Supported Independent Living (SIL) Guides
Plain-English guides to supported independent living (SIL) for participants, families and support coordinators. Each one is checked against the NDIA's SIL guideline, the NDIS pricing schedule and the NDIS Commission's SIL Practice Standards and registration rules, and links to them.
SIL Explained
- What is SIL?Supported independent living (SIL) under the NDIS explained: who it's for, what support workers help with, what it doesn't pay for, and how shared SIL works.
- SIL eligibilityWho is eligible for supported independent living (SIL) under the NDIS: the support needs the NDIA looks for, the age rule, the evidence used and if it's a no.
- How SIL funding worksHow SIL funding works: hours of support, ratios, standard or high intensity, overnight support, irregular support days and how the pricing schedule sets limits.
- SIL accommodationSIL accommodation explained: the homes people live in with supported independent living, who owns them, who pays rent, and how tenancy and support stay apart.
- Living in a SIL houseWhat a SIL house is, what living in a shared SIL home is like day to day, how support is shared between housemates, and the house rules and rights that apply.
- Rent and costs in SILWhat people living with SIL pay themselves: rent, food, utilities and household items. What the NDIS covers, what it doesn't, and what to get in writing first.
- SIL providersWhat a SIL provider does, why every SIL provider must now be registered with the NDIS Commission, the standards they follow and how to check one before signing.
- Finding a SIL vacancyHow to find a supported independent living (SIL) vacancy: what providers need to know, what to have ready, where vacancies are listed and how to judge the fit.
- SIL vs SDA vs ILOSIL, SDA and ILO compared from the support side: what each one funds, who it's for, how they combine, and which to ask about when you need help to live at home.
Step-by-Step Guides
- How to get SIL fundingHow to ask for supported independent living (SIL) in an NDIS plan: the three steps, the evidence that helps, where to send it, and what to do if it's a no.
- The SIL roster of careWhat a SIL roster of care is, what goes in it, who writes it, whether the NDIA needs it, and how it relates to SIL funding and so-called SIL quotes.
- Choosing a SIL providerHow to choose a SIL provider: check registration, then ask about staff, rostering, overnight support, housemates, agreements and what happens if it goes wrong.
- Moving into SILWhat to sort out before moving into a SIL home: the service agreement, the tenancy agreement, house rules, your rights at home and what if you need to leave.
- Changing SIL providerHow to change SIL provider: talk to them first, check your notice period, line up a registered provider, keep your home, and what if yours didn't register.
- Shared or individual SILShared SIL versus individual SIL: how support ratios work, when the NDIA funds one-to-one support, and the options if you'd rather live alone or with family.
Ready to Look for SIL Support?
Free and independent. About two minutes.