How to Choose a SIL Provider
How to choose a SIL provider: the questions to ask, what a good service agreement looks like, and how to check a provider before you commit.
Your SIL provider runs the support in your home — who comes through your door, how well the shifts are staffed, and whether your day actually works. It's one of the most important choices you'll make, and it deserves more than a quick look at a website. This guide walks you through how to choose a SIL provider you can trust, the questions to ask, and the warning signs to watch for.
Why the provider matters so much
Start with your own priorities
The questions worth asking
Reading the service agreement carefully
Checking registration and track record
Meeting the team and seeing the home
Trusting your instincts and keeping your options open
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a good SIL provider?
Start with your own priorities — routine, consistency, culture and specific support needs — then ask each provider concrete questions about rostering, sick cover, training and complaints. Meet the workers, read the service agreement carefully, check registration and track record, and trust how they…
Can my SIL provider be different from my housing provider?
Yes. Your SIL (support) provider and your SDA (housing) provider can be separate organisations. You're generally not obliged to take support from whoever owns the building, so you can choose the support provider that best fits your needs.
What should I check in a SIL service agreement?
Check the notice periods for ending the agreement, exactly what support the provider will deliver, how your funding is claimed, and how easily you can change providers. Be cautious of long lock-in periods, and have your support coordinator or someone you trust review it.
Can I change SIL providers if it isn't working?
Yes. You can move to a different SIL provider if the support isn't right for you — that's your choice as a participant. Your service agreement will set out the notice period, but a fair provider should never make it hard to leave.