Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Funded support to help you live as independently as possible, often in a shared home.

What it means

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is funding for the day-to-day help you need to live as independently as possible. It pays for support workers to assist you with everyday tasks and to build your living skills over time. This can include help with things like personal care, preparing meals, taking medication, cleaning, managing your household and staying safe at home.

A key point often misunderstood is that SIL is the support, not the house. It does not pay your rent or buy you a home. SIL is funded separately from your housing, so you can receive SIL in a place you rent privately, in social housing, or in a specialist dwelling. SIL is often provided in a shared home with other participants, but this is not a rule and some people receive it living on their own.

In practice

SIL usually suits people who need help throughout the day, and sometimes overnight. Support is arranged around your needs, so it might be one-to-one at certain times or shared with housemates at others. Providers describe the support they will deliver in a document, and the NDIA looks at what level of help you genuinely need before it is funded.

Because SIL and housing are separate, it helps to plan them together. You might explore SIL alongside options like Specialist Disability Accommodation or ordinary rental. Evidence from allied health professionals, such as an occupational therapist, and a clear picture of your goals will support your request. If your needs change, your SIL supports can be reviewed and adjusted.

A real example

For example, Priya moved into a shared home with two housemates and receives SIL support each morning and evening. A support worker helps her plan meals, practise cooking and manage her medication, and there is overnight support in case she needs help during the night. Over time Priya has learned to prepare simple meals on her own, so her support now focuses on the tasks she still finds difficult.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) — FAQs

Does SIL pay for my rent or house?
No. SIL only funds the support you receive, not your accommodation. Your rent, bills and everyday living costs are your own responsibility and are usually paid from your income, just like anyone else. Housing and support are funded separately under the NDIS, so you arrange your home through renting, social housing or specialist accommodation, and SIL covers the help you need inside it.
Do I have to live in a shared house to get SIL?
No. SIL is often delivered in a shared home because support can be shared between housemates, which can suit some people well. However, it is not a requirement. Some participants receive SIL while living on their own. What matters is the level of daily support you need, not the type of home you live in or how many people you live with.
How is the amount of SIL funding decided?
The NDIA looks at how much day-to-day support you genuinely need to live as independently as possible. It considers evidence about your functional capacity, your goals and any support you already have, such as from family. Assessments from allied health professionals help describe your needs. The funding reflects the hours and type of support required, including whether you need overnight or one-to-one help.
Can I get SIL and SDA at the same time?
Yes, some people receive both, but they are different things. SDA funds a specialist dwelling built for high support needs, while SIL funds the support delivered inside any home. Eligibility for each is assessed separately, and having one does not automatically mean you get the other. Many SIL participants live in ordinary rentals rather than SDA homes.
What if my support needs change over time?
Your SIL supports can be reviewed and adjusted. If you build new skills and need less help, or your situation changes and you need more, this can be reflected at a plan review. Keeping notes and getting updated evidence, often from an occupational therapist, helps show how your needs have changed so your funding stays right for you.

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