Agenda
SILSDA VIC - Day3
Thur 3rd July 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

The release of the 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits has sent ripples through the disability housing and support ecosystem, with particular concern for the viability of Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation services.

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This focused panel will bring together SIL and SDA providers, sector economists, and participant advocates to unpack the direct impacts of the updated pricing framework.

From the 3.95% increase to disability support worker rates to reduced therapy pricing and the conclusion of transitional pricing for group programs, the changes are prompting providers to question the financial sustainability of their models—especially in regional and high-needs environments.

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With mandatory registration for SIL and Support Coordination services on the horizon and increased scrutiny on SIL budget growth, the stakes have never been higher.

This session will explore the practical, operational, and strategic implications for SIL and SDA providers navigating workforce challenges, NDIA audits, and tighter margins.

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Panellists will respond to the Independent Pricing Committee’s call for more nuanced, differentiated pricing and debate whether the current model can truly reflect the complexity of SIL and SDA service delivery. The conversation will also focus on protecting participant choice and continuity of care in the face of looming provider exits.

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Key Discussion Points:

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• What do the 2025–26 pricing changes mean specifically for SIL and SDA service delivery?

• How are regional and smaller providers adapting—or at risk of closing?

• Will NDIA reforms and mandatory registration improve or hinder service quality?

• How can providers balance cost containment with participant outcomes and workforce retention?

• What reforms are needed to ensure pricing supports viable, high-quality SIL and SDA models?

With SDA vacancy rates on the rise—particularly in High Physical Support homes—the sector is under increasing pressure from the NDIA, participants, and communities to deliver better tenancy outcomes.

At the same time, the NDIS Navigator role is being introduced in 2025, designed to streamline access to supports and replace existing roles like Support Coordinators and LACs in the coming years.

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This session will explore how SIL providers, Support Coordinators, and LACs can leverage the early rollout of the Navigator framework to improve housing matching, communication, and cross-provider planning.

We’ll unpack the root causes of persistent vacancies, including mismatches between home features and participant needs, and the challenges of participant compatibility.

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The presentation will highlight forward-thinking solutions such as collaborative intake planning, the development of internal “housemate-matching platforms,” and strategies to align SIL and SDA partnerships more closely.

Break 

Appendix H of the SDA Price Guide is a misunderstood but essential mechanism that allows NDIS participants with SDA funding to live with individuals who are not SDA-funded.

Often overlooked by providers and support coordinators, Appendix H does not require NDIA approval and is not a separate SDA category. Instead, it provides critical flexibility in housing arrangements, enabling more inclusive and person-centred living options.

This session will unpack the purpose, misconceptions, and practical application of Appendix H—and explore how greater awareness can help remove unnecessary barriers to housing.

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As SDA lending expands to support NDIS participants and families seeking to purchase Specialist Disability Accommodation, the success of these models increasingly depends on collaboration. In this session, a leading SDA lender will explain how working closely with SIL providers is essential to creating viable, support-ready housing solutions.

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SIL providers bring critical knowledge of participants’ day-to-day care needs, helping to shape housing designs that are both practical and sustainable. Their involvement reassures lenders and investors that the home will meet real-world support requirements, reducing long-term vacancy risks and strengthening the overall case for funding.

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This presentation will highlight how lenders, participants, families, and SIL providers can work together to deliver high-impact housing outcomes. It will also explore how early engagement with SILs can ensure smoother transitions, better long-term support delivery, and more successful participant-led SDA projects.

Without this collaboration, the risk of delays, unsuitable housing, or underutilised assets increases—impacting everyone involved in the SDA ecosystem.

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Ideal for SIL providers, support coordinators, and family investors, this session will offer insight into the critical role of provider partnerships in unlocking the next generation of SDA housing.

Panel Session and Q & A  

Lunch  

As SIL providers strive to maintain high-quality care for participants, navigating the evolving compliance landscape becomes an increasingly complex challenge.

Recent Federal Court rulings have reinforced the NDIA’s authority to impose payment holds, highlighting the need for strict adherence to the NDIS Act and accurate record-keeping. However, cases such as Affinity Care Services Pty Ltd v NDIA and Northern Disability Services Pty Ltd v NDIA also bring to light concerns about procedural fairness, delayed payments, and the financial pressures they impose on providers.

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With over 1,000 active payment holds disrupting vital services, providers face significant financial risks, which in turn affect their ability to deliver the best care for participants.

