The Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Supported Independent Living (SILs)

Whether you’re a support provider or a participant, keep reading. We’ll explore everything you need to know about this NDIS support, from how it’s granted to managing SIL funds.

 

What Is Supported Independent Living?

 

Supported independent living (SIL) is NDIS funding for paid personal supports that help eligible participants with higher support needs live as independently as possible at home, usually in a shared house, with the roster of care and the claiming behind it run in software such as ShiftCare.

This fund enables participants to live in their own rented homes. That said, most people who receive SIL will live in a shared home with other SIL recipients. This allows one support worker to support multiple participants at the same time.

 

Who Is Eligible for SIL Under the NDIS?

The NDIA will consider a participant potentially eligible for SIL if they meet three criteria: they are aged 18 or over, they need active disability support for at least eight hours a day on top of some level of support at other times, and supported independent living would meet the NDIS funding criteria.

On that third criterion, the NDIA weighs up whether a different home and living support would suit the participant better. The alternatives it considers include specialist disability accommodation, individualised living options, home modifications, short-term and medium-term accommodation, residential aged care for younger people, and personal care supports.

Meeting the first two criteria does not guarantee funding. The eight hour threshold is a floor, not a trigger.

What SIL Funds Cover

 

There are strict limits placed on what supported independent living funds can be used for.

 

Which Supports Are Included in Supported Independent Living?

 

The NDIS-supported independent living funds can be used for assistance with tasks so that participants can continue living independently. This includes support worker and carer visits for:

 

• Personal care, such as dressing and bathing
• Household tasks, such as cleaning and managing utilities
• Menu planning, shopping and cooking
• Basic budgeting and administrative tasks
• Transport to participate in social and community events, go to work or school, attend appointments and other daily tasks
• Training for essential life skills that will allow participants to live more autonomously
• Sleepover support (up to two hours of support per night)
• Active overnight support (more than two hours of support)

 

What Does Supported Independent Living Not Include?

 

Supported independent living only pays for the support worker’s services. It does not pay for day-to-day living expenses, such as:

• Rent
• Bills
• Groceries

 

SILs are only designed for support at home and with public transport. They do not cover support at work or in school, although participants can receive these supports alongside SIL.

 

Nor do SILs pay for home modifications or specialist disability accommodation (SDA). However, NDIS participants and their plan managers can apply for SDA or home modifications in addition to their supported independent living funds.

 

What Are Irregular SIL Supports and What Do They Cover?

 

Even though there are clear rules around what supported independent living funds can be used for, SILs are also designed to be flexible.

 

When the NDIA allocates an SIL fund for a participant, two new service bookings are created. One is for an annual SIL plan value based on the NDIS provider’s proposed roster of care. The other is for a set number of irregular support shifts. This means that if the participant unexpectedly needs more support coverage, the NDIS provider can supply it.

 

Irregular supports are meant to be used when the participant spends more time at home than planned. This might be because they are ill and so unable to attend their usual weekly events, such as work or school.

 

But, remember that SILs — even irregular support SILs — only include assistance with the day-to-day tasks that participants need to live independently. In other words, they would not cover support related to the cause of this illness, even when it’s affected by their disability.

 

For example, let’s say that among other conditions, a participant has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. They are unable to attend work due to a flare-up, and so they require irregular SIL support at home. They also need physiotherapy and pain management to help manage the flare-up. However, physiotherapy would come out of the participant’s capacity-building supports instead of their irregular SIL support.

 

The Benefits of Supported Independent Living

 

Supported independent living is one of the best ways to ensure that NDIS participants with higher support needs can live independently while receiving the care they need.

 

For participants, SIL is a chance to live in their own home instead of with family members. It allows them to develop more autonomy, increase their quality of life, and in many cases, boost their self-esteem.

 

Since SILs are typically houseshares, supported independent living is also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations. SIL residents can make friends, receive emotional support and increase their social circle.

 

At the same time, SIL recipients have the round-the-clock support they need from experts. They live in a safe environment with a schedule that’s custom-built for them. The schedule is designed to not just ensure their safety, but to also help them achieve their goals and be an active member of the community.

 

Does SIL Mean 24-Hour Support?

SIL is often described as 24-hour care, and for some participants it is. For many it is not. A participant who works, studies or attends community events regularly will have hours where nobody is rostered on, because they are not at home and do not need support there.

What SIL does guarantee is that support is available whenever the participant needs it. The roster of care is built around the participant’s actual week, not around a flat 24 hour block.

Alternative Home and Living Supports

 

Supported independent living is just one of several supports the NDIA provides to help people with disability live more independently and comfortably.

 

Other potential supports include:

 

• Individualised living options (ILOs)
• Housing modifications
• Specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• Residential aged care

 

When choosing which support to fund, the NDIA will consider the participant’s support needs, goals, current independent living skills and alternative options. In some cases, the NDIA may allocate more than one of these funds.

