If you are exploring housing and living options under the NDIS, you may have come across the term Independent Living Options (ILO). It is a support type that is sometimes confused with Supported Independent Living (SIL), but the two are quite different in how they work, what they fund, and who they suit. Understanding ILO could open up new possibilities for living more independently and in a way that genuinely reflects your personal goals and preferences.
In this guide, we break down exactly what ILO is, how it is funded under the NDIS, who is eligible, and how it compares to other living and support options available to participants in Queensland and across Australia.
What Is Independent Living Options (ILO)?
Independent Living Options is an NDIS-funded support that helps a person with disability to live in their own home or in a living arrangement of their choosing, with support provided in a flexible and personalised way. Rather than placing a person in a pre-existing service or shared house, ILO is designed to build a support arrangement around the individual’s preferences, relationships, and goals.
ILO recognises that people with disability want to live in their communities, maintain their relationships, and make their own choices about where and how they live — just like anyone else. It is built on the principles of self-determination, community connection, and person-centred planning.
ILO can include a combination of:
- Support from a paid disability support worker
- Informal support from family, friends, or community members
- Host family or shared living arrangements
- Building a support network around the individual
- A mix of all of the above, tailored to the person’s needs and goals
The key distinction is that ILO is about co-designing a living arrangement that works for you as an individual, rather than fitting you into a standardised service model.
How Does ILO Differ from SIL (Supported Independent Living)?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for NDIS participants and their families. Here is a clear comparison:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Primarily designed for people with high support needs living in shared accommodation or specialist housing
- Involves paid support workers providing assistance with daily activities, often 24/7
- The support model is typically provided by the SIL provider and follows a structured arrangement
- Funded under Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Life in the NDIS plan
- Can only be delivered by a registered NDIS provider
Independent Living Options (ILO)
- Designed to support people who want to live more independently in the community, with a flexible mix of formal and informal supports
- Focuses on building a unique support arrangement around the individual
- Can involve support from a host family, shared living with a support person, or community-based networks
- Funded under Core Supports in the NDIS plan — specifically under Assistance with Daily Life
- May involve registered or unregistered providers depending on the participant’s plan management
In short: SIL is a structured, provider-led arrangement for people with high support needs, while ILO is a more flexible, participant-led model that prioritises community integration and personal choice.
How Is ILO Funded Under the NDIS?
ILO is funded through the Core Supports budget in an NDIS plan, under the Assistance with Daily Life support category. This is the same broad category that funds SIL, personal care, community access support, and other daily living supports.
However, ILO funding works a little differently to traditional block-funded supports like SIL. The NDIS approach to ILO typically involves two stages:
Stage 1: ILO Exploration and Design
Before ILO supports are funded, a participant may receive funding to work with an ILO provider to explore and design their preferred living arrangement. This exploration phase involves:
- Understanding what the person values and wants from their living situation
- Identifying existing informal supports and relationships
- Mapping out what formal supports would be needed to complement those
- Designing a sustainable, safe, and personalised arrangement
This design phase results in an ILO Support Plan, which is submitted to the NDIA for consideration. The NDIA then determines whether the proposed arrangement is reasonable and necessary and whether it represents value for money compared to alternative options.
Stage 2: Ongoing ILO Supports
Once the ILO arrangement is approved, the NDIS funds the ongoing supports needed to make it work. This might include paid support workers, reimbursements to informal supporters (in some cases), and coordination of the arrangement.
It is important to note that ILO funding is not automatically included in every NDIS plan. You will need to discuss your housing and living goals with your NDIA planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) and specifically request that ILO be explored. A Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator can also assist with this process.
Who Is ILO Suitable For?
ILO is most suitable for people with disability who:
- Want to live independently or semi-independently in the community
- Have strong preferences about where and how they live that cannot be met by a standard SIL or group home arrangement
- Have existing relationships or community networks that could form part of a support arrangement
- Are motivated to co-design their support arrangement and take an active role in how their supports are structured
- May have lower-to-moderate support needs that can be met flexibly, or complex needs that require a highly individualised approach
ILO is not just for people with mild disabilities. It can also work well for people with significant support needs who have a strong preference for community living over more structured accommodation settings. The key is that the arrangement must be shown to be safe, sustainable, and reasonable and necessary under the NDIS.
What Are the Benefits of ILO?
The independent living options model offers several meaningful advantages over more traditional support arrangements:
Greater Choice and Control
ILO puts you at the centre of designing your support. You decide where you live, who supports you, and how that support is structured. This level of choice and control is a cornerstone of the NDIS philosophy and a powerful factor in achieving positive outcomes.
Community Connection
ILO is built around keeping you connected to your community and your existing relationships. Rather than being placed in a facility away from your natural network, ILO actively builds on your social connections to create a sustainable support ecosystem.
Flexibility
Because ILO arrangements are individually designed, they can adapt as your needs, goals, and circumstances change over time. This is a significant advantage over more rigid service models that may not easily accommodate change.
Potential for Cost Efficiency
In some cases, ILO arrangements can deliver high-quality support at a lower overall cost than traditional SIL arrangements, particularly when informal support networks are effectively engaged. This can make it an attractive option for the NDIA and may increase the likelihood of funding approval.
ILO vs SDA: Understanding the Difference
It is also worth distinguishing ILO from Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA is a separate NDIS funding category that pays for the physical dwelling itself — the building or home — for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. ILO, by contrast, funds the supports provided within a living arrangement, not the accommodation itself.
Some participants may have both SDA and ILO (or SIL) funding — the SDA covers the house, while ILO or SIL covers the day-to-day support delivered in that home.
How to Get ILO Included in Your NDIS Plan
To have ILO included in your NDIS plan, you should:
- Speak with your NDIA planner or LAC at your next plan review and clearly articulate your housing and living goals
- Work with a Support Coordinator who has experience in ILO to help you prepare evidence for your planning meeting
- Contact an ILO provider who can guide you through the exploration and design process
- Document your goals — the more clearly you can articulate what you want from your living situation and why ILO is the right approach, the stronger your case will be
How Liberty Health Services Can Help
At Liberty Health Services, we work with NDIS participants across Queensland to explore and implement living arrangements that genuinely work for them. Whether you are considering SIL, ILO, or another support model, our experienced team can help you understand your options and take the next steps.
If you would like to discuss ILO or explore what living options may be available to you, get in touch with our team today. We are here to help you live the life you choose.
Summary
Independent Living Options (ILO) is a flexible, person-centred NDIS support designed to help people with disability live independently in their community. Funded through the Core Supports budget, ILO is co-designed around the individual’s goals, relationships, and preferences. It differs from SIL in its flexibility and focus on community integration, and it can be a powerful option for participants who want genuine choice and control over their living arrangements. If ILO sounds like the right fit for you, speak with your NDIS planner or a support coordinator to explore how to get it included in your plan.
