Supported Independent Living (SIL) helps people with disabilities manage daily tasks and live as independently as possible. A home gives you a place to live, and Supported Independent Living (SIL) helps you live in it your way. The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funds it for eligible participants who need regular support or supervision at home.
SIL can provide assistance with daily life, help with meal preparation, household tasks, and developing independent living skills. Depending on individual needs, support workers may also provide supervision throughout the day and overnight.
SIL isn’t a one-size-fits-all package, though. It doesn’t cover everyday living costs like rent or groceries. It’s only included in an NDIS plan when a participant’s needs call for it.
This guide explains what types of support are provided under Supported Independent Living, what SIL excludes, who is eligible, and who can access it. Let’s start.
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living is an NDIS-funded support that assists people with disabilities to manage daily activities in their home. It is designed for people who need ongoing support or supervision to live safely and develop greater independence.
SIL is commonly provided in shared homes where participants live with other people with disabilities. Support workers may assist several residents at once or provide individual support when required.
The level of assistance depends on each participant's disability-related needs. Some people need help with specific daily tasks. Others require more frequent supervision and personal care.
SIL funding covers the support workers who help participants at home. It does not pay for the home itself or ordinary living expenses such as rent and groceries.
What Types Of Support Are Provided Under Supported Independent Living?
SIL typically covers different types of assistance based on a participant's needs and approved NDIS funding. Main types of supports are:
◼ Personal Care and Assistance with Daily Activities
Personal care is an important part of SIL for participants who need assistance with everyday routines. Support workers may help with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, and other personal activities.
The level of assistance varies from person to person. Some participants need hands-on help. Others only require reminders or supervision.
◼ Meal Preparation and Household Tasks
SIL can include assistance with preparing meals, cleaning, laundry, and maintaining a comfortable living environment. Support workers may also help participants learn how to complete these tasks themselves.
For example, a support worker might teach someone how to prepare a simple meal or organize their laundry. These activities can help build practical skills and increase independence over time.
◼ Medication Management and Personal Safety
Some participants need reminders or assistance to manage their medication routines. SIL support workers may also help them follow agreed support arrangements and maintain a safe home environment.
The type of assistance depends on the participant's needs and the worker's training and responsibilities.
◼ Building Independent Living Skills
SIL is not just about completing daily tasks for someone. It also aims to help participants improve the life skills they need to manage their lives more independently.
This may involve learning how to cook, follow a daily routine, maintain personal hygiene, or manage household responsibilities. Support workers can encourage participants to make their own decisions and gradually take on tasks they can manage safely.
◼ Behavior Support and Social Skills
Participants who need help following an established behavior support plan may receive relevant assistance through SIL. Support workers can also help them practice communication, develop social skills and manage everyday interactions.
The aim is to support the participant's wellbeing, safety and independence. Any assistance must align with their individual needs and applicable behavior support requirements.
◼ Supervision and Overnight Support
Some participants need supervision throughout the day and night to remain safe at home. SIL can fund support arrangements that include overnight assistance, depending on the participant's assessed needs.
For example, someone may need a support worker available overnight because they require regular assistance or supervision. The exact arrangement may involve active overnight support or a sleepover arrangement, depending on their needs.
◼ Help With Appointments and Community Access
SIL can include certain support for outside activities like attending medical appointments or visiting family and friends. However, it is not intended to replace regular community participation and transport support, employment or study support.
The type of assistance provided depends on the activity and the participant's funding arrangements. Other NDIS support categories may be more appropriate for regular community access.
Things That Supported Independent Living Doesn’t Cover
SIL covers disability-related support at home, but it does not pay for every expense associated with independent living.
◻ Rent and Household Bills
Participants are generally responsible for their own rent, groceries, electricity, water, internet, and other everyday living expenses. SIL funding cannot be used to pay these costs.
Participants may receive disability-related assistance with household budgeting or managing bill payments when this falls within their approved support. This assistance does not cover the bills themselves.
◻ Housing Costs
SIL does not cover the cost of purchasing or renting a home. Eligible participants may receive separate funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) if they meet the relevant criteria.
◻ Medical and Nursing Services
Medical treatment and clinical nursing care are generally funded through appropriate health services rather than SIL. The funding arrangements depend on the type of service and the participant's needs. If a participant's plan includes nursing support, it can be delivered separately through in-home nursing care.
◻ Work, Study and Community Activities
SIL is not intended to cover all support needed outside the home. Assistance with employment, education and regular community participation may need to be funded through other appropriate NDIS supports.
Who Is Eligible for Supported Independent Living Under the NDIS?
