What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL) Under the NDIS?

SIL funds the support workers in your home: not the home itself. It covers the cost of the people who assist you with daily tasks: personal care, cooking, cleaning, medication management, overnight support and anything else you need help with to live independently.

SIL does not pay for your rent or utilities. If you need the home itself to be specially built or modified, that's covered by a separate NDIS support called Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

SIL is most commonly delivered in a shared house, where two to four participants each have their own SIL funding and share support workers (at least for some parts of the day). Living in a shared house generally means more social interaction and a more cost-effective use of funding.

Individual SIL arrangements, where a single participant has their own home with dedicated support, are also possible, but require a higher level of NDIS funding. These are typically reserved for participants with very high or complex support needs.

SIL funding is not included in your standard NDIS plan automatically. Your provider submits a SIL quote to the NDIA based on your assessed support needs. The NDIA reviews and approves the quote, and funding is then included in your plan. Your support coordinator plays a central role in this process.

Consistent support workers: SIL works best when you have the same team, not strangers on rotation.

Real compatibility assessment: a good provider thinks carefully about who lives together in a shared home.

Clinical capability: if you have health needs, make sure the provider can manage them.

Communication: the provider should keep your family and support coordinator informed.

Registered NDIS provider: this means they've been independently audited against the NDIS Practice Standards.

First Priority Care has SIL arrangements across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Redlands. Visit our SIL Vacancies page or call 1800 402 205 to discuss current availability.