What Is a SIL House, and What Is Living in One Like?
A SIL house is a home where people with disability live together and share support workers funded through supported independent living (SIL). Each resident usually has their own bedroom and shares the kitchen and living areas. Support workers are rostered on around the clock, including overnight, and help with personal care, meals, household tasks and getting out and about.
How Is Support Shared in a SIL House?
By ratio. The NDIA funds each resident's support needs, and the provider rosters workers across the house.
The NDIA's guideline gives examples: one support worker might support 2 residents, or 2 workers might support 4. Ratios can change through the day, with more workers at busy times like mornings and fewer overnight. If someone needs one-to-one support, the NDIA can fund that as part of their SIL.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
Much like any shared house, with support built around each person's routine.
- Help to get up, shower and dress, if that's needed
- Making breakfast together, or being supported to cook it yourself
- Heading out to work, study, a day program or to see friends, which is usually funded separately from SIL
- Support with medication, appointments, cleaning and washing
- Evenings at home, with a worker on a sleepover or awake overnight, depending on what's funded
SIL is meant to build skills as well as do things for you, so a good house supports people to do as much as they can themselves.
Looking for SIL Support?
We'll connect you with a registered SIL provider who may have support or a vacancy that suits.
What House Rules Apply in a SIL Home?
The rules of the home belong in your tenancy agreement, and they have to respect your rights.
The NDIA's guideline says your tenancy agreement should cover who you live with, how you'll get support, what it costs, how you can change your supports, who can help you use your rights, what to do if there's a problem, and other rules about living in your home.
The SIL Practice Standards add that you should have keys to the house, control who enters your private space, have a say in how shared spaces are used, and have visitors without unnecessary restrictions. Limits on your access or belongings are only allowed under a behaviour support plan, and then in the least restrictive way.
Who Decides Who Moves In?
The provider fills vacancies, but residents have to be consulted first.
The SIL Practice Standards require providers to consult the residents affected before placing a new tenant, and to match people with housemates they feel safe living with. Your service agreement should say how vacancies are filled and how conflicts between housemates are managed.
What If It Isn't Working?
Raise it with the provider first. If that doesn't fix it, you can change providers or complain to the NDIS Commission.
Providers must have a way for you to raise concerns about your support or tenancy without fear of retribution, and help you reach an advocate or legal service if you need one. You can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544.
Questions People Ask
What does SIL house mean?
A home where residents share support workers funded through supported independent living. The house itself is usually rented, and the support comes from a registered SIL provider.
Do you get your own room in a SIL house?
Usually, yes. Each resident normally has their own bedroom and shares common areas. Ask the provider before you commit.
Can I have visitors in a SIL house?
Yes. The SIL Practice Standards say your service agreement should explain how you can have visitors, safely and without unnecessary restrictions.
Do SIL houses have staff overnight?
Yes. SIL includes overnight support, either a sleepover worker or an awake worker, depending on residents' needs.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy