The SILosophy’s Podcast

Respite Reform and Unbundling NDIS Pricing with Luke Wilson
Recent updates to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements have brought major structural changes to Short Term Accommodation (STA) and respite, including an average funding reduction of $500 to $600 per participant per day and the strict unbundling of accommodation from support hours. What do these changes mean for high-quality, community-based respite providers, and how can organisations adapt while maintaining therapeutic value?
In this episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez sits down with Luke Wilson, Managing Director of Paylos. Operating out of rural Victoria, Paylos delivers unique, non-traditional respite experiences focused on outdoor engagement, fishing, and four-wheel driving for participants who often avoid mainstream disability services.
Luke unpacks the operational realities of unbundling, the public perception driving regulatory crackdowns, and why intentional, early-intervention respite ultimately saves taxpayers money across health, child protection, and justice systems.
Key Content Covered In This Episode:
De-constructing Unbundling: The shift from 24-hour block-funded day rates to itemised support hours, travel, and accommodation costs.
Why the Price Guide Changed: How public scrutiny over high-cost holidays and non-compliant providers led to strict transparency requirements.
The Food Funding Dilemma: The operational challenges of managing out-of-pocket meal costs for participants from low socio-economic or child protection backgrounds.
Building Sustainable Service Models: How investing in reusable, low-cost equipment (fishing gear, camping equipment, vehicles) helps providers absorb pricing shocks.
Capacity Building and Scheme Exit: Transitioning participants from 1:1 ratios to group settings, fostering independence, and supporting vocational outcomes.
The True Cost of Kicking the Can Down the Road: Why cutting community access and respite budgets risks shifting financial costs onto emergency services, mental health systems, and corrections.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to SILosophy and Introducing Luke Wilson (Paylos)
01:10 – The Paylos Model: De-stigmatising Services Through Outdoor Engagement
03:15 – What Does "Unbundling" Mean in NDIS Respite?
05:40 – Public Perception, Misused Funds, and the Push for Transparency
09:00 – Delivering High-Impact Respite on Low-Cost Infrastructure
12:20 – The Impact of Meal Funding Rules on Communal Living
16:40 – Respite as Early Intervention: Preventing Placement Breakdown and Systemic Failure
21:00 – Balancing Budgetary Boundaries with Sector Needs
24:30 – Designing Services for Participant Independence and Scheme Exit
28:15 – Why Community Access and Respite Are Essential to Sector Reform
31:00 – Wrap Up and How to Connect with Luke Wilson
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Connect with Luke Wilson and Paylos: paylos.org
#NDIS #RespiteCare #ShortTermAccommodation #SILosophy #NDISReform #NDISCompliance #DisabilitySupport #Paylos #ProfitableNDISProvider

Leading the Frontline: Training, Competencies, and NDIS Quality Standards with Dave Wells
As the NDIS rolls out updated Quality and Safeguards standards, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers are facing stricter requirements around worker training, competency testing, active support, and tailored supervision. How do frontline leaders manage this extra administrative workload while securing genuine buy-in from support staff?
In this practical episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez is joined by Dave Wells, General Manager at Coastwide Community Care and co-author of Future-Proofing Your SIL Business. Drawing from eight years of hands-on experience—starting as a support worker and progressing into executive management—Dave shares a refreshingly direct, operator's perspective on why the new standards are a necessary win for participant safety and quality care.
Dave and Tania break down how to move away from rigid, "aged-care style" routines in SIL environments, how to handle worker compliance with non-negotiable boundaries, and why adult learning principles are key to reducing staff turnover and eliminating "aha" moments on shift.

