Supported Independent Living (SIL)

To be eligible for NDIS SIL funding, you must:

• Be an NDIS participant with an approved plan.
• Have a permanent and significant disability requiring daily support.
• Need assistance with personal care, household tasks, or social activities.
• Live in or be willing to live in a shared or independent supported home.

Your eligibility is assessed by the NDIS planning team, who will determine if SIL is the right support for your needs.

Applying for SIL funding involves these steps:

• Speak to your support coordinator or NDIS planner
• Get an assessment to determine your daily support needs.
• Provide evidence from therapists, doctors, or caregivers to justify SIL funding.
• Submit your request during your NDIS plan review or planning meeting.
• Wait for approval – NDIS will assess your needs and decide if SIL is suitable for you.
• A support coordinator can help navigate the process to ensure you receive the right funding.

• SIL provides daily living support in a shared or independent home, including.
• Personal care – Assistance with showering, dressing, and grooming.
• Household tasks – Cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
• Medication management – Ensuring you take the right medications at the right time.
• Skill development – Help with budgeting, meal planning, and social skills.
• Community participation – Support to access local services and social activities.

The level of support varies based on individual needs and NDIS funding.

Yes! As a NDIS participant, you have full choice and control over selecting your SIL provider. When choosing a provider, consider:

• Their experience in SIL support.
• Whether they have vacancies in your preferred location.
• If their staff are qualified and experienced.
• Their reputation and reviews from other NDIS participants.

It’s important to choose a provider that aligns with your goals and support needs.

• Level of support needed – Low, medium, or high support levels.
• Number of housemates – Shared housing typically costs less.
• Support requirements – Whether you need 24/7 support or specific hours.
• NDIS assessment – Based on functional assessments and reports from health professionals.

Providing strong evidence of your support needs can help secure the right funding.

To find SIL vacancies, you can:

• Search online – Many SIL providers list vacancies on their websites.
• Ask your support coordinator – They have access to available SIL homes.
• Use NDIS housing platforms – Websites like NDIS Housing Hub list SIL vacancies.
• Contact SIL providers directly – Many have waitlists and upcoming openings.

Adding your location to your search (e.g., "NDIS SIL vacancies in [your city]") can help find options near you.

When choosing an NDIS SIL provider, look for:

• Experienced and qualified support staff.
• A safe and comfortable home environment.
• Support that aligns with your needs and goals.
• Flexibility in services and 24/7 support availability.
• Positive reviews and testimonials from other NDIS participants.

Taking the time to research and visit different providers can help you find the best match.

SIL is typically for shared housing, but in some cases, you may qualify for SIL funding while living alone if:

• You have high support needs requiring 24/7 care.
• A shared living environment is not suitable for your condition.
• NDIS assesses that living alone is the best option for your independence.

Speak with your support coordinator to see if individual SIL funding is right for you.

The NDIS SIL approval process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on:

• How quickly you submit supporting evidence.
• The complexity of your support needs.
• NDIS review times and their current backlog.

To speed up approval, ensure you provide a clear case for SIL funding with professional reports from therapists or doctors.

SIL (Supported Independent Living) focuses on support services, while SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) is about the physical home itself.

• SIL: Covers daily support workers, personal care, and household assistance.
• SDA: Provides specially designed homes for those with high physical support needs.

Many participants receive both SDA and SIL if they require specialized housing and support.

If you’re unhappy with your SIL provider, you can:

• Raise your concerns with them directly.
• Speak to your support coordinator for guidance.
• Find a new SIL provider that better meets your needs.
• Report serious concerns to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.