Your Rights as a Tenant in Supported Living
Your NDIS supported living rights explained: your home and your support are separate, you can change providers, and where to get help if something's wrong.
The one thing to understand first: your home and your support are separate
What 'supported living' actually means
Your rights as a tenant in the home itself
Your rights over your support (and the right to change provider)
The two agreements you should have — and what each one covers
Your rights under the NDIS Code of Conduct
Restrictive practices: your right to be free from unnecessary restraint
If something's wrong: complaints, safeguarding and where to call
How the 2026-27 reforms affect supported living
Practical steps to protect your rights
Frequently asked questions
Can I be evicted from my SDA or SIL home if I stop using that provider's supports?
Not automatically, because your home and your support are separate arrangements. Your right to stay comes from your housing or tenancy agreement, and it can only be ended through the proper legal process with proper notice. If the same company is both your landlord and your support provider, get advice from a tenancy advocate or the NDIS Commission before making changes, because the two agreements may be linked in ways worth checking.
How do I change my SIL provider without moving house?
You can change support providers while staying in the same home, but it takes planning, especially in a shared house where housemates share supports. Start by talking to your support coordinator, review the notice period in your current service agreement, and line up a new provider before you end the old arrangement. Comparing a few providers first — including on Novida — helps you move smoothly rather than being left without support.
What should I do if a support worker treats me badly or I feel unsafe at home?
If you're in immediate danger, call 000. Otherwise, you can report concerns about any NDIS worker or provider to the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544, and you have the right to keep receiving support while your complaint is looked into. A free disability advocate can help you speak up, and if you're struggling to cope, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.
Will the NDIS reforms cut the daily support I get in supported living?
The government has said the participation reset from 1 October 2026 targets social, community and civic activity budgets — not critical daily-living and personal-care supports, which are what supported living mainly relies on. How it affects you depends on how your current plan is used, so no one can promise your exact outcome. Confirm what applies to your plan with the NDIA or your support coordinator, particularly around plan reassessment or renewal dates.
Do I really need two separate agreements?
Yes, ideally. One agreement covers your housing (a tenancy or SDA residency agreement under state law), and the other covers your NDIS supports (a service agreement under NDIS rules). Keeping them separate protects you if you ever want to change your support without leaving your home. If you only have one document, ask your provider for the other in writing.