SILSDA Queensland Maximising SIL Impact Conference Agenda  

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

This session will provide a comprehensive update on upcoming regulatory reforms for Supported Independent Living (SIL), including the introduction of new SIL Practice Standards and the move toward mandatory SIL registration.

The presentation will delve into the co-design process with people with disability and examine how key recommendations from the NDIS Review and the Disability Royal Commission are being actioned.

Topics will include expected changes around quality, safety, privacy, and audit requirements.

Importantly, the session will offer practical guidance for both registered and unregistered providers on how to prepare for these reforms while strengthening safeguards and improving service quality for participants.

The success of the NDIS model depends on collaborative, participant-centred approaches — and at the heart of every successful collaboration between Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation providers is clear, respectful, and consistent communication.

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This session explores how effective language, aligned values, and proactive communication strategies can bridge gaps between providers, eliminate misunderstandings, and create a unified experience for participants. When SIL and SDA teams share goals and communicate openly, they can reduce  service duplication, enhance continuity of support, and build homes where participants feel safe, respected, and empowered.

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We’ll discuss how early engagement, shared documentation, and clear roles and responsibilities are essential in building sustainable working relationships that lead to stronger participant outcomes and long-term business success.

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Key Themes:

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• ​The role of language in setting expectations and maintaining respectful partnerships

• Communication strategies that support proactive problem-solving and accountability

• Creating shared goals and consistent messaging across teams

• Participant-led approaches to ensure choice, control, and satisfaction

• Building trust and transparency through regular reviews and shared documentation

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Break 

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?

This session provides an essential overview of current and upcoming legislative responsibilities for NDIS directors and key personnel. With new statutory duties and enhanced penalties introduced under NDIS Bill No. 2, this workshop ensures attendees stay informed and prepared to meet these strengthened regulatory obligations.

Key Takeaways:
•    Key Roles Demystified: Understand the responsibilities of NDIS directors and key personnel 
•    Compliance Essentials: Explore statutory and common law obligations, including those governed by ASIC and Work Health and Safety standards.
•    Case Studies: Review real-world examples of NDIS breaches and their consequences to glean practical lessons.
•    Regulatory Preparedness: Stay ahead of legislative changes to safeguard your organisation and participants.

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.

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.

Networking and 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.

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:

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• Conducting effective internal audits to identify gaps before external audits

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

• Aligning SDA and SIL policies, procedures, and governance with NDIS Practice Standards

• 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.

As climate-driven disasters increase in frequency and intensity across Queensland, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people with disability has become a critical public health and policy imperative.

This session will explore how inclusive, person-centered emergency planning can reduce risk, enhance autonomy, and improve outcomes for individuals with disability - particularly those in regional and remote areas.

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Drawing from the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) framework this presentation will highlight practical tools, planning strategies, and partnership approaches that embed the voice, needs, and leadership of people with disability into disaster preparedness and response.

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Participants will learn how disability service providers, local governments, emergency services, and community networks can collaborate to ensure no one is left behind before, during, or after a crisis.

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Key Takeaways:

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• Understand the core principles and steps of the P-CEP framework co-designed with people with disability

• Identify common barriers and enablers to inclusive emergency preparedness in Queensland

• Explore real-world examples of disability-led disaster planning from across the state

• Build stronger networks between disability and emergency management sectors​

This presentation from CSBS explores how a human-first, person-led approach to support can create life-changing outcomes — especially when combined with data-informed advocacy.

We’ll walk through the transition from hospital to home, showcasing how our integrated model supports people with complex needs through in-house clinical services, behavioural supports, and staff training.
 
Key to this is our use of data: how we capture it, how we build real-time dashboards, and how we use it to advocate for improved NDIS funding outcomes.

Through a series of powerful case studies, we’ll demonstrate how CSBS turns daily support data into evidence that drives decisions — and helps participants get the supports they need.
 
At the heart of it is the CSBS Human Club philosophy: seeing beyond labels, treating people as people, and building supports around the life they want to lead. 

This session will provide a step-by-step approach to ensuring smooth and successful transitions for individuals moving from hospital settings into Specialist Disability Accommodation  or Supported Independent Living . The focus will be on overcoming common challenges and avoiding pitfalls that can hinder the transition process.

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Hospital discharges, particularly for individuals with complex needs, can be fraught with difficulties. Delays in NDIS plan approvals, accommodation shortages, and inadequate support services often contribute to extended stays in healthcare settings. This session will address how to streamline these transitions, ensuring that participants are supported in moving from hospital to suitable SDA or SIL accommodations, while maximizing their independence and quality of life.

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This session will equip healthcare professionals, SDA/SIL providers, and support coordinators with the tools and strategies necessary to facilitate a seamless transition from hospital to home, helping participants achieve successful, long-term outcomes.

Panel Q & A  and audience engagement 

Close and networking