 

However, group homes and residential aged care are increasingly less likely to be funded. The Disability Royal Commission has recommended phasing them out due to the serious issues found in group home care settings. In almost all cases, SILs and specialist disability accommodation are considered a significantly better option for participants.

 

What’s the Difference Between Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

 

We’ve already looked at how supported independent living only pays for visits by a support worker or carer team. It does not include the participant’s housing or housing modifications.

 

That’s where specialist disability accommodation (SDA) becomes relevant. SDA is housing designed for people with very high support needs. This goes beyond basic housing modifications, such as installing a wet room or chairlift.

 

Participants still have to pay rent for their specialist disability accommodation. Most participants will also live in a shared SDA with other participants. However, if their disability requires it, they can live alone.

 

This means that NDIS participants can be entitled to both specialist disability accommodation and supported independent living funds. The SDA ensures they have a safe, comfortable and accessible home, while the SIL provides the support they need with daily activities.

 

What’s the Difference Between Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Individualised Living Options (ILO)?

 

Individualised living options (ILOs) are a home and living support for people with lower support needs compared to SILs. They’re a more flexible option that also makes use of a participant’s informal support networks.

 

In ILOs, a participant lives with a host or a housemate in accommodation of their choosing. They work with their support coordinator or NDIS provider to outline the supports they need and how those can be met.

 

Similarly to SILs, this allows the participant to live outside of the family home. Their host or housemate will not be a relative.

 

Unlike SILs, however, the participant will not receive constant support from a carer while at home. Some of their support will be provided through scheduled support worker visits while other support will be met informally.

 

This may include support from friends, family members, neighbours, volunteers and their host or housemate. There may also be times during the day when they do not receive any in-person support.

 

How Do Participants Find a Supported Independent Living Home?

 

Participants must find their supported independent living home before applying for the funding. This is because SIL support services are shared between housemates. The same NDIS provider manages the home and the services for all residents.

 

This doesn’t mean that a participant has to stay in the same home or with the same provider to keep receiving their SIL funds. They can of course move in the future. What they can’t do is switch providers without moving to a different home.

 

When applying for SIL funding, the participant’s NDIS support coordinator will help them find a suitable home. They will have the necessary local contacts to be able to suggest several options that could suit the participants’ needs, goals and preferences. From there, the participant can pick the one they prefer.

 

Participants and their friends and families can also look for potential SIL homes if they want to. Online databases like silaccommodation.com plus local SIL providers are good places to start.

 

How SIL Sits Inside an NDIS Plan

SIL funding is allocated separately to core and capacity-building supports, so it does not come out of a participant’s existing core budget. The NDIA only allocates it after a provider submits a draft roster of care. If the roster is approved, the funds are added to the participant’s plan.

Approval turns on the reasonable and necessary test. The NDIA looks at how the support would help the participant work towards their goals and take part in their community, not simply whether they need help at home.

One thing worth saying plainly to participants: SIL may not fund the home they are already in or the one they would prefer. The NDIA takes preferences into account, then decides on factors including cost-effectiveness and likely impact.

Every participant funded for SIL is also funded for a support coordinator, who helps plan how the SIL funds get used and builds out the full-time roster of care. Note too that SIL does not cover home modifications or assistive technology. Those are separate supports that can be funded alongside SIL or instead of it.

Providers delivering SIL now also sit inside the mandatory registration regime that commenced on 1 July 2026. If you were delivering SIL unregistered before that date, see our guide to SIL registration and the 1 October 2026 deadline.

How Long Does SIL Funding Last, and How Is It Renewed?

SIL is built for people with permanent disability, so it does not lapse annually and need reapplying for. It is automatically extended for a further 365 days each year unless a support plan review has taken place. A change in the participant’s circumstances is what triggers a review, not the calendar.

How Does Supported Independent Living Funding Work?

 

Applying for supported independent living funding is a lengthy but straightforward process. The long application helps ensure that participants receive the right amount of SIL support and funding.

 

The Supported Independent Living Application Process

There are four steps to applying for SILs. At each stage, a different person or organisation will take the lead.

 

Step 1: The Participant Notifies the NDIS

 

Prior to receiving SIL, most participants live at home with family members. Supported independent living will only be considered once a participant has decided that they want to move out and achieve more independence.

 

The participant can notify the NDIS of this either through their regular plan review or a change in circumstances form. This will initiate a plan reassessment.

 

If the participant doesn’t already have support coordination funding, the NDIA will typically allocate it at this point. That’s because SIL service provision has to be fully planned out before the NDIA will grant funds for it.

