What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a funded NDIS support that helps participants with higher support needs to live as independently as possible in their own home. It provides regular, ongoing assistance or supervision with daily tasks, such as personal care, meal preparation, household chores and travel, while helping you build life skills. SIL is commonly delivered in shared accommodation with other NDIS participants, but can also be provided in your own home if it best meets your needs.

You may be eligible for SIL if you:

  • Require daily support throughout the day and often overnight (24/7 assistance)
  • Cannot be safely or sustainably supported only by family or friends
  • Have a functional assessment showing significant impacts on your ability to live independently.

What SIL funding covers

SIL funding cannot be used for rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries or any other day-to-day living expenses that fall outside of support provision.

Supported Independent Living funding can be used for:

  • Personal care (e.g. showering, dressing)
  • Meal planning, cooking and household tasks
  • Accessing community and social activities
  • Assistance with travel to work, appointments and errands
  • Skill-building exercises to increase independence.

How SIL differs from Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA):

  • SIL pays for the supports you receive in your home.
  • SDA pays for the physical home modifications or purpose-built housing.

You may need both SIL and SDA to live safely and comfortably, but each has its own budget line in your NDIS plan.

How SIL funding is determined

  1. An Occupational Therapist (OT) or psychologist completes a Functional Capacity Assessment to detail your support needs. (TIP: You can complete your WHODAS and other questionnaires in the YOPX app and email it to them to help prepare for your meeting).
  2. Your SIL provider drafts a Roster of Care (ROC), outlining the exact hours of support required across a 24-hour period.
  3. You submit the ROC plus any other supporting evidence (e.g. relevant reports from your care team OT, GP, and the surveys and check-ins completed and exported from the YOPX app) to the NDIA to demonstrate that SIL is “reasonable and necessary.”
  4. The NDIA reviews your evidence and the provider quote. If approved, SIL funding is included under “Assistance in Daily Life” in your Core supports.

SIL and single parents with children at home

All SIL workers undergo Working with Children checks and NDIS screening, so they’re cleared to work in family homes. Being a single parent with children adds layers of responsibility, and SIL can help you juggle both your disability support and parenting role:

  • Flexible rostering means support workers can arrive at times that fit your children’s routines (school drop-off, homework, bedtime).
  • Overnight SIL can ensure you have safe, uninterrupted access to personal care and help if you awake in an “off” state, are in pain, suffer an RBD or freezing episode.
  • Daytime SIL support can include assistance with cooking, household chores and medication management, freeing you to focus on your children’s needs.
  • Builds your skills and confidence in both self-care and household management.

Role of a Support Coordinator
If you have SIL, your plan should include a support coordinator who:

  • Helps you find and engage the right SIL provider
  • Works with you and the provider to develop your ROC
  • Submits change-of-circumstances forms if your support needs change
  • Ensures services align with your goals and NDIS requirements.

Applying for SIL
Now that you know what to expect, speak with your GP, allied health professionals on your care team or local area coordinator about a Functional Capacity Assessment. Then, work with your support coordinator to gather evidence and a ROC. Once you have all your supporting evidence, submit your request through the NDIA, who will assess your plan against the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. Once approved, begin receiving SIL supports as outlined in your plan.

n.b. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is co-designing new Practice Standards for SIL to ensure supports are participant-centred, safe and respect your rights and privacy. These updated standards are due for release following extensive consultation with participants, providers and expert.

 

This information is general advice and to be used as a guide only. You will need to seek advice from NDIS and your care team to assess your eligibility for SIL or any other supports relevant to your plan.

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