Not every NDIS participant qualifies for Supported Independent Living. It is designed for people who need extensive support. The NDIS decides on a case-by-case basis whether it is reasonable and necessary for the person’s disability-related needs.
The eligibility criteria include:
✔ Must be an NDIS participant
SIL is only available to people who already have an NDIS plan. It cannot be accessed outside the scheme, and it must be included in the plan before it can be used.
✔ Must be an adult
SIL is generally for participants aged 18 and over. For participants under 18, the NDIS usually considers other support and living arrangements.
✔ Must have higher support needs
SIL is aimed at people who need significant, ongoing help at home, such as personal care or household tasks. The level of support must go beyond what occasional help can provide.
✔ Must need support because of disability
The support must relate directly to the participant’s disability. General lifestyle preferences or convenience are not enough to qualify.
✔ Must show SIL is reasonable and necessary
The NDIS checks that SIL is a fair and effective way to meet the person’s needs. It also considers whether the support represents value for money.
✔ Must show other supports are not enough
The NDIS considers the participant's disability-related support needs, existing living arrangements, informal supports (family and friends), and available alternatives when assessing a SIL request. SIL is considered when these cannot meet the person’s needs safely or sustainably.
✔ Must have goals that fit
SIL is more likely to be approved where it supports the participant’s goals, such as living more independently or moving into a shared home. These goals are discussed with the planner as part of the plan.
How to Access Supported Independent Living Support?
Getting SIL starts with a clear picture of the support you need and the home life you want. The steps involved are given below:
☑ Understand your needs and goals
Start by thinking through your daily support needs and the living arrangement you would like. This gives you a clear starting point for discussions with the NDIS.
☑ Talk to your NDIS contact
Discuss your options with your NDIS planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. They can explain whether SIL may suit you and how to request it in your plan.
☑ Provide supporting information
You may need to share information about your disability, the help you need at home and how your current arrangements meet those needs. The NDIS uses this to assess whether SIL is appropriate.
☑ Choose a provider
If SIL is approved, you can explore providers and compare the support they offer. Consider their experience, staffing arrangements, approach to independence, and ability to meet your individual needs.
☑ Agree on a service agreement
Before support begins, agree on a service agreement. It shows the service you will receive and how it will be delivered. A service agreement clarifies responsibilities, schedules, and other important details.
☑ Check provider registration
SIL providers must meet the applicable NDIS registration requirements. Providers must be registered or have applied for registration by the required deadline to continue delivering SIL under the applicable arrangements.
Check their current registration status on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website when choosing a provider. If you already receive SIL, confirm that your provider meets the current requirements.
☑ Review as your needs change
Your SIL arrangement is reviewed at plan reassessments, and you can ask for an earlier review if your needs change. If the support isn’t working, you can raise concerns with your provider, switch providers or contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Final Words
Supported Independent Living helps eligible NDIS participants manage day-to-day activities and live as independently as possible. So, what types of support are provided under Supported Independent Living? Depending on their needs, it can support personal care, meal preparation, household assistance, skill development, and supervision.
However, SIL funding covers disability-related support rather than ordinary living expenses. Rent, groceries, and household bills generally remain the participant's responsibility.
If you are considering SIL, start by identifying the support you need and discussing your living goals with your NDIS contact. This can help you understand your eligibility and find an arrangement that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Supported Independent Living
What Does Supported Independent Living Include?
SIL can include personal care, cooking, cleaning, laundry, medication assistance, and independent living skills. Support may also include supervision and overnight assistance.
Does SIL Provide 24-Hour Support?
SIL can fund support across 24 hours, depending on individual needs. This may include daytime assistance, shared support, and overnight supervision, but not necessarily continuous one-to-one care.
Does SIL Cover Rent, Food, and Household Bills?
No. Participants generally pay their own rent, groceries, utilities, and other everyday living expenses.
Can You Receive Supported Independent Living in Your Own Home?
Yes. SIL may be provided in a home you own or rent if the arrangement meets your needs and NDIS funding requirements.
What Is the Difference Between SIL and SDA?
SIL funds assistance with daily activities at home. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funds specialized housing for eligible participants with significant support needs. Some participants may receive both.
Does Supported Independent Living Cover Personal Care?
Yes. SIL can include help with showering, dressing, grooming and toileting. It depends on the participant's needs.
Can You Choose Who You Live With Under SIL?
You can express your preferences about housemates and living arrangements. However, the available options depend on housing availability and compatibility.
How Much Does Supported Independent Living Cost?
In Australia, Supported Independent Living (SIL) costs range from $80,000 to over $400,000 annually. It depends heavily on the level of care a participant requires. For eligible participants, this cost is covered by the NDIS.