De-Risking Disability Housing: SIL Demand, SDA Mismatches, and Data Insights with Hong Knowling
When investing in or scaling disability housing, how do providers and developers ensure they are building or leasing in areas of genuine demand—rather than falling into oversupplied traps?
In this eye-opening episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez is joined by Hong Knowling, founder and director of PPC Urban (Planning Property Consultants). Hong specializes in social infrastructure, town planning, and data analytics, helping investors, developers, and service providers navigate the complex planning permissions, zoning laws, and demand data across Australia.
Hong and Tania break down the common pitfalls in Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) acquisitions—from $3M property mistakes and biodiversity zoning traps to interpreting NDIS data sets. They also discuss why national data often hides local demand mismatches, the rise of clustered housing models, and how to properly de-risk disability housing investments under NDIS reform.
Key Content Covered In This Episode:
The Hidden Risks in Property Acquisition: Real-world examples of costly town planning, zoning, and environmental study traps (including $80k cultural heritage reports and biodiversity restrictions).
De-coding NDIS Data: Understanding the 3-to-4-week lag in NDIA data, why headline numbers miss hidden demand, and how to interpret pipeline figures accurately.
The SDA Supply-Demand Mismatch: Why regional areas with cheap land suffer from oversupply while high-demand metropolitan areas remain underserved.
SIL vs. SDA Market Dynamics: Addressing the 7,000+ SIL providers operating in Australia, the shift toward mandatory registration, and why residential head-leases require proper due diligence.
Clustered Housing Models: How the sector is shifting toward smaller, clustered homes to optimize SIL staffing efficiency without compromising participant independence.
Comparing Disability Housing to Childcare Assets: Capital requirements, pre-leasing structures, planning approvals, and risk profiles across government-regulated sectors.
Practical Steps to De-Risk Investments: Why independent feasibility studies, local participant clustering, and correct insurance policies are essential for long-term sustainability.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to SILosophy & Introducing Hong Knowling (PPC Urban)
01:30 – What PPC Urban Does: Mapping Gaps & De-Risking Investments
03:00 – Millions Lost: Common Town Planning & Zoning Disasters
06:20 – Is NDIS Data Outdated? Understanding Delays, Limitations, and Certification Triggers
09:15 – Misinterpreting Pipeline Numbers: Legacy Homes vs. Modern SDA
12:00 – Are There Too Many SIL Providers? Unpacking the 7,000 Provider Landscape
15:10 – The Shift Toward Clustered Housing and Operational Efficiency
18:30 – Robust Housing Mismatches: The Danger of Poor Advice
22:00 – Participant Onboarding & Avoiding Single-Tenancy Losses
24:45 – Comparing SDA/SIL to Childcare Assets & Town Planning Pathways
29:10 – Why SIL Housing Needs Better Environmental & Safety Benchmarks
32:00 – Co-Living Insurance Pitfalls for SIL Head-Leases
34:30 – Wrap Up & How to Access PPC Urban's Free Data Platform

Moving Into NDIS 2.0: The Future of Disability Housing with Joseph Conellen
As the NDIS undergoes massive structural shifts, the disability housing landscape is entering a brand-new era. What does the transition from the "golden age" of open-ended funding to strict budgetary controls mean for providers, participants, and community-based housing models?
In this insightful episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez is joined by Joseph Conellen, a disability housing expert with over 30 years of experience as a CEO, advocacy leader, government advisor, and community housing advocate. Having witnessed the tail-end of deinstitutionalization, Joseph offers a rare, long-term historical lens on the current reform environment, comparing today's sector disruption to major government interventions of past decades.
Together, Tania and Joseph unpack the economic realities of the scheme, the future of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL), the potential risks of high-density housing models, and how providers can survive the upcoming regulatory "winter."
Key Content Covered In This Episode:
The Transition to NDIS 2.0: Why the scheme is shifting away from an unsustainable demand-driven model toward defined government budget controls.
Market Realities & Monopsonies: How single-purchaser schemes create economic pressure on small and medium providers, and why gap-funding isn't a silver bullet.
The Future of SDA & Basic Stock: Unpacking upcoming industry shocks, including grandfathered assessments, capacity reductions, and potential state government divestments.
The Danger of Modern "Institutions": Examining high-density housing developments, 15-apartment single-site models, and why concentration without community integration poses long-term risks.
Reforming SIL & Mandatory Registration: Why SIL housing has historically been under-regulated from a physical housing standpoint and what upcoming compliance checks will look like.
The Commissioning Model: How government-managed commissioning could shape the top players in the disability housing space over the next 3 to 10 years.
Navigating the "Seasons" of Reform: Strategic advice for boards, executives, and business owners on reducing overheads, surviving consolidation, and preparing for the next growth cycle.

SILosophy Episode 25: The SIL Reform from an SDA Perspective
This episode explores the intersection between Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers and the evolving Supported Independent Living (SIL) landscape under Australia's NDIS. Host Tania Gomez is joined by guest Angad Singh (a leader in the SDA and disability housing sector) to discuss how structural reforms are reshaping housing and support delivery for participants.
SDA vs. SIL Separation: Why regulatory shifts are enforcing a clearer boundary between physical housing (SDA) and day-to-day supports (SIL), and what that means for operational strategy.
The Developer & Provider Lens: How SDA providers and investors are adjusting their building design and service models to remain aligned with changing SIL funding guidelines.
Participant Choice and Control: Ensuring that the decoupling of housing and support gives participants true independence without creating operational friction or communication breakdowns.
Future-Proofing Disability Housing: Practical steps for providers to stay compliant, navigate NDIS pricing changes, and build sustainable models that prioritize long-term participant outcomes.
Whether you operate in the SDA development space or manage SIL operations, this conversation offers critical insights into navigating structural reform while building high-quality, person-centered environments.

In SILosophy Episode 24, host Tania Gomez brings on Paul Bryan to unpack what it takes to guide teams through industry regulation, operational changes, and workplace shifts... specifically focusing on how leaders in the NDIS and SIL space can communicate transparently, manage burnout, and maintain quality care during periods of high transition.

