If you’re an NDIS participant or family member in Melbourne, you know the National Disability Insurance Scheme is a vital part of life, but it also seems to change constantly! When you hear about a “reform” or “overhaul,” especially one that affects your home, it’s natural to feel worried.

We understand. That’s why Saha Supports has written this guide: to cut through the confusing legal talk and give you the simple facts about the biggest change coming to NDIS housing support in 2026, specifically for Supported Independent Living (SIL).

What We’re Talking About: Your Daily Support

First, let’s keep it simple. Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the funding in your NDIS plan that pays for the daily support workers who help you live in your home. This includes assistance with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, personal care, and developing life skills.

The good news is that the core goal of the NDIS is not changing: it’s still about helping you live as independently as possible. The upcoming changes primarily concern the calculation and approval process for daily support. If you rely on SIL now, preparing for these updates is the key to securing the funding you need in the future.

We’ll walk you through exactly what’s happening, what’s staying the same, and the three practical steps you can take today to get ready for your next plan review.

The Core Change: From Provider Quotes to Fair Budgets

For many years, the process for getting SIL funding was complex. Your support provider (or potential provider) had to create a huge document a Rostering, Hourly Breakdown, and Quote, which the NDIS would then approve or reject. This often led to long delays and frustration because the decision felt like a mystery.

The Old Way vs. The New Way

The biggest difference coming to SIL in 2026 is that the NDIS is taking over the main job of setting the budget:

• Old Way (Provider-Led): Your support provider calculated the exact hours they thought you needed, and the NDIS approved that specific quote.
• New Way (Assessment-Led): The NDIS will use a new assessment tool to figure out your support needs first, and then give you a total budget for your daily support. You and your chosen provider then work within that approved budget.

Meet the I-CAN Assessment Tool

The new approach is all built around a new tool called the I-CAN Assessment (Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs).

What is I-CAN? It’s a structured conversation with a trained NDIS assessor that looks at your life across 12 different areas (like mobility, communication, and mental health).

The I-CAN tool has two main goals:

1. Consistency: It aims to reduce the wide differences in funding that happen when different NDIS planners make decisions. Everyone with similar support needs should receive a similar budget.
2. Focus on Ability: It uses a strengths-based approach. This means instead of focusing on what you cannot do, it focuses on what you can achieve when you have the right support in place.

Simple Takeaway: Instead of your provider setting the price, the NDIS is setting the budget based on a more detailed, person-centred assessment. This creates a clear funding limit that providers must work within.

This is the third section of the blog post, focusing on the essential reassurance participants need about what elements of their support and living arrangements are not changing.

What is Staying the Same 

When big changes are announced, it is easy to assume everything is at risk. But the good news is that the core things that matter for your stability and quality of life are not changing.

Your Home is Safe

The NDIS changes to SIL funding are about the support staff, not the building you live in.

• Your Housing Stays: If you live in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), or if you rent privately or own your own home, the NDIS is not changing your accommodation. Your home is safe.
• SIL is Support, Not Rent: Remember, the SIL budget only pays for the people (your support workers). It has never paid for things like rent, utilities, food, or other normal household costs, and that will stay the same.

Your Goal is Still Independence

The purpose of the NDIS has not changed. It is still committed to helping you live a life of choice, control, and independence.

• Choice of Provider: You still have the power to choose which provider delivers your SIL support. If you are happy with Saha Supports, you can continue to choose us, and we will work with your new budget to deliver the best possible care.
• Skill Building Continues: The funding will still cover support that helps you meet your personal goals, like learning to cook a new meal, managing your money better, or finding a local hobby group.

Your Right to Advocate Remains

While the NDIS is using a new tool (I-CAN), your voice and the evidence from your trusted support team remain essential. The changes mean you need better preparation, not less involvement.

Simple Takeaway: The changes focus on how the funding calculation happens. They do not take away your home, your right to choose your provider, or the goal of improving your independence.

How to Prepare Now for Your Next Plan Review

The best way to feel confident about the 2026 changes is to prepare now. The new system relies heavily on clear, recent evidence and goals.

Step 1: Focus on Evidence

The NDIS needs proof of why you need the level of support you are requesting.

• Gather Recent Reports: Make sure you have reports from your Allied Health professionals (Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Psychologist, etc.) that are no older than 12 months. These reports should focus on your current functional capacity and clearly recommend the type and frequency of daily support you need.
• Keep a Daily Diary (Progress Notes): Start tracking your daily life now. Note down:
  • The Help You Need: When, how often, and why you need help with personal care, preparing food, or handling unexpected challenges.
  • The Outcomes: What happened when you didn’t have support? What positive things were you able to achieve with support? This shows the value of the funding.
• The Key Question: All evidence must answer: Why does your disability mean you need paid support, and why can’t family or other services provide it?

Step 2: Write Strong Goals

Your NDIS goals are the map for your plan. The new system checks if the supports you request (including SIL) directly help you achieve these goals. Make sure your goals are SMART:

SMART Element	What it Means (Simple)	Example of a Strong Goal
Specific	Clearly state what you want to achieve.	“I want to independently make my own breakfast and lunch.”
Measurable	Use numbers to track progress.	“I will prepare a simple meal three times per week.”
Achievable	The goal must be realistic for you right now.	“I will do this with prompting from my support worker.”
Relevant	Does it connect to your daily life and independence?	“This will help me feel more confident and reduce reliance on others.”
Time-bound	Give a clear end date or review period.	“I will aim to achieve this within the next 6 months.”

Step 3: Talk to Your Team

Don’t go through this alone. The right professionals are your best defense against having your funding reduced.

• Your Support Coordinator: They can help you organize all the reports, manage the deadlines, and ensure your goals are well-written.
• Your Allied Health Team: They can perform the necessary functional assessments and write the clinical recommendations the NDIS requires.
• Saha Supports (Your Provider): We can review your current supports and help you decide the most effective way to use your future NDIS budget to meet the required ratios and deliver the high-quality care you deserve.

Conclusion

The shift in NDIS rules, especially for Supported Independent Living, marks a move toward a more evidence-based system. While the process may change, our commitment to supporting you in your Melbourne home remains absolute. The groundwork you lay now by gathering evidence and setting SMART goals will directly lead to a more stable and effective NDIS plan under the new rules. 

Need help preparing your evidence for your next NDIS review? Unsure if your current SIL plan is ready for the 2026 changes?

Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact Saha Supports today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us put our local expertise to work, ensuring your transition to the new NDIS system is smooth and successful.