Can you get SIL living alone?
Whether the NDIS will fund Supported Independent Living when you live by yourself rather than in a shared house — and what the alternatives are
Does the NDIS fund SIL for someone living alone?
What evidence supports solo SIL?
Is ILO a better path to living alone?
When is drop-in support enough?
Solo SIL, ILO, drop-in or shared — which fits?
The value-for-money test, in practice
The trade-off of living alone: a thinner roster
Preparing for a planning meeting when you want to live alone
Frequently asked questions
Can you get NDIS SIL living alone?
Yes, the NDIS can fund SIL for someone living alone, but it must be reasonable and necessary and value for money. Because a solo arrangement funds a worker for one person rather than sharing across housemates, it needs strong evidence that sharing or another model won't meet your needs.
What evidence do I need for solo SIL?
Usually an OT functional capacity assessment, specialist or behaviour-support evidence explaining why a shared home would be unsafe or ineffective, a Roster of Care showing the hours can't be shared, and any history of unsuitable shared placements.
Is ILO better than SIL for living alone?
Often, yes. An Individualised Living Option funds a tailored mix of paid and informal support and community connection so you can live alone or with a chosen person. It is frequently a better-funded and more flexible path to independent living than full SIL.
What is drop-in support?
Drop-in support is a worker who visits at scheduled times — for medication, meals, cleaning or appointments — rather than being rostered around the clock. It is funded from your Core budget and suits people living alone who don't need continuous or overnight supervision.
Can the NDIS make me live with other people?
No. The NDIA cannot require you to share a home. It can, however, ask why a shared or alternative arrangement wouldn't meet your needs when it assesses whether solo SIL is value for money, so evidence matters.
Will living alone mean fewer support hours than a shared home?
Often, for the same budget, yes — because you cannot share a worker with housemates, the same funding buys fewer staffed hours in the home. Many people bridge the gap by combining a leaner roster with drop-in support, assistive technology and informal help, which an OT can map out. Living alone is very achievable, but…
Does assistive technology strengthen a case for living alone?
Yes. Showing that technology, monitoring, telehealth or informal support safely reduces the paid hours you need demonstrates the value for money the NDIA looks for. It signals you have found the reasonable, cost-effective way to live alone rather than defaulting to full one-to-one staffing.
Can I try living alone before committing to solo SIL?
In some cases, yes. An ILO exploration and design stage, a trial period, or a lighter drop-in arrangement can test whether living alone works before a full solo roster is funded. Evidence from a trial, or from a previous shared placement that did not suit you, can strengthen a later request. Ask your planner and…