Individualised Living Options (ILO): The Models Explained
ILO models explained: living alone, living with others, host arrangements and combinations, plus the two ILO stages and how ILO funding is worked out.
Individualised Living Options, or ILO, is one of the most flexible ways to build a home life on the NDIS — and one of the least understood. Instead of a fixed service, ILO helps you design a living arrangement around your choices, blending paid and informal support. This guide explains the ILO models, the two stages, and how the funding works.
What ILO is, and what makes it different
The two stages of ILO
Model 1: Living alone
Model 2: Living with someone (co-residency)
Model 3: Host arrangements
Model 4: A combination
How ILO funding is worked out
Where this fits in the bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
What are the ILO models?
The common Individualised Living Options models are living alone with drop-in or on-call support, living with a housemate who provides some support (co-residency), a host arrangement where you live with a host who supports you, and combinations of these. They are starting points that can be blended…
What is the difference between ILO and SIL?
SIL funds a planned roster of paid support, usually for people needing a lot of help around the clock. ILO funds a flexible, individualised arrangement that leans on your informal supports and choices about who you live with. ILO suits people wanting more say in their home life and less intensive…
What are the two stages of ILO?
Stage 1 is Exploration and Design, where you work with a provider to explore options and design a living arrangement around your choices and informal supports. Stage 2 is Ongoing Supports, the funding for the actual support that makes your chosen arrangement work week to week.
How is ILO funding calculated?
ILO funding is individualised, based on the specific mix of paid support you need once your informal and community supports are taken into account. There is no standard rate — two people with the same living model can receive very different funding, which is why the design stage matters so much.