 

Step 2: The Support Coordinator Takes Charge of the Application

 

In the next phase of the application, the support coordinator or plan manager will meet with the participant. They will want to better understand the participant’s needs and goals. Some of the topics they will discuss include:

 

• The participant’s circumstances and housing preferences
• Their current independence and skill levels
• Their support needs
• Alternative supports that could be applied for instead of or in addition to SIL
• The types of housing that would meet the participants’ needs and goals while representing value for money

 

Once they’ve discussed that, the support coordinator will work with the participant to find potential SIL accommodation through an appropriate NDIS provider. They may also gather or arrange for medical reports to support the participant’s application.

 

Step 3: The NDIS Provider Creates a Roster of Care

 

Once SIL accommodation has been selected, the provider has to create a detailed roster of care. This will break down the support services that the participant would receive based on their support needs.

 

The provider will work with the participant or support coordinator to create the roster. They must also use the SIL Roster of Care Tool, which can be downloaded here. The roster must then be emailed to enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

 

Step 4: The NDIA Makes a Decision

 

The NDIA will decide whether to allocate SIL funding for the proposed roster of care. They will take into account:

 

• The participant’s situation and goals
• Where they are currently living
• The supports they receive and may need in the future
• The other home and living supports they have looked at
• Their independent living skills and how those could be built on
• Any assessments from medical professionals, allied health professionals or behavioural support practitioners
• If other home and living supports would better meet the participant’s needs
• If other home and living supports would represent better value for money

 

How Are SIL Funding Levels Decided?

 

When deciding how much funding to allocate, the NDIA weighs up:

 

• The roster of care
• The in-home support hours for the participant, i.e. how much time they would spend at home and how much they would spend at work, in school or at social events
• The participant’s required support ratio
• Their required support intensity
• Overnight support needs
• Irregular support needs

 

The NDIA calculates the amount of support worker hours that will need funding based on the roster of care and required support ratio. They then use this to set the supported independent living funding amount.

 

They also build in an average of 12 public holidays to their funding estimate, since the participant will probably need more in-home support hours those days.

 

And, the NDIA funds a number of irregular support days. For the first year of SIL, they generally fund up to 10 irregular support days per year, or 15 for participants with high-intensity support needs. In subsequent years, the number is based on past usage.

 

Sharing SIL Supports Between Multiple Participants

 

When deciding funding levels, the NDIA will consider the participant’s support ratio needs. This is how many support workers they need and how many participants they can share them with.

 

Support ratios are possible because most SIL recipients live in a shared house with other people requiring SIL supports. However, they also require careful planning. The participants’ housemates, along with their schedules and support needs, must be taken into account.

 

The NDIS provider will specify the client’s ratio of support in the proposed roster of care. Once the funding has been allocated, they are then responsible for claiming for the correct amount of shared support against each participant’s funds.

 

Managing a Participant’s SIL Funds

 

For an NDIS provider, SIL care management presents unique challenges. Although there’s already an approved roster of care in place, the provider still has to make sure their spending is on track throughout the year.

 

Providers can manage — and bill for — regular SIL provision in two different ways: weekly or hourly. These methods cannot be combined.

 

Weekly SIL Billing

 

Weekly billing is simpler and offers more flexibility. But, greater flexibility can sometimes lead to challenging discussions.

 

With weekly billing, the participant and provider agree on a typical schedule that will be valid for the entire year. The provider then claims 1/52nd of the annual SIL fund each week. There are no claim adjustments for working on public holidays, since the public holiday allowance was already built into the annual fund.

 

The participant and provider can negotiate week-by-week variations to the schedule without breaching their service agreements. However, with the exception of irregular support provision, these negotiations will make no difference to the claim amount. Providers should decide on their policy for schedule changes in advance to make these negotiations easier.

 

Hourly SIL Billing

 

With hourly SIL billing, the NDIS provider claims for each hour of service provision. This means the rates will vary based on the time of day, whether it’s a weekend or public holiday, and more.

 

The provider will also have to correctly divide claims between all the support recipients in the household. That makes accurate service schedules and support worker time-tracking essential. Without the right care management software, hourly SIL billing can represent a major increase in admin time.

 

That’s not the only reason that hourly billing can cause additional administrative work. In theory, most weeks the providers’ claim should be the same as if they were billing weekly. But, that’s not always the case.

 

The provider cannot bill for support hours that they haven’t provided. If the participant has fewer in-home hours in any given week, they would use less of their fund.

 

On the other hand, the provider cannot bill for more than the participants’ allocated funds. If they were to overspend some weeks, this could cause funding gaps later on in the year. As such, it’s critical that the provider carefully tracks and forecasts hourly spending.

 

Submitting NDIS Payment Requests for SIL

 

SIL claims must be done through the NDIS provider portal. For weekly billing, providers should choose the line item “Assistance in Supported Independent Living – Weekly”. Alternatively, for hourly billing, use the standard claims method. Irregular support should always be claimed as the line item “Irregular SIL Support”.

