Shared SIL or Individual SIL: Which Suits?
Most people with SIL share a home and their support workers with other participants, for example one worker supporting 2 residents. The NDIA funds individual, one-to-one SIL only in some situations, such as life-threatening health needs that need constant monitoring. If you'd rather live alone or with people who aren't participants, other home and living supports may suit you better.
How Does Shared SIL Work?
You share support workers with housemates, at a ratio that fits everyone's needs through the day.
The NDIA works out the hours you need support at home, then the ratio: how many workers and how many people they support. A ratio describes the funding. It doesn't stop you and your provider organising support flexibly, as long as it stays within the plan.
| Arrangement | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| 1 worker to 2 residents | One support worker supports you and one housemate |
| 2 workers to 4 residents | Two support workers share support across four housemates |
| 1 to 1 | One worker just for you, funded in some situations |
When Does the NDIA Fund Individual SIL?
When you can't share support because of your disability support needs.
- Disability-related health needs that are life-threatening or need constant monitoring, like seizures that need someone with you at all times
- Frequent, long-term behaviours of concern that put you or others at risk
- A condition that's changing quickly with support needs increasing, such as a progressive condition likely to need 24 hour support within 6 to 12 months
Most people don't need 24 hour individual support. Individual SIL may combine your home and living budget with funding for community activities.
Looking for SIL Support?
We'll connect you with a registered SIL provider who may have support or a vacancy that suits.
What If You Want to Live Alone?
SIL is possible, but the NDIA often looks at other supports first.
The NDIA says other home and living supports may suit you better if you live alone and SIL doesn't meet your needs. Options include personal care at set times through assistance with daily life, individualised living options, or, for people eligible for SDA, an SDA apartment with onsite shared support for unplanned help.
What If You Want to Live With Family or a Partner?
It's your choice who you live with. The support you get depends on your needs.
If you live with people who aren't participants and don't need SIL, the NDIA will look at personal care supports or individualised living options, which can include a host or housemate arrangement.
Questions People Ask
Is shared SIL cheaper than individual SIL?
Sharing support usually costs the plan less per person, and the NDIA has to weigh value for money. But funding is always based on your own support needs.
Do I have to share my support worker?
Not necessarily. The ratio describes your funding, and you can work with your provider to use your supports flexibly within your plan.
Can I choose my housemates?
Yes. The NDIA's guideline says it's your choice who you live with and who you share your supports with.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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