisions. She is passionate about translating complex financial information into practical insights that leaders can use to grow resilient, financially sustainable organisations.
A regular speaker at industry conferences and events, Sukhy delivers practical, engaging sessions that equip providers with the financial knowledge and tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.
Agenda
9.00am - 9.25am
Registration and arrival
9.30am - 9.40am
Welcome and introductions
9.45am - 10.15am
Why Revenue doesn't equal profit: The Financial Metrics every NDIS Provider should be tracking
Sukhy Bansal
ERS Advisory
Strong revenue does not always translate into a financially sustainable NDIS business.
With rising workforce costs, payroll obligations, pricing pressures and increasing regulatory expectations, providers need greater visibility over the financial drivers that impact profitability and long-term viability.
This practical session explores the key financial metrics every NDIS provider should be monitoring to make informed business decisions and maintain financial sustainability.
Delegates will gain a clearer understanding of labour costs, payroll compliance, gross margins, cash flow, budgeting and financial controls, and how these measures influence operational performance and profitability.
The session will also highlight common financial risks facing providers and provide practical strategies to strengthen financial governance, improve decision-making and build a resilient organisation in an increasingly challenging operating environment.
Key Topics
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Why revenue alone is not a measure of business success
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Understanding labour costs, payroll compliance and workforce profitability
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Gross margin, operating margin and key financial performance indicators
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Cash flow management and financial forecasting
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Budgeting, cost control and financial governance
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Financial risks, compliance obligations and maintaining a sustainable NDIS business
10.15am - 10.30am
From Receipts to Real-Time Control: Strengthening Financial Governance across SIL & NDIS Operations
Weel
Managing everyday expenditure across participants, SIL homes, support teams and head office can create significant administrative and financial governance challenges for NDIS providers.
Shared cards, petty cash, staff reimbursements, missing receipts and manual approval processes can make it difficult to maintain visibility over expenditure and create additional pressure at reconciliation and audit time.
This practical session explores how providers can move from fragmented, manual processes towards real-time spend visibility, stronger financial controls and more audit-ready operations. It will examine approaches to managing participant and SIL household expenditure, establishing appropriate spending limits and approvals, capturing receipts and transaction information at the point of purchase, and improving the flow of financial information into accounting systems.
With a particular focus on the operational realities of SIL and disability support, the session will demonstrate how better spend management can reduce administrative burden, strengthen accountability and give finance and operational teams greater oversight across participants, homes and multiple entities.
Key areas include: participant and SIL household expenditure; reducing reliance on shared cards and petty cash; real-time spend controls and approvals; receipt and expense capture; financial reconciliation; and strengthening audit trails and financial governance.
10.30am - 11.00am
Protect your Bottom Line: The Provider’s Role in Preventing Restrictive Practice Breaches
Mark Hunn
NDIStress
Understand how NDIS providers can reduce organisational risk, strengthen compliance, and avoid significant financial penalties associated with restrictive practice breaches — with fines potentially exceeding $300,000.
Restrictive practices are no longer viewed solely as a clinical, behaviour support or frontline service issue.
Under the evolving NDIS regulatory environment, providers are increasingly being held accountable for the governance, oversight, reporting and management of restrictive practices across their organisation.
With heightened scrutiny from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, stronger compliance expectations and the potential for significant civil penalties, providers must ensure they have robust systems, governance frameworks and workforce practices in place to identify, reduce and appropriately manage restrictive practices.
This session will explore the latest regulatory expectations, emerging compliance risks and the practical steps providers can take to protect participants while safeguarding their organisation from financial, operational and reputational harm.
Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where provider liability sits, what regulators are looking for, and how proactive governance can minimise risk and strengthen organisational resilience.
Key Discussion Areas
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Current NDIS regulatory expectations and enforcement trends
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Provider obligations and accountability for restrictive practices
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Governance, reporting and documentation requirements
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Identifying organisational risks and compliance gaps
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Civil penalties, regulatory action and reputational consequences
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Building a culture of least restrictive practice and participant safeguards
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Practical strategies to strengthen compliance, oversight and risk management
11.00am - 11.15am
Morning Tea
11.15am - 11.45am
The NDIS Bill Has Passed. Here's what changes, When — and What's still not answered.
David Moody | Management Governance Australia
Christine Mudavanhu | UC Compliance
David will provide a practical, no-fluff briefing on the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 — now law, with a 2-year implementation runway that has real gaps.
We will unpack
● What the Bill actually changes, and what it doesn't
● The key sequencing and timelines providers need to plan around
● What it means for providers, participants and families
● The 5 things worth tracking over the next 90 days
11.45am - 12.15pm
The 4 New SIL Practice Standards: What Brisbane NDIS Providers need to have Audit-Ready in 2026
Christine Mudavanhu
UC Compliance
From 1 July 2026, SIL providers face new mandatory registration requirements and supplementary SIL Practice Standards.
For providers, audit readiness now goes beyond having the right policies—it requires demonstrating that compliant, participant-centred practice is happening consistently in participants' homes.
This practical session explores the four new SIL Practice Standards:
Supported Decision-Making – demonstrating genuine participant choice, control and involvement in everyday decisions.
Safeguarding – identifying and managing risks while protecting participants' rights, dignity and independence.
Practice Governance – demonstrating competent workers, effective oversight and consistent quality across homes and shifts.
Tenancy, Housing and Support Arrangements – ensuring transparent arrangements and clear separation between housing and SIL supports.
Delegates will learn what these standards mean in everyday operations, the types of evidence that can demonstrate compliance, and how to identify gaps between organisational policies and frontline practice.
Key takeaway: In 2026, SIL audit readiness isn't simply about what's written in your policies—it's about whether you can demonstrate that those policies are working in practice.
