SILSDA Queensland Maximising SIL Impact Conference Agenda  

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

This session will provide an update on the development of the new SIL Practice Standards—designed to ensure SIL supports are respectful, participant-centred, and delivered by a well-trained, rights-focused workforce.

The presentation will explore the co-design process with people with disability, how recommendations from the NDIS Review and Disability Royal Commission are being implemented, and what providers can expect moving forward in areas such as quality, safety, privacy, and audit reform.

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.

Morning tea 

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?

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.

SIL providers face increasing challenges in managing worker ratios while delivering high-quality care.

Striking the right balance between compliance, participant needs, and financial sustainability is becoming a pressing concern, especially as providers struggle to keep their businesses viable in an evolving regulatory landscape.

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This session will explore:

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• Staffing Ratios & Compliance challenges: Understanding NDIS requirements, managing complex participant needs, and avoiding penalties.

• Mandatory Registration & Workforce Shortages: What the new worker screening and registration requirements mean for SIL providers and how to prepare.

• Managing Workforce Retention & Training: Strategies to reduce turnover, prevent burnout, and build a skilled workforce.

• Financial & Operational Struggles: Addressing the rising costs of staffing, meeting participant expectations, and keeping your business afloat.​

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Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on navigating workforce pressures while maintaining service quality and financial sustainability.

This session will provide SIL, STA, and MTA providers with practical solutions to adapt, survive, and thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.

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 the NDIS continues to expand, the safety of workers within Supported Independent Living  and Specialist Disability Accommodation  settings has become a top priority.

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This session will focus on the challenges and strategies for enhancing worker safety while reducing incidents of violence in these environments. By exploring the unique needs of people with disabilities in SIL and SDA settings, the discussion will cover practical measures to protect staff, promote a culture of safety, and address challenging behaviours in a way that minimizes risk.

Attendees will gain insights into best practices for training, incident management, and creating safe spaces for both participants and workers, all while aligning with NDIS priorities for 2025.​

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 and insights from the Get Ready Queensland program, 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

• Gain practical tools and strategies to apply within housing, support, healthcare, and local council settings

• 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