How to Get SIL or SDA Funding in Your NDIS Plan
How to get SIL funding and SDA in your NDIS plan: what each one pays for, the evidence you need, the steps to request it, and what to do if it's declined.
SIL vs SDA: what each one actually pays for
How to get SIL funding: the core test
Step by step: requesting SIL in your plan
What makes strong SIL evidence
How SDA funding works and who qualifies
A real-life scenario
Will the 2026-27 reforms affect SIL and SDA?
Common pitfalls to avoid
If SIL or SDA isn't the right fit — or gets declined
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between SIL and SDA in simple terms?
SIL pays for the people who support you day to day — help with cooking, personal care, medication and so on. SDA pays for a specially designed home for people with very high needs. One is about support, the other is about the building. You can have one, the other, or both, and they're assessed separately.
Do I need a specific goal to get SIL funding?
Yes, in most cases. The NDIA usually wants a home-and-living goal in your plan — something about living more independently or moving out of home — to anchor the request. If you don't have one, raise it with your planner or support coordinator before or during your next planning meeting.
Will the NDIS changes cut my SIL funding?
The participation budget reset that starts progressively from 1 October 2026 targets social, civic and community participation supports, not daily living. The government has said critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of that reset, and SIL is a daily-living support. Wider planning changes from 2027 may affect how supports appear in your plan, so confirm your own situation with the NDIA.
What can I do if my SIL or SDA request is declined?
Ask for the reasons, then strengthen your evidence — often a more detailed functional assessment helps. You can request a review of the decision, and if you still disagree, go to the Administrative Review Tribunal. Extra appeals-advocacy funding in 2026-27 means free help with an appeal may be available through Legal Aid or an advocate.
Does SDA funding mean I get a house straight away?
No. An SDA decision confirms you're eligible for a certain type of dwelling in a certain area — it doesn't give you a specific property. You then look for an enrolled SDA home that matches, often with a support coordinator's help. Because suitable homes are limited, this step can take some time.