If you or a family member has significant disability support needs and you are exploring options for where and how to live, Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the most important NDIS supports to understand. It is also one of the most commonly misunderstood — and getting clear on what SIL is, who is eligible, and how the funding works can make a significant difference to the quality of life and independence of the people who access it.
At Liberty Health Services, we are a registered NDIS provider delivering SIL services across Queensland. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of SIL — designed to help participants, families, and support coordinators navigate the process with confidence.
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living is an NDIS-funded support that provides hands-on daily assistance to people with disability, enabling them to live as independently as possible in their own home or in shared accommodation. SIL is one of the most intensive and valuable supports the NDIS funds, and it is designed for people who need regular, substantial assistance with the activities of daily life.
SIL can be delivered in several types of living arrangements:
- Shared accommodation — where two or more participants live together in the same home and share support workers
- Sole occupancy — where a participant lives alone in their own home with dedicated support workers
- Apartments or units — including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) properties designed for participants with extreme functional impairment
SIL supports are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can include active overnight support or sleepover arrangements depending on the participant’s assessed needs.
What Does SIL Fund?
SIL funding covers the cost of the support workers who provide assistance in the home. Common SIL supports include:
- Personal care — assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, and hygiene
- Meal preparation — planning and cooking nutritious meals tailored to the participant’s needs
- Household tasks — cleaning, laundry, home maintenance, and shopping
- Medication management — organising and administering medications safely
- Overnight support — active or sleepover support throughout the night
- Community participation — assistance attending appointments, social events, and activities
- Skill building — coaching everyday living skills to increase independence over time
It is important to note that SIL funding does not cover the cost of rent or household bills. These are separate expenses paid by the participant from their own income or Disability Support Pension (DSP). If a participant is living in SDA-registered housing, the SDA funding pays for the dwelling, while SIL covers the supports delivered within it.
How Is SIL Funded Under the NDIS?
SIL is funded under the Core Supports budget in an NDIS plan, specifically within the Assistance with Daily Life support category. It is one of the highest-cost line items in any NDIS plan and is determined by a detailed assessment of the participant’s support needs.
Unlike many other NDIS line items, SIL funding is not quoted from a standard price guide rate. Instead, the NDIA funds SIL based on a quote from a registered SIL provider that sets out the specific staffing model, hours, and costs required to meet the participant’s assessed needs. This means the amount of SIL funding in your plan will be tailored to you individually.
SIL funding is assessed and approved by the NDIA following a thorough process that typically includes:
- An occupational therapy functional assessment
- Input from allied health professionals and support coordinators
- A SIL quote from a registered provider detailing the proposed support model
- Review and approval by the NDIA
Who Is Eligible for SIL?
SIL is not automatically available to every NDIS participant. To be considered for SIL funding, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
1. You Are an NDIS Participant
Only people who have been accepted into the NDIS and have an active NDIS plan are eligible for SIL funding. If you are not yet an NDIS participant, the first step is to apply for the NDIS through your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or the NDIA directly.
2. You Have Significant Daily Support Needs
SIL is designed for participants who need substantial, ongoing assistance with activities of daily living — typically people whose support needs cannot be reasonably met through standard in-home support arrangements such as a Home and Community Care (HACC) service or NDIS in-home support.
The NDIA will assess whether the level of support you need is reasonable and necessary given your disability, your goals, and your living circumstances.
3. You Have Housing and Living Goals That Align with SIL
Your NDIS plan goals must reflect a desire to live as independently as possible and to build capacity for daily living. SIL is fundamentally about supporting people to live in the community, rather than in a residential aged care facility or hospital setting.
4. SIL Is the Most Appropriate Support Option
The NDIA will also consider whether SIL is the most appropriate and cost-effective option for your needs, compared to alternatives such as Independent Living Options (ILO), in-home support, or other community-based arrangements. Providing strong evidence of why SIL is the right approach is important for your planning meeting.
SIL vs ILO vs SDA: Understanding the Difference
Three terms that are often confused are SIL, ILO, and SDA. Here is a quick overview:
- SIL (Supported Independent Living) — funds the support workers who provide daily assistance in the home. Can be delivered in any home, including SDA-registered properties.
- ILO (Independent Living Options) — a more flexible support model for participants who want to design their own community-based living arrangement, often incorporating informal supports alongside paid workers.
- SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) — funds the physical dwelling (building) for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA is separate from SIL and does not cover support worker costs.
Some participants access both SDA and SIL — the SDA funds the specialist home they live in, and the SIL funds the daily support provided in that home.
How to Get SIL in Your NDIS Plan
Getting SIL included in your NDIS plan requires preparation and the right evidence. Here is a step-by-step guide to the process:
Step 1: Speak with Your Support Coordinator or LAC
Your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator can help you understand whether SIL is the right option for you and guide you through the steps needed to apply for it. A Specialist Support Coordinator is particularly valuable if your needs are complex.
Step 2: Get an Occupational Therapy Assessment
An Occupational Therapist (OT) will conduct a functional assessment to document your support needs. This assessment is one of the most important pieces of evidence for your SIL application and should clearly articulate what you need, why you need it, and how SIL will help you achieve your goals.
Step 3: Find a Registered SIL Provider
You will need to identify a registered SIL provider who has capacity for you and whose living arrangements match your needs and preferences. The provider will develop a SIL quote that outlines the proposed staffing model and costs, which is submitted to the NDIA as part of your plan.
Step 4: Attend Your NDIS Planning Meeting
Bring all your evidence to your NDIS planning meeting — including the OT assessment, the SIL quote, and a clear statement of your housing and living goals. The NDIA planner will review this information and determine the SIL funding to be included in your plan.
Step 5: Transition into Your SIL Arrangement
Once your plan is approved with SIL funding, you will work with your provider to plan the transition into your new home. A good SIL provider will take the time to understand your needs, preferences, and goals before you move in, and will continue to review and improve your support plan over time.
Liberty Health Services: SIL Provider in Queensland
Liberty Health Services is a registered NDIS SIL provider operating across Queensland. We offer a range of SIL properties and support arrangements for participants with varying needs, including sole occupancy options, shared accommodation, and SDA-registered homes.
Our SIL team includes Registered Nurses, experienced support workers, and dedicated care coordinators who work together to deliver safe, respectful, and person-centred support. We collaborate closely with support coordinators, families, and the NDIA to ensure that every person in our care receives the right level of support to thrive.
If you are interested in SIL with Liberty Health Services or would like to explore our available properties, visit our SIL page or contact our team directly. We are happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process.
Conclusion
Supported Independent Living is a life-changing NDIS support that enables people with significant disability to live in the community with the daily assistance they need. Understanding eligibility, how funding works, and how to navigate the application process is essential for anyone exploring this option. With the right preparation, support team, and provider, SIL can open the door to a more independent, connected, and fulfilling life.
