What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)? An NDIS guide

Supported Independent Living, usually shortened to SIL, is one of the more misunderstood parts of the NDIS, largely because of a false assumption in the name: that it pays for somewhere to live. It does not. SIL funds the support, the paid staff who help with everyday tasks, not the house, the rent, or the bills.

This guide explains what Supported Independent Living actually is, what it does and does not cover, how it differs from Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and other options, who it suits, and how it ends up in a plan.

The short version: SIL is funding for the day-to-day help a person with disability needs to live in their own or a shared home, often with support available up to 24 hours a day. It pays for support workers, not accommodation, and it is most commonly delivered in shared homes where a small group of people live together and share rostered staff.

What Supported Independent Living actually is

SIL is NDIS funding for the assistance a participant needs to live as independently as possible at home. In practice that means paid support workers helping with, and building skills for, everyday tasks: cooking and meal preparation, cleaning and laundry, personal care such as showering and dressing, taking medication, managing appointments, and staying safe at home. It is generally for people who need a high level of support, often including overnight or around-the-clock assistance.

The key word the NDIS uses is "support", not "accommodation". SIL pays for the people doing the helping. Where you live, and how you cover the rent and bills, is a separate question with separate answers, covered below.

What SIL does and does not cover

SIL covers the support workers and the daily assistance and supervision described above, delivered on a roster that matches your assessed need.

SIL does not cover rent or a mortgage, utilities such as power, water and internet, food and groceries, or general living costs. Those you pay yourself, from your income, the Disability Support Pension, or other sources, the same way anyone pays for their own housing and food. SIL also does not pay for the building itself; purpose-built specialist housing is funded separately through SDA for the small group of people who are eligible.

How SIL is usually delivered: shared and individual homes

Most SIL is delivered in a shared home, where two to about five people with similar support needs live together and share rostered support workers. Sharing staff is often what makes a high level of support workable within a plan, because one worker can assist several residents at once.

SIL can also be delivered where a person lives alone, though that funding has to be justified by need and is assessed accordingly. You should not be placed with people you did not choose without a say; who you live with matters, and it is reasonable to be involved in decisions about housemates and the home.

SIL, SDA and ILO: how the pieces fit

These acronyms get tangled, so here is the plain version:

• SIL (Supported Independent Living) is the support (the people). It sits in your Core supports budget.
• SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) is the housing (the bricks and mortar), purpose-built or modified for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Only a small proportion of participants are eligible. Some people have both: SDA pays for the specialist home, SIL pays for the support inside it.
• ILO (Individualised Living Options) is an alternative to SIL for people who want a more tailored, often less staff-intensive arrangement, for example living with a host or a housemate with some support, rather than a traditional shared SIL home.

If your needs are lower, everyday assistance-with-daily-life supports may suit better than a full SIL roster. You can browse NDIS providers and services or talk to your planner about which model fits.

Who SIL is for

SIL is aimed at participants with significant, ongoing daily support needs, the kind that mean living entirely unsupported is not safe or realistic. It is not the default for everyone who wants some help at home; someone who needs a few hours of assistance a week is usually better served by regular daily-living supports, not a full SIL roster.

Because SIL is a higher-cost support, the NDIA looks at it closely. That is not a reason to avoid it if you genuinely need it, but it does mean the request has to be well evidenced.

How SIL gets into a plan

SIL is a "reasonable and necessary" support like any other, so it has to be justified by your disability-related needs and goals. The process usually involves:

• an assessment of how much support you need across a typical week, often written up as a roster of care;
• evidence from allied health and other treating professionals about your functional needs;
• a provider quote based on that roster and the home you will live in, shared or individual;
• the NDIA agreeing the funding in your plan.

A support coordinator is often involved, because setting up SIL, finding a suitable home and housemates, and coordinating providers is genuinely complex. If you are new to all this, our guides on how the NDIS works and choosing an NDIS provider are good places to start.

Frequently asked questions

Does SIL pay my rent?

No. SIL pays for support workers and the help they provide, not rent, utilities, food or other living costs. Housing itself is separate; specialist housing may be funded through SDA if you are eligible, but ordinary rent and bills you pay yourself.

What is the difference between SIL and SDA?

SIL funds the support, the people who help you day to day. SDA funds the housing, a specialist-built or modified home, for people with very high needs or extreme functional impairment. They are separate supports; some people have both, many have only SIL.

Do I have to live with other people to get SIL?

Not necessarily, but SIL is most commonly delivered in shared homes because sharing rostered staff makes a high level of support workable within a plan. SIL where you live alone is possible where the need justifies it, and you should have a say in who you live with.

How do I get SIL added to my plan?

It is assessed as a reasonable and necessary support, based on evidence of your daily support needs, often set out as a roster of care, and usually a provider quote. A support coordinator commonly helps arrange it. Talk to your planner or Local Area Coordinator about whether SIL suits your situation.

Is SIL only for people who cannot do anything for themselves?

No. SIL is about providing the right level of support to live as independently as possible, including building skills over time. The aim is more independence, not less, and the support is matched to what you actually need, which can change as your skills grow.

Where to next

Supported Independent Living can be life-changing for people with high daily support needs, but it is one option among several, and the right choice depends on your needs, your goals, and how you want to live. The NDIS website (ndis.gov.au) has the current detail, and a support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator can help you work through whether SIL, SDA, ILO, or a different mix of supports is the best fit.

This is general information, not advice; for your situation, contact the NDIS (ndis.gov.au) or your support coordinator.