SIL vs Supported Residential Service (SRS): Key Differences
SIL vs supported residential service (SRS): how funding, regulation and support differ, and which option fits your situation on the NDIS.
SIL and a Supported Residential Service (SRS) can look similar from the outside — both involve living somewhere with support on hand — but they're funded, regulated and run very differently. This guide sets out the key differences between SIL and an SRS so you can tell which one actually fits your situation.
The essential difference
What SIL is
What an SRS is
Side by side
Who each one suits
How to decide
Getting help and finding providers
Frequently asked questions
Is an SRS funded by the NDIS?
No. An SRS is a privately operated, state-regulated service that residents pay for themselves, often from a pension. SIL, by contrast, is NDIS-funded support delivered in your home. The two are funded and regulated separately.
Can I get NDIS supports while living in an SRS?
You may be able to receive NDIS supports while living in an SRS, but the accommodation itself isn't NDIS-funded. It's worth getting advice from a support coordinator before combining private accommodation with an NDIS plan.
Which has stronger safeguards?
SIL sits under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission with registered providers and plan-based oversight. SRS are regulated by state governments, and quality can vary, so it pays to check any SRS carefully before moving in.
I have high support needs — which fits?
If you're an NDIS participant with substantial daily needs and want individually planned support, SIL is generally designed for you. An SRS is a more general, privately funded option, not a tailored NDIS disability support.
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