More Choice in Shared Accommodation: NDIS Changes Explained
What the June 2026 shared accommodation changes may mean for participant choice, support arrangements, families and support coordinators.
Link Support Services
7/23/20262 min read
From 1 July 2026, the NDIA is expanding where Programs of Support can be used in shared accommodation. The change is designed to make it easier for participants to access daily personal activities support delivered in a shared accommodation setting.
The important word is choice. A Program of Support is optional, and participants should understand what is being agreed, how long it lasts and how they can leave or change the arrangement.
What is a Program of Support?
The NDIA describes a Program of Support as an optional agreement between a participant and a provider for certain group-based supports. It can run for up to six months and sets out the activities to be delivered, the outcomes being worked towards and the level of support needed.
Programs of Support were already available for Supported Independent Living (SIL), social, economic and community participation supports, including employment supports, and capacity-building categories. From 1 July 2026, they may also be used for daily personal activities support delivered in shared accommodation.
Participants keep the right to leave
According to the NDIA, participants can leave a Program of Support at any time without cost by giving up to two weeks' notice. A new agreement can be created whenever both the participant and provider agree.
That means the written agreement should support informed choice, not create pressure. Participants can ask for information in a format they understand and take time to involve a nominee, family member, advocate, support coordinator or other trusted person.
Questions worth asking before agreeing
- What activities and support hours are included?
- Which outcomes are we working toward?
- How is individual choice protected in a shared setting?
- What happens if routines or support needs change?
- How do I raise a concern or end the agreement?
- How will the provider communicate with my support coordinator or plan manager?
Shared accommodation should still feel like a home. Participants should be involved in decisions about routines, privacy, visitors, community activities and how their supports are delivered.
What families and coordinators can do
Families and support coordinators can help by checking that the participant understands the agreement and that the proposed activities connect to their goals. They can also watch for unclear terms, repeated charges or arrangements that appear driven by provider convenience rather than participant choice.
Official information and support
Read the full NDIA update: https://ndis.gov.au/news/11594-more-flexibility-participants-shared-accommodation
For advice about a specific plan or agreement, speak with the participant's planner, LAC, support coordinator, plan manager or independent advocate.
Link Support Services offers Supported Independent Living, daily living assistance and community participation support. Learn more at https://www.linksupportservices.com.au/sil-provider-melbourne, https://www.linksupportservices.com.au/daily-living-support-melbourne and https://www.linksupportservices.com.au/community-participation-ndis-support. To discuss a participant's goals and service fit, contact https://www.linksupportservices.com.au/contact-ndis-disability-support.
This article is general information current at publication and is not legal, financial or plan-management advice. Check the current NDIA guidance before acting.
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