SIL vs ILO Under the NDIS: What's the Difference?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding for the support staff in your home. It is most commonly used in shared homes where two to four participants live together, each with their own SIL funding, sharing support workers (at least for parts of the day). SIL can also be delivered individually.

SIL is well-suited to participants who need structured, regular support throughout the day and night: people with higher support needs who benefit from a consistent staffed model. SIL requires the NDIA to approve a specific funding amount based on your assessed support needs, and it is usually managed by a registered NDIS provider.

Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a newer, more flexible approach that puts the participant at the centre of designing where and how they live. Rather than fitting into a standard support model, ILO involves an exploration process to figure out the best possible arrangement for that specific person.

ILO might involve living with a host household (an unrelated family who provides support), co-residency with a paid support worker, independent living with drop-in support, or a combination of several arrangements across the week. The key is that the arrangement is built around the participant's preferences, relationships and goals, not around an existing service model.

Flexibility: ILO is more flexible. SIL is more structured. SIL works within an established care model; ILO is designed around you.

Support needs: SIL tends to suit participants with higher or more complex support needs. ILO often works better for people with moderate needs who want more autonomy.

Process: SIL requires a quote and approval from the NDIA for a specific support model. ILO starts with an exploration phase, then an option development and design phase before funding is finalised.

Staffing: SIL uses formal disability support workers from a registered provider. ILO can include paid workers, host households, informal supports and family, in various combinations.

Ask yourself: how much support do you need each day? Do you have strong relationships or preferences about who supports you and how? Are you looking for structure and predictability, or flexibility and autonomy? There is no single right answer, and it's worth having an honest conversation with your support coordinator about what will actually work best for your life.

First Priority Care provides both SIL and ILO support across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Redlands. Call 1800 402 205 to talk through your situation.