New NDIS funding rules, mandatory SIL registration and updated service agreements are changing things for participants and families. Getting through these changes doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch.
If you receive NDIS support, you’ve probably heard about the changes introduced in October 2026, and you may have questions. Will my funding be reduced? Is my Supported Independent Living (SIL) provider registered? What happens if I need to change providers? Will I have to move out of my home? How do I keep my essential supports going without a break?
These questions matter most for people who rely on daily assistance, SIL accommodation, nursing care or regular community support. At Bright Journey Care Solutions, we know that changes to your care can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re reviewing your NDIS plan, looking at other providers or thinking about a different living arrangement, our team can help you understand your options and plan what comes next.
What’s changing with the NDIS in October 2026?
New NDIS legislation has brought several changes into effect. Three are especially important for participants and families.
1. Changes to some NDIS support budgets
From 1 October 2026, funding changes began affecting two support categories:
- Social, Economic and Community Participation: affected budget allocations are being reduced by 50%.
- Improved Daily Living Skills: affected budget allocations are being reduced by 10%.
This doesn’t mean everyone’s funding changed on 1 October. The changes are being phased in as new plans are approved or existing plans are reassessed, and they will also apply to plans renewed from February 2027. In most cases you can keep using your current plan and supports until your plan changes.
Many essential supports are excluded from the reductions, including help with eating, dressing, toileting, cleaning, nursing care, medication and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). How you’re affected will depend on your plan, your funding arrangements and your circumstances.
What you can do: review your current plan, check which funding categories might be affected, and talk to your Support Coordinator or NDIA contact before making any big changes to your supports. Our list of useful NDIS phone numbers and disability support contacts can help you reach the right people.
2. Mandatory registration for SIL providers
One of the biggest changes in 2026 affects Supported Independent Living. Mandatory registration for SIL providers began on 1 July 2026. Unregistered providers already delivering SIL before that date had to lodge a valid registration application by 1 October 2026 to keep providing SIL while their application is assessed.
If your SIL provider hasn’t registered or lodged an eligible application, you may need to find a different provider. Changing your SIL provider doesn’t automatically mean leaving your home, though. Housing and SIL support are often separate arrangements, and whether you can stay put depends on your tenancy or accommodation agreement, the provider arrangements and your circumstances. Before deciding anything, make sure you understand both your housing rights and your support options.
For a closer look, read Is Your SIL Provider Registered? 5 Important Questions to Ask After 1 October 2026. You can check any provider’s status on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website, including Bright Journey’s registration.
3. Clearer NDIS service agreements
On 13 October 2026, the NDIA released new resources to help participants and providers put together clearer service agreements, including templates, checklists, guidance and Easy Read materials. A good service agreement should spell out:
- what services will be provided
- how and when supports will be delivered
- what the services cost
- what happens if your needs change
- how services can be changed or ended
- your rights and responsibilities
Service agreements are mandatory for SDA and strongly encouraged for other supports, especially SIL. If you’re thinking about changing providers, start by reviewing your current agreement. Our FAQ answers some common questions about how we work.
Thinking about changing NDIS providers? You have options
People review their support arrangements for all sorts of reasons. Your current provider may not be meeting your needs, communication may have broken down, your circumstances may have changed, or you may simply want more independence. You might also be unsure whether your SIL provider meets the new registration rules.
Whatever the reason, you have the right to understand your choices and be part of every decision about your support. Changing providers should be about finding the right fit for your needs, goals and preferences, and with careful planning a move can be managed with as little disruption as possible.
How Bright Journey can help with your NDIS transition
We believe a good transition starts with listening. We take the time to understand what matters to you, what’s working now and what you’d like to change. You can read more about us and how we work, or see what person-centred support looks like in practice in Mick’s story.
Step 1: Understanding your current supports
Before anything changes, we’ll talk through your current services, support preferences and individual requirements. That may include looking at the help you receive now, spotting any gaps and discussing which of our services might suit you. Where it’s appropriate, we’ll work alongside your Support Coordinator, family members or other representatives. Support Coordinators can also refer directly through our For Referrers page.
Step 2: Exploring suitable support options
Everyone’s needs are different. Some people want more flexible help at home, while others need SIL, community participation, nursing or psychosocial support. We’ll talk about which Bright Journey services fit your goals, funding and circumstances. Our supports include:
- Supported Independent Living (SIL): help with everyday activities in a supported living arrangement.
- Daily Living Support: personal care, household routines, meal preparation and independent living skills.
- Community Participation: support to get involved in activities, social opportunities and community services.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Disability Support: practical help with daily routines, confidence and community connections.