12.15pm - 12.45pm
NDIS Integrity, Compliance & Fraud Risk Management
David Moody
Management Governance Australia
With the continued strengthening of NDIS integrity measures in 2026, providers are expected to demonstrate robust systems for financial accountability, ethical billing, and operational transparency.
This session provides an in-depth examination of compliance risk, fraud exposure, and governance obligations under the evolving integrity framework.
Attendees will gain practical guidance on implementing internal controls, preparing for audits and reviews, responding to regulator enquiries, and reducing the risk of funding recovery, sanctions, or reputational damage. The session focuses on prevention, preparedness, and defensible operational practices.
12.45pm - 1.15pm
Lunch
1.15pm - 1.45pm
Beyond the Clearance: Worker Screening as a Critical Governance and Compliance Control
Danielle Lincoln
Queensland Worker Screening Services
The Queensland Disability Worker Screening Scheme plays a vital role in protecting people with disability by ensuring that workers engaged in risk-assessed roles meet the required screening standards.
However, worker screening is more than obtaining a clearance- it is an ongoing governance and compliance responsibility for providers.
In this practical session, Danielle Lincoln, Manager, Compliance and Community Engagement, Queensland Worker Screening Services, will provide an overview of Queensland's Disability Worker Screening Scheme, including employer and provider obligations, identifying workers who require screening, monitoring clearances, and responding appropriately to changes in worker circumstances.
Drawing on current compliance activities and emerging trends, Danielle will share common issues observed across the sector, highlight areas where providers are most at risk of non-compliance, and outline practical strategies to strengthen internal systems and demonstrate good governance.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into regulator expectations and leave with actionable approaches to embedding worker screening as part of a robust organisational risk and compliance framework.
Key takeaways:
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Understanding Queensland Disability Worker Screening obligations.
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Identifying which workers require a clearance and when.
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Monitoring and managing clearances throughout the employment lifecycle.
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Common compliance issues and lessons from regulatory activities.
1.45pm - 2.15pm
SCHADS Award 2026: Workforce Compliance, Cost Pressures & Operational Risk for NDIS and Aged Care Providers
Andreia Lemos
BDO
Workforce compliance under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award remains one of the most complex and financially significant challenges facing NDIS providers in 2026.
With increased Fair Work scrutiny, evolving interpretations of the Award, and heightened enforcement activity, providers are experiencing growing exposure to payroll errors, misclassification, underpayment claims, and operational disruption.
This session delivers a detailed, practical examination of SCHADS as it applies in the current operating environment, with a strong focus on NDIS-funded services including SIL, in-home supports, and community-based programs. '
Attendees will gain clarity on award classifications, minimum pay rates, allowances, broken shifts, sleepovers, overtime, and rostering obligations, and how these interact with funding constraints and service delivery models.
For organisations operating across both NDIS and aged care services, this session will address the increasing complexity of managing a shared workforce across different industrial frameworks.
While aged care award reform continues to evolve, the session will clarify where SCHADS continues to apply, where crossover risks exist, and how providers can maintain consistent governance, compliance, and cost control across service streams.
Practical guidance will be provided on:
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Interpreting SCHADS classifications and allowances correctly in complex service environments
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Identifying and mitigating payroll and rostering risk before issues escalate
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Managing workforce costs while maintaining compliant service delivery
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Preparing for Fair Work audits, employee claims, and regulator scrutiny
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Aligning workforce strategy with funding sustainability and operational realities
This session is designed for CEOs, CFOs, HR leaders, compliance managers, and operational executives seeking to strengthen workforce governance, protect organisational viability, and ensure compliance in an increasingly regulated and scrutinised sector.
2.15pm - 2.30pm
Q & A
2.40pm - 2.40pm
Break
2.40pm - 3.00pm
NDIS Providers Transitioning into Aged Care: Registration & Support at Home Update
Justin Palermo
Health Care Providers Association
With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program, there are significant opportunities for NDIS providers looking to diversify into in-home aged care—but the regulatory, registration and operational requirements are different.
This session provides a practical update for NDIS providers considering the move into aged care.
It will unpack the aged care provider registration categories, Support at Home requirements, Category 4 and Care Management obligations, audit requirements, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, workforce and governance considerations, and the systems providers need to become operational.
The session will also explore the options of becoming a registered Support at Home provider or entering the market as an associated provider working with an established aged care organisation.
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what can be leveraged from their existing NDIS operations, what needs to change, and the key compliance and business considerations before entering the Support at Home market.
3.00pm - 3.30pm
Buying or Selling an Existing NDIS Business
Mark Hunn
NDIStress
Buying or selling an NDIS business involves much more than agreeing on a price.
With more providers entering and exiting the sector, buyers can underestimate risk while sellers may overestimate the true value of their business. Even relatively small mistakes can lead to legal exposure, financial loss and operational disruption.
This practical session will explore the key considerations when buying or selling an NDIS provider, including how to assess the true value and adjusted profitability of a business, rather than relying on revenue alone.
Attendees will also learn about major risk areas to investigate before a transaction, including existing liabilities, personal and business asset mixing, dependence on the current owner, non-compete arrangements, and NDIS Commission requirements.
The session is designed to help both buyers and sellers understand the questions they should be asking before committing to an NDIS business transaction - and avoid discovering costly issues after the deal is done.
3.30pm - 3.40pm
Q & A and panel
3.45pm - 5.00pm
Networking and depart
Disclaimer :
Please note that the below program serves as a guide.
SDA Conferences and Events, DISLINK Events and Conferences and all Partners will make every reasonable effort to adhere to the advertised schedule, speakers, and topics; however, we reserve the right to modify the program, substitute speakers, or adjust session content at any time without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
NDISLINK Events and Conferences accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or expenses incurred as a result of changes to the event format, program, speakers, or schedule.