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This session will address:

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• How NDIA payment holds impact SIL business operations and financial sustainability.

• The challenges of balancing compliance with the financial realities of running a business while prioritising participant care.

• Practical strategies for minimizing payment holds and ensuring the financial health of your organisation.

• Approaches to challenging unreasonable NDIA decisions without compromising the quality of care provided to participants.

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This session will empower SIL providers to safeguard their cash flow and business sustainability while navigating the complex balance between regulatory compliance and the best interests of their participants.

For NDIS providers, payroll compliance can be daunting — and getting it wrong can be costly. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award governs thousands of support workers, but its detailed provisions often expose organisations to significant risk.
 
From 24-hour care to broken shifts, sleepovers, and minimum breaks, even small missteps can result in backpay claims and increased pressure on already stretched business models.
 
This practical session will explore:
• The top three SCHADS compliance blind spots for disability providers
• The potential impact of currently pending court decisions on overnight care
• What happens when providers fail to comply
• The role all staff can play in reducing payroll risk
 
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how Award compliance impacts viability, staffing, and reputation — and what proactive steps can safeguard all three.

With NDIS reforms enforcing mandatory registration for SIL providers and increasing compliance expectations for Specialist Disability Accommodation  providers, ensuring audit readiness and operational compliance is now a top priority.

Providers must meet NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission standards while balancing service quality, operational efficiency, and risk management.

This session will provide practical strategies, compliance insights, and internal audit techniques to help SIL and SDA providers proactively prepare for audits and strengthen their compliance frameworks.

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Key topics include:

• ​Conducting effective internal audits to identify gaps before external audits

• Audit readiness strategies—documentation, evidence collection, and risk mitigation

• ​Common compliance pitfalls and how to mitigate risks proactively

• Balancing regulatory requirements with operational excellence and quality service delivery

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This session is a must-attend for SIL and SDA providers seeking to take control of their compliance journey, streamline internal audit processes, and ensure audit success under the evolving NDIS regulatory framework.

10 minute break 

Since the pandemic, participant expectations and functional housing needs have significantly evolved. High Physical Support (HPS) dwellings now frequently include additional ensuites, private breakout areas, and second living spaces—not because they improve yield on paper, but because they drive occupancy and service stability in real terms.

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This session will explore how SDA success is no longer just about NDIS design compliance—it’s about designing homes that work for everyone involved. For SIL providers, the layout, location, and liveability of a property directly impact the quality of care they can provide.

For architects and developers, that means going beyond participant-centric design and embedding service-aware and operationally aligned thinking from the outset. Which is why SIL input is crucial. 

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Together, we’ll unpack:

•    How changing SDA design trends are improving tenancy success—but only when aligned with SIL delivery models
•    The operational reality of SIL teams: why poorly considered layouts, inadequate OOA space, and inefficient workflows lead to staff fatigue and participant disruption
•    Practical design inclusions that support service delivery—such as smart separation of personal and shared zones, visibility lines, and spaces for staff downtime and admin
•    The importance of relationship-based design: how architects and developers can co-design with SIL providers to ensure homes are fit for long-term use
•    Planning with scale in mind: how the density and location of SDA developments can affect rostering, staff deployment, and the feasibility of supporting multiple homes

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This is a call to reframe SDA design as a shared responsibility—where functional, well-thought-out spaces empower care teams, promote resident stability, and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders. 
 

As the sector prepares for the upcoming mandatory registration of Supported Independent Living  providers, this session will unpack its impact on SDA participant care, workforce stability, and business viability.

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This presentation will explore how these new compliance requirements aim to enhance quality and safety while also presenting significant operational and financial challenges for providers.

SIL providers are already grappling with workforce shortages, complex staffing ratios, and rising costs—now, balancing regulatory compliance with business sustainability is more critical than ever.

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Key Topics Covered:

•    Staffing Ratios & Compliance Challenges – Understanding NDIS workforce requirements, managing complex participant needs, and mitigating penalties.
•    Balancing Quality Care & Business Viability – Strategies to meet compliance without compromising financial sustainability.
•    Workforce Retention & Training – Practical strategies to reduce turnover, prevent burnout, and build a skilled, resilient workforce.
•    Financial & Operational Pressures – Managing rising staffing costs, participant expectations, and long-term sustainability.
 

Panel session  

Networking and Close