Individualised Living Options (ILO) Under the NDIS: Is It Right for You?
Individualised living options (ILO) NDIS explained: what it funds, the two stages, how it compares to SIL and SDA, and how to know if it suits you.
Individualised Living Options (ILO) is an NDIS support that funds the help you need to live the way you choose — for example, living alone with drop-in support, or sharing a home with people you pick. Importantly, ILO pays for the support arrangement, not the house or the rent. It suits people who want more say over who they live with and how, and who do not need round-the-clock support in a…
What are individualised living options (ILO) under the NDIS?
How do individualised living options (ILO) work? The two stages
The four common ILO models
Is ILO right for you? Who it suits
ILO vs SIL vs SDA: a quick comparison
How to get ILO included in your NDIS plan
A real-life scenario
How the 2026-2027 NDIS reforms affect ILO
Common pitfalls to avoid
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
Does ILO pay my rent or buy me a house?
No. ILO funds the supports that help you live the way you choose — support workers, host or co-resident arrangements, and skill-building. You still pay your own rent, board or mortgage from your everyday income, the same as any other tenant. If the barrier is finding a suitable, accessible home…
What is the difference between ILO and SIL?
Both are home and living supports, but they suit different needs. ILO is more flexible and individual — it is built around one person who wants choice over where and how they live and who needs less than round-the-clock support. SIL usually funds shared support in a shared home, often 24/7. Neither…
Will the NDIS reforms cut my ILO funding?
The government has said critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of the participation reset that begins from 1 October 2026, and home and living supports like ILO fall in that essential category. However, from 1 April 2027 a new support-needs assessment will progressively change…
How do I get ILO funding in my plan?
Raise your interest in ILO with your planner, LAC or support coordinator before your planning meeting. Usually you first request Exploration and Design funding to work out your ideal arrangement, then submit the resulting design to request ongoing ILO funding. Reports from allied health…
Can I choose who I live with under ILO?
Yes — that choice is central to ILO. Depending on the model you design, you might live alone with drop-in support, live with a host individual or family, share with a co-resident who provides some support, or live with housemates you choose. The Exploration and Design stage is where you test these…