Moving Into SIL: A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide
Moving into SIL, step by step: exploring options, building evidence, getting funded, choosing a provider and housemates, and the roster of care.
Moving into Supported Independent Living is a big step, and it can feel daunting when you are not sure of the order things happen in. This guide lays out the journey from first thoughts to settling into your new home, one step at a time, so you always know what comes next and who helps with each part.
Before you start: what SIL is
Step 1: Explore your home and living options
Step 2: Build the evidence
Step 3: Get your home and living decision
Step 4: Choose a provider and, if sharing, housemates
Step 5: The roster of care and service agreement
Step 6: Moving in and settling
Where this fits in the bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
How do I get SIL funding?
You explore your home and living options, build evidence about your support needs with an OT or allied health professional, and submit a request to the NDIA, often via a Home and Living Supports Request form. The NDIA assesses whether SIL is reasonable and necessary and decides the level of support.
How long does it take to move into SIL?
It varies widely. Exploration, gathering evidence and the NDIA decision can each take weeks, and finding the right home and provider adds more time. Starting early, keeping your evidence specific, and lining up housing in parallel all help. There is no fixed timeframe, so plan for a process, not a…
Can I choose my SIL provider and housemates?
Yes. You choose the provider whose workers will support you, and if you share a home you have a say in who you live with. Compatible housemates and a reliable provider make shared living work, so it is worth meeting a few options and asking how they handle staffing and continuity.
What is a roster of care?
A roster of care is a detailed plan of exactly who supports you, when, for how long, and at what staffing ratio across a typical week, including overnights. It is the backbone of SIL and should reflect your real daily pattern. Your provider builds it, and it can be adjusted as your needs change.