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania Gomez sits down with Ollie Vles, founder and CEO of Strength in Care, to discuss the complexities of managing challenging behaviours in SIL homes. Ollie shares his unique approach to participant support, staffing strategies, property management, and the importance of creating the right environment for success.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome back to SILosophy with Ollie Vles from Strength in Care
02:20 – Common challenges in managing complex behaviours in SIL homes
05:10 – Why the physical environment is a critical factor in reducing incidents
07:45 – Proactive measures to minimise behaviours (reducing anxiety, structuring environments)
10:20 – The importance of long-term, well-supported staff in behaviour management
13:00 – Recruiting & retaining staff for high-needs participants
16:30 – Best practices for communication between staff & participants
19:50 – Managing property damage & dealing with housing limitations
22:15 – Tips for handling reportable incidents & restrictive practices
24:00 – Final thoughts on supporting participants with complex needs
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/
 
#silosophy, #taniagomezconsulting, #complexparticipants, #ndis, #supportwork, #disabilitysupport, #ndissupport, #inclusivepractice, #ndisprovider, #silproviders, #supportcoordination, #disabilitycare, #ndiscommunity, #participantcare

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania Gomez speaks with Bruce Bromley, a leading expert in SDA design and fire safety, to explore the critical importance of fire safety in SIL homes. They discuss common risks, essential fire safety measures, and how SIL providers can proactively improve emergency planning to protect participants and reduce liability.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome back to SILosophy with Bruce Bromley from SDA Consulting
02:05 – The biggest fire safety risks in SIL homes
04:30 – Why most SIL homes don’t meet fire safety regulations
07:15 – The importance of fire sprinklers & why they should be standard
09:40 – Fire safety investments: Costs vs. long-term liability
12:20 – How to create an effective emergency plan for a SIL home
14:45 – What to include in a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
17:00 – Why building relationships with local fire departments is a game-changer
18:50 – The role of fire blankets, smoke alarms & evacuation kits in SIL homes
20:00 – Final thoughts on reducing risk & improving fire safety
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/
 
#firesafety, #sil, #safetyintegritylevel, #taniagomezconsulting, #processsafety, #silcertification, #firesafetytraining, #industrialfiresafety, #firesafetytips, #functionalSafety, #firesafetystandards, #firesafetyawareness, #firesafetymanagement, #firesafetyengineering, #firesafetyepisode22

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania Gomez sits down with Storm Menzies, an expert in NDIS funding and SIL participant support, to discuss how SIL providers can proactively ensure participants receive the right funding for their needs. Storm shares insider tips, advocacy strategies, and practical steps for navigating the funding review process.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome back to SILosophy with Storm Menzies
02:10 – Storm’s background in SIL, support coordination, and allied health
05:20 – The #1 mistake SIL providers make in securing participant funding
07:30 – Why evidence is everything – What NDIS needs to approve funding
10:15 – The importance of proactive documentation & early planning for reviews
13:00 – How to advocate for funding increases – strategies that work
16:45 – Going beyond emails – Why in-person advocacy & local MPs can make a difference
19:20 – How to prepare for NDIS plan reviews & what’s changed in 2024
21:10 – Final tips: Organisation & collaboration are key to funding success
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/
 
#silhosophy #episode21 #taniagomez #taniagomezconsulting #ndisfunding #ndissupport #ndisprovider #participantfunding #ndishelp #fundingforparticipants #ndisepisode #ndisadvice #ndisconsulting #ndissupportcoordination #ndisfundinghelp

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania Gomez welcomes Josh Byron, Co-Founder of Spendable, to discuss the complexities of managing client funds in SIL homes. With his background as a SIL provider, Josh shares key insights on financial transparency, risk management, and the role of assistive technology in empowering participants.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome back to SILosophy with Josh Byron from Spendable
02:30 – Josh’s journey from running a SIL service provider to founding Spendable
04:50 – Why managing client funds in SIL is an unspoken burden on providers
08:20 – Major financial risks for SIL providers & the impact of missing funds
12:10 – The dangers of using cash & manual record-keeping – high risk of errors & compliance issues
15:45 – How lack of transparency can lead to financial mismanagement & potential fraud
18:30 – Why business expense tools don’t work for client funds & create accounting complications
21:15 – How Spendable helps providers and participants by offering secure, transparent money management
24:30 – How financial independence improves participant choice & control
28:00 – The future of SIL financial management – technology, automation, and capacity-building
30:20 – Final thoughts: Why every SIL provider needs a secure, compliant money management system
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/
 
#silosophy, #episode20, #spendable, #taniagomezconsulting, #managingmoney, #propertymanagement, #supportedindependentliving, #silfunding, #ndisprovider, #ndissupport, #ndisproperty, #ndisfinance, #silhousing, #moneytips, #disabilitysupport