- Nursing Care: individualised nursing and higher-intensity support, subject to clinical assessment.
- Respite Care: short-term support for participants and families, subject to suitability and availability.
Step 3: Planning a safe, organised transition
Moving to a new provider involves more than picking a start date, and continuity of care is especially important for people with ongoing or complex needs. With your consent and involvement, transition planning can include:
- confirming your preferred support arrangements
- coordinating start dates
- talking through your routines and how you like to communicate
- arranging handovers and relevant care information
- identifying medication or clinical support needs
- introducing support workers where appropriate
- working with your Support Coordinator and current providers
- checking for any gaps in essential services
The idea is to have a clear plan in place before your new supports begin. You should never feel pushed into a rushed decision about your care.
Step 4: Helping you settle in
A transition doesn’t finish on day one. Routines and relationships take time to build, and it takes a while to know whether the arrangements are working. We encourage open communication and feedback so any concerns can be raised early and your supports adjusted where needed. We want you to feel heard, respected and comfortable with the support you receive.
Do you have to move house when changing SIL providers?
This is one of the most common worries for participants and families, and the short answer is: not necessarily. SIL funding generally covers the support you receive with everyday living, not the cost of the accommodation itself, so in some cases you can change SIL provider and stay in the same home. Whether that’s possible depends on:
- who owns or manages the property
- your tenancy or occupancy agreement
- whether your accommodation and support arrangements are linked
- existing provider agreements
- whether another provider is available
- your individual care and support needs
Before agreeing to a move or a provider change, read through your housing documents and get independent advice if you need it. We can talk with you about suitable accommodation and housing options, show you our current accommodation vacancies, and work with everyone involved to explore a transition that works for you.
NDIS support across Frankston, Seaford and Melbourne’s South East
A provider who knows your local area can make everyday supports easier to access. Bright Journey supports participants across Melbourne’s South East, including:
- Frankston: daily living assistance, community participation and personalised disability support.
- Seaford: in-home help, community access and everyday support.
- Carrum Downs: personal care, independent living assistance and help with daily routines.
- Cranbourne: community participation and individualised disability support.
- Sandhurst: enquiries about Supported Independent Living and accommodation opportunities.
- Mornington Peninsula: personalised support and community access across the surrounding areas.
We can also discuss supported accommodation in other parts of Melbourne, depending on availability and suitability. Whether you’re looking for an NDIS provider in Frankston, SIL accommodation in Melbourne’s South East or disability support in Carrum Downs, our team is happy to talk through your needs. Our guide to finding NDIS support in Melbourne’s South East has more on choosing a local provider.
Five questions to ask before changing NDIS providers
If you’re considering a change, these questions can help you make an informed decision:
- Does the new provider offer the supports I need? Ask about the specific services available and whether they can meet your requirements.
- How will my supports continue during the changeover? Talk about start dates, handovers and arrangements for essential care.
- Will I have a say in who supports me? Your preferences, communication needs and routines should be part of the conversation.
- What happens if my needs change? Ask how the provider reviews support arrangements and responds when things change.
- Do I understand the service agreement? Take your time with the services, costs, cancellation terms and notice periods before you sign.
A good provider will answer these questions clearly and without pressure.
You don’t have to deal with the NDIS changes alone
The 2026 reforms will affect people in different ways. For some, the first priority is understanding changes to their budgets. For others, it’s checking their SIL provider’s registration, reviewing service agreements or looking at a new provider. Whatever your situation, the most important thing is to stay informed and make decisions that reflect your needs.
At Bright Journey Care Solutions, we’re committed to person-centred disability support that respects your choices and helps you build greater independence. If you’re planning a transition, looking into SIL accommodation or after personalised NDIS support in Melbourne’s South East, we’d be glad to talk about how we can help.
Ready to explore your NDIS support options?
Worried about the NDIS changes, thinking about switching providers or looking for the right disability support? Give us a call for a no-pressure chat about your needs, the services available and possible next steps.
Contact Bright Journey Care Solutions
Phone: 1300 659 621 Email: [email protected] Website: brightjourneycaresolutions.com.au Or send us a message through our contact page.
Your Journey. Your Goals. Your Future.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about NDIS changes as at October 2026. Individual funding, eligibility, provider registration and housing arrangements may vary. Contact the NDIA, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or an appropriate independent adviser for guidance about your circumstances.
Looking for NDIS support in Frankston, Carrum Downs, Seaford or Melbourne’s South East? Let’s talk about what matters to you. Support Coordinators and other referrers can visit our For Referrers page.
- Phone: 1300 659 621
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: com.au
Bright Journey Care Solutions Your Journey. Your Goals. Your Future.