 

For smoother payment claims, SIL providers can auto-generate their bulk invoices from their shift records using their care management software. Make sure the software’s NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits is up to date so that you’re claiming the correct amount.

 

How Software Helps Deliver Quality Support for Participants in SILs

 

Managing participants’ SIL support needs can be challenging. Not only do you need to ensure consistently high-quality support, but you need to create a schedule that meets multiple clients’ needs. And, you need to monitor funding usage and correctly invoice the NDIA.

 

ShiftCare’s NDIS software has all the tools you need to manage complex support schedules, SIL participant funds and NDIS claims. Features include team and recurring rosters, client spending tracked across different funds, a job board for filling irregular support and other empty shifts, real-time no-show alerts, and auto-generated NDIS bulk invoices.

 

Plus, ShiftCare comes with a carer app and a portal for clients’ approved loved ones. The carer app allows staff to clock in, check participant details, add progress notes and track participants’ goals while on shift. Through the friends and family portal, clients’ loved ones can receive updates, giving them greater peace of mind.

 

Discover how the right tools can make SIL service delivery stress-free. Try ShiftCare for free.

 

If you run SIL houses and you are weighing up whether your current system is holding you back, we have covered that separately in rethinking your care management software. And if you want to put a number on what a poor roster-to-claim process is costing you, the margin leakage calculator works it out from your own participant and hours figures. For the monthly reports and service agreement terms that keep a SIL house viable, see how SIL providers can improve compliance, financial management and efficiency.

SIL FAQs

 

Do I have to register to provide SIL?

Yes. Mandatory registration for supported independent living commenced on 1 July 2026. If you were already a registered provider delivering SIL, the NDIS Commission adds the new registration group 0138 to your certificate and no application is needed. If you were delivering SIL unregistered, you must apply by 1 October 2026 to keep going.

Does SIL mean someone is with me 24 hours a day?

Not always. SIL is often described as 24-hour care, and for some participants it is. If you work, study or attend community events, there will be hours where nobody is rostered on because you are not home. What SIL guarantees is that support is available whenever you need it at home.

Is SIL taken out of my core budget?

No. SIL funding is allocated separately to core and capacity-building supports, so it does not reduce your existing core budget. The NDIA only allocates it once a provider submits a draft roster of care and the NDIA approves it. The funds are then added to your plan.

Do I have to reapply for SIL every year?

No. SIL is built for people with permanent disability, so it is automatically extended for a further 365 days each year. The exception is a support plan review, which resets that. A change in your circumstances is what triggers a review, not the anniversary of your plan.

What is a SIL assessment?

 

A SIL assessment looks at the support a person needs to live safely and comfortably at home. The NDIA considers their daily routine, goals, current living situation and the help they already receive. This information is used to decide whether Supported Independent Living is suitable and meets the NDIS funding rules.

 

What are the alternatives to SIL?

 

There are several alternatives if SIL is not the right fit. Depending on the person’s needs, they may explore Individualised Living Options (ILO), personal care support, assistive technology, home modifications or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The best option will depend on how they want to live and what support they need.

 

What is the difference between SIL and ILO under the NDIS?

 

The main difference is how the support is arranged. SIL usually involves regular, rostered help at home, sometimes throughout the day and overnight. ILO is more flexible and built around the person’s preferred living arrangement, which may include paid support alongside help from housemates, hosts, family or friends.

 

Who may be eligible for SIL under the NDIS?

 

The NDIA considers you potentially eligible if you are aged 18 or over, you need active disability support for at least eight hours a day plus some support at other times, and SIL meets the NDIS funding criteria. Meeting the first two does not guarantee funding, because the NDIA also weighs up whether another home and living support fits better.

 

How does SIL support daily living for participants?

 

SIL helps people manage everyday life at home. Support may include personal care, cooking, cleaning, household tasks and help with medication. Workers can also help participants build practical skills and become more independent, while still having the support they need to feel safe and confident at home.

 

Can SIL be funded for a participant living alone?

 

Yes, it is possible, though most people funded for SIL live in a shared home with other participants, which lets one support worker support several people at once. The NDIA weighs cost-effectiveness and community involvement in its decision, so living alone is harder to fund but not ruled out.

 

How do SIL providers support quality and compliance?

 

SIL providers support quality and compliance by keeping clear records, following each participant’s support plan and making sure workers understand their responsibilities. Registered providers must also meet the NDIS Practice Standards. Tools such as ShiftCare can help teams manage schedules, notes, reports and everyday service delivery.

 

How can SIL funding be managed effectively?

 

Good SIL funding management starts with accurate records. Providers need to record the support delivered, monitor spending, use the correct support ratios and follow current NDIS pricing and claiming rules. Care management software can make it easier to keep schedules, service records and funding information organised. Our free SIL house end-of-month checklist covers the monthly reviews, records and funding checks in one list.