What Do You Pay When You Live With SIL?
SIL funding pays for support workers only. Residents pay their own rent, groceries, utilities, phone and internet, usually from the Disability Support Pension or other income. Household items like a bed or fridge are generally the resident's cost too. If the home is SDA, rent is capped by the NDIS; in other homes it's set by the landlord under state tenancy law.
What Does the NDIS Pay, and What Do You Pay?
The NDIS pays for disability-related support. You pay the everyday costs anyone would.
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Support workers in the home | SIL funding in the NDIS plan |
| Rent, board or lodging | The resident |
| Groceries | The resident |
| Gas, electricity, water, phone and internet | The resident |
| Furniture and household items, like a bed or fridge | Generally the resident, though some disability-specific items may be funded as assistive technology |
| Vehicle costs and holidays | The resident |
| Day programs, work or study support | Other NDIS supports in the plan, not SIL |
How Much Is Rent in a SIL House?
It depends on the home. There's no single NDIS rent figure for SIL.
In an ordinary rental, the rent is set by the landlord and the tenancy is covered by your state or territory's tenancy laws. If the home is specialist disability accommodation, the NDIS caps the rent contribution, at 25% of the Disability Support Pension, 25% of the Pension Supplement and any Commonwealth Rent Assistance. Ask the provider which applies and get the figure in writing before you move.
Looking for SIL Support?
We'll connect you with a registered SIL provider who may have support or a vacancy that suits.
How Are Shared Household Costs Split?
It varies by house. Many share groceries and bills between housemates.
Ask how the household budget is worked out, what it covers, how often it's reviewed and how you can see what's been spent. The SIL Practice Standards say your tenancy agreement should be explained in a way you understand, and you should get a signed copy.
Can a Provider Charge You for an Empty Room?
Not through your SIL funding. The NDIA says providers shouldn't increase SIL costs or claim extra from your plan to cover vacancies.
SIL is funded on your support needs, not on how many people live in the house. Rent for an empty room is a matter for the tenancy agreement and tenancy law, so check what your agreement says about vacancies.
What Should Be in Writing Before You Move In?
The rent, what's included, how household costs are shared, and how any of it can change.
- The weekly rent, who it's paid to and how
- Any bond, and the notice for rent increases
- What the household kitty covers, if there is one
- Who pays for repairs, furniture and replacements
- What happens to costs if a housemate moves out
Questions People Ask
Does SIL pay for rent?
No. SIL can't be used for rent, board, lodging or other day-to-day expenses. It only pays for support.
Is there a rent cap for SIL?
Not for SIL itself. The NDIS rent cap applies to SDA homes. In other homes, rent is set under state tenancy law.
Do I have to pay for my support workers' meals?
Not from your SIL funding, and it's worth asking how workers' food is handled in the household budget so it's clear from the start.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy