Agenda
SILSDA VIC - Day3
Thur 3rd July 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

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.

This session explores how SIL providers can capitalise on collaboration with government-funded initiatives to address the underutilisation of SDA homes. As demand for crisis and transitional housing grows, SIL providers have a unique opportunity to repurpose vacant SDA properties to meet a wider range of community needs, such as mental health recovery or temporary accommodation.

Panellists will discuss strategies for integrating SIL services with government-funded programs and building partnerships with domestic violence shelters, mental health organizations, and other housing providers. This collaboration can enhance the use of vacant SDA homes, ensuring sustainable housing solutions.

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Attendees will gain practical insights into navigating funding opportunities, meeting regulatory requirements, and leveraging partnerships to diversify their service offerings and better support vulnerable populations.

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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Break 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme  is entering a transformative phase in 2025, with major updates that promise to improve how participants access housing and in-home care. This session will unpack the key changes – from expanded SDA and SIL eligibility to increased in-home care funding, faster application processes, and new accessibility standards.

Participants will gain insights into how these reforms aim to reduce barriers, improve service quality, and deliver more personalised and independent living outcomes. Real-world examples will demonstrate how these updates are already making a tangible difference in people's lives.

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We’ll also explore the practical steps participants, families, and providers can take to navigate these changes effectively, including how to plan ahead and tap into new opportunities for support.

Whether you're a support coordinator, provider,  this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to embrace 2025's NDIS reforms and ensure the best outcomes for those you support.

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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

• 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.

Behaviour support and the management of unauthorised restrictive practices (URPs) are critical in delivering high-quality Supported Independent Living  and short-term/medium-term accommodation (STA/MTA) services.

This session explores the legal, ethical, and operational challenges surrounding behaviour support planning, ensuring compliance with NDIS regulations while prioritising participant rights, dignity, and independence.

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Attendees will gain insights into:

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• The role of behaviour support practitioners in SIL and transitional housing

• Strategies to minimise and eliminate restrictive practices in crisis and transitional settings

• Regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

• The impact of URPs on participant outcomes, service viability, and provider risk management

• Case studies on implementing proactive and person-centred behaviour support

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.

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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:

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• 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.

• Mandatory Registration & Workforce Shortages – The impact of new worker screening and registration requirements on SIL providers and how to prepare.

• 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.

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Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable solutions to navigate the evolving SIL landscape, ensuring their services remain compliant, sustainable, and high-quality.

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This session is essential for SIL, STA, and MTA providers looking to adapt, survive, and thrive amid changing regulatory and workforce dynamics.

Q & A 

Lunch  

Workforce shortages, high turnover, and burnout are among the biggest challenges facing providers in SIL, Short Term and Medium Term Accommodation, Crisis Housing, and Mental Health Accommodation. Building a sustainable, skilled, and engaged workforce is critical to ensuring high-quality support for participants while maintaining compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term viability.

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This session will explore strategies to strengthen workforce retention, enhance staff capability, and improve overall service delivery, including:

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• Understanding workforce challenges—staff shortages, burnout, and the impact on service quality

• Retention strategies—creating a positive workplace culture, leadership development, and career pathways

• Training and upskilling—meeting compliance requirements while investing in staff professional growth

• Balancing workforce sustainability with participant needs—ensuring consistency and quality care

• Innovative workforce models—leveraging technology, flexible rosters, and new approaches to recruitment

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Attendees will gain practical insights and proven strategies to attract, retain, and empower a dedicated workforce that supports participants’ needs while securing the future of SIL, short-term, medium-term, crisis, and mental health accommodation services.

This session will address the evolving safety regulations impacting workers across all social impact housing environments, including SIL, SDA, and other community-based housing initiatives.

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With a growing emphasis on psychosocial hazards and workplace violence, the session will explore how new safety laws are reshaping the landscape for workers providing care in these settings.

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As SIL and SDA providers diversify their services to include more complex housing solutions—such as mental health accommodation, 24/7 care, and crisis housing—this session will examine the impact of these regulations on both staff and residents.

Panellists will discuss the challenges of maintaining staff safety in environments where residents may experience heightened stress or behavioural challenges, and how providers can stay compliant with the new requirements.

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Key areas of focus will include implementing comprehensive risk assessments, strategies for preventing and responding to violent incidents, ensuring adequate staff training, and fostering a culture of safety.

The discussion will also cover how providers can successfully navigate compliance while diversifying their housing offerings to include a wider range of vulnerable populations.

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Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to safeguard their workforce, comply with new safety laws, and adapt to the growing need for specialized care in a variety of social impact housing settings.

This session will provide actionable insights for enhancing worker safety and ensuring a sustainable, compliant approach to delivering care in an increasingly complex housing landscape.

Tea break 

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.

As Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers expand their services to meet the growing needs of vulnerable populations, exploring funding opportunities for initiatives beyond traditional housing solutions has become crucial.

This session will focus on how SIL providers can access funding for a range of impact housing initiatives, including mental health accommodation, allied health assessments, crisis care for domestic violence, and other related support services.

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We will discuss key funding streams available to SIL providers, including government grants, social impact bonds, and partnerships with health and social service agencies.

Attendees will gain insights into how to navigate these funding opportunities, strategically align their services with broader community needs, and secure financial support for innovative housing models that address the complex needs of mental health patients, victims of domestic violence, and individuals requiring allied health assessments.

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The session will also cover:

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• Funding sources and mechanisms tailored for SIL providers expanding into impact housing sectors like mental health accommodation, crisis care, and allied health services.

• How to develop funding proposals that highlight the alignment between SIL services and the growing demand for integrated, person-centred care.

• Best practices for building partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and government bodies to maximize funding potential.

• Case studies of successful funding applications and initiatives that have improved housing and care outcomes for vulnerable populations.

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By the end of the session, SIL providers will be equipped with practical tools and knowledge to access critical funding for expanding into broader impact housing initiatives, ensuring that they can continue to support participants with a wide range of complex needs.

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This panel session will bring together hospital social workers and Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers to discuss best practices and solutions for ensuring safe and effective discharge pathways for patients requiring transitional housing.

The session will focus on the role of Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) in facilitating smooth transitions from hospital to community living, with a special focus on the needs of patients with disabilities, mental health conditions, and those experiencing complex discharge scenarios.

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Panellists will explore how collaboration between hospital social workers, healthcare professionals, and SIL providers can create comprehensive discharge plans that address housing, care, and support needs.

The discussion will also highlight the use of STA/MTA as a bridge for patients who require ongoing support but are not yet ready for long-term accommodation. Additionally, the session will address critical challenges in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) availability and the systemic barriers that delay hospital-to-SDA transitions.

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Key Topics Covered:

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• ​Challenges in Hospital Discharge and Housing Availability

• The Role of Hospital Social Workers

• Leveraging STA and MTA 

• Step-Down Housing as a Solution:

• Collaboration Between Healthcare and Housing Providers:

• Innovative Funding Models:

• Addressing Specialised Needs:

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Outcomes:

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• Attendees will gain insights into the role of hospital social workers in managing complex discharge processes.

• The session will provide strategies for integrating STA and MTA in hospital discharge pathways.

• Attendees will learn about the collaborative approaches between hospital social workers, SIL providers, and other stakeholders to enhance discharge outcomes for patients.

• Practical insights will be provided on funding options and how to make transitional housing more sustainable and effective.

• Delegates  will explore solutions for bridging the SDA housing gap, ensuring smoother hospital-to-SDA transitions and improved patient outcomes.

This session is essential for professionals seeking to improve hospital discharge outcomes, bridge gaps in the healthcare and housing systems, and provide better living conditions for patients requiring ongoing support

Final Q & A session 

Networking and close