SIL Accommodation: Where People Live With SIL
SIL accommodation is the home where someone receives supported independent living. The NDIS doesn't fund the home itself, except specialist disability accommodation (SDA), so most SIL is delivered in ordinary rented houses and units shared by 2 or more participants. Residents pay rent to the landlord, and the SIL provider supplies the support workers under a separate agreement.
What Kinds of Homes Have SIL?
Mostly ordinary houses and units, shared with other NDIS participants. Some are SDA homes, and some people get SIL in a home they rent or own themselves.
| Arrangement | Who provides the home | Who pays for it |
|---|---|---|
| Shared rental house or unit | A private landlord, community housing, or a provider that leases the home | Residents pay rent from their own income |
| SDA home with SIL | A registered SDA provider | SDA funding in the plan plus a capped rent contribution from the resident |
| The person's own home | The person or their family, renting or owning | The person, as for anyone else |
The NDIA says it can't fund housing, other than SDA. State and territory governments are responsible for helping people find accessible, affordable housing, including social and community housing.
Do SIL Providers Own the Houses?
Some do, some lease homes, and some only provide the support in a home someone else owns.
When the SIL provider also provides the housing, the NDIS Practice Standards for SIL say there must be separate service and tenancy agreements. The provider has to explain that the two are legally separate and that one doesn't depend on the other, and it must have a written policy on managing that conflict of interest.
Looking for SIL Support?
We'll connect you with a registered SIL provider who may have support or a vacancy that suits.
Can You Change SIL Provider and Keep the Home?
That's the intention of the rules. You have the right to change your SIL provider, in whole or in part, at any time during your tenancy.
The SIL Practice Standards say participants shouldn't lose their housing over support-related issues, and providers have to take reasonable steps so you aren't disadvantaged in your housing when you change your support. In a shared home the other residents' arrangements matter too, so talk it through early. Our guide to changing SIL provider covers the steps.
What Should You Look for in SIL Accommodation?
The right housemates, the right location, and clear agreements, as much as the house itself.
- Who you'd live with, and whether you'd get on. Providers must consult current residents before a new tenant moves in
- Whether the home suits your physical needs, or whether you need SDA or home modifications
- How close it is to family, friends, work and the things you do
- Your own room, keys and private space, and how shared spaces are used
- What the rent and household costs are, in writing
- How support is rostered, including overnight
Is SIL Accommodation the Same as a Group Home?
Not quite. Group home is an older term for shared supported housing. SIL is the support funding, and it can be delivered in many kinds of home.
Under the NDIS, the home and the support are separate. You choose who you live with and who provides your support, and your housing rights don't depend on your support provider.
Questions People Ask
Does the NDIS pay for SIL accommodation?
No. SIL pays for support workers. The NDIS only funds housing through SDA, for people who are eligible for it. Residents pay their own rent.
How many people live in a SIL house?
There's no set number. The NDIA's guideline says it's your choice how many people you share your home with, and gives examples of 2 or 4 residents sharing support workers.
Can I get SIL in my own home?
Yes, if SIL is in your plan and a registered SIL provider can deliver it there. SIL is funded on your support needs, not the type of home.
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.
- 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.
- Rent and costs in SILWhat people living with SIL pay themselves: rent, food, utilities and household items.
- 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.
- 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.
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