Supported Independent Living

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a  core support that funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). NDIS participants who meet the relevant criteria, receive funding for day-to-day assistance in a supported living environment. NDIS SIL accommodation refers to shared or individual living arrangements where participants receive tailored, 24/7 support. This support includes personal care, daily tasks, skill development, household activities, therapy access, and community participation.

SIL services can be delivered in your own home or within a shared supported accommodation setting. This will depend on your goals, support needs, and what’s included in your NDIS plan. The aim of SIL is to promote autonomy, build life skills, and empower individuals to live as independently as possible.

At Maple Community Services, we provide safe, accessible, and welcoming NDIS SIL housing options across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia. Our disability accommodation meets a wide range of support needs, lifestyle preferences, and funding plans. Whether you’re looking for short wait times or long-term placements, we have SIL homes with no waitlists, tailored to your needs.

At Maple Community Services, we’re more than just an NDIS SIL provider—we’re your partner in creating a life that’s independent, fulfilling, and entirely your own. Our person-centred approach means we put your choices, goals, and lifestyle preferences first. Every step of the way.

We’re proud to turn around new referrals in less than one week, and place Supported Independent Living participants across Australia within 24 hours where a suitable vacancy exists. We understand that finding the right home is not just a priority but a necessity. Our streamlined intake and placement process, combined with a wide network of trusted providers, enables us to secure the right SIL accommodation quickly and efficiently.

The NDIS funds several types of home and living supports depending on your needs, including:

• Supported Independent Living (SIL): Help with daily tasks like personal care or cooking, usually in a shared home setting.
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Specialized physical housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
• Individualised Living Options (ILO): Flexible funding that lets you design a living arrangement that suits you (e.g., living with a host, housemates, or on your own with tailored support).
• Short Term Accommodation (STA) & Respite: Temporary accommodation and support, usually for up to 14 days at a time.
• Medium Term Accommodation (MTA): Temporary housing for up to 90 days while you wait for a long-term home solution.
• Home Modifications: Structural changes to your home (like ramps or accessible bathrooms) to help you move around safely.

In Australia, Supported Independent Living is available to NDIS participants who require ongoing support to live more independently. SIL is typically suited to people with moderate to high support needs, including those with intellectual, physical, or psychosocial disabilities. While SIL and SDA are most commonly approved for individuals with higher levels of disability, those with milder disabilities may also be eligible, depending on their circumstances.

To access SIL funding, the NDIS must determine that the support is reasonable and necessary based on your individual goals, daily living challenges, and functional capacity. Eligibility is assessed as part of your NDIS plan, and typically includes participants who need regular assistance with personal care, household tasks, and community participation.

SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds the support. This includes the people who help with daily life, personal care, overnight assistance, and skill building.

SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) is the housing itself, designed for people with significant physical or functional needs. While SDA covers the physical living space, it operates separately from your day-to-day personal supports. 

You can be funded for one or both, depending on your NDIS plan. Not everyone needs SDA, but if you do, Maple has SDA partnerships across Australia so we can coordinate both under one roof.

Not sure what your plan includes? We’ll review it with you and explain exactly what you’re funded for.

SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds the people who support you at home — your support workers, their training, and the day-to-day assistance they provide. That includes personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, overnight support, and skill building.

What SIL doesn’t cover: rent, groceries, utilities, or personal expenses like clothing. Those come out of your own pocket or other funding sources.

At Maple, we explain exactly what your SIL funding includes before you sign anything — no surprises in your service agreement. If something isn’t covered, we’ll tell you upfront and help you explore other options.

Yes, your preferences matter, and we take them seriously.

You can be involved in choosing housemates that are a good fit for your lifestyle, routines, and support needs. At Maple, we go beyond just matching on paper. We look at personality, communication style, cultural background, and daily rhythms to find a home where you’ll genuinely feel comfortable.

On location, we have homes across NSW, VIC, QLD, and WA, and we’ll always try to place you in the area that works for your life, close to family, community, or wherever matters most to you.

The process typically takes between four and twelve weeks from your initial conversation to moving in, depending on housing availability, housemate compatibility, and NDIS funding confirmation.

At Maple, we move faster than most. We acknowledge every referral within 2 hours and average 5 business days from referral to service commencement. We handle the documentation and funding checks — you won’t be chasing us.

The best thing you can do is start the conversation early, even if your funding isn’t finalised yet. The sooner we understand your needs, the faster we can match you to the right home.

SIL is not permanent — it’s reviewed when your NDIS plan is reviewed, typically every 12 months. If your needs change between reviews, you can request a plan review sooner.

This is actually a good thing. It means your support can grow with you. If you build skills and need less support over time, your plan adjusts. If your needs increase, we work with you to make the case for increased funding.

At Maple, we stay involved at every plan review — helping you document progress, gather evidence, and ensure your next plan reflects where you actually are, not just where you were.

The main goal of the application process for a Supported Independent Living program is to determine your needs for services. As such, you will need to be as involved as possible. After all, no one knows your needs better than you.

Many factors go into the evaluation of what is necessary and reasonable support in each specific case. The NDIS considers your or your loved one’s:

• current situation
• goals for the future
• current skills
• ability to improve skills
• current non-paid supports, such as from friends and family
• reports and assessments gathered from medical and therapy providers

The NDIS relies on evidence and advice from Allied Health Professionals to determine if a participant is eligible for SIL or SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) funding. The areas that health professionals must address are the following:

• The significant impact of the participant’s disability on their mobility, self care, and cognition.
• The type of housing that would be appropriate for the participant
• The other types of supports required for the participant to achieve their housing goals

SIL or supported independent living is a type of NDIS-funded support that helps participants with daily tasks so they can live as independently as possible in shared or individual living arrangements. Supports may include help with cooking, cleaning, personal care, medication, and more, typically delivered in a shared home with other participants.

On the other hand, complex care refers to support for people with high or complex needs, often involving medical conditions, behavioural challenges, or disability-related health supports like enteral feeding, tracheostomy care, epilepsy management, or behaviours of concern. These services are usually provided by support workers trained in High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA), nurses, or multidisciplinary teams.

Some people may receive both SIL and Complex Care if they have high support needs in a supported living environment.

Not all providers are created equal and finding one that aligns with your needs and values truly makes all the difference. Here’s what to look for:

1. Experience with Your Specific Needs

Some providers specialise in autism, psychosocial disability, complex medical care, or youth supports. Ask:

• Have they worked with others with similar needs?
• Are their staff trained in high-intensity supports?
• Do they use evidence-based approaches like Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

2. 24/7 Support and Crisis Management

If you have Complex Care needs, reliable 24/7 coverage and fast response to emergencies is non-negotiable. Ask:

• How do they manage after-hours support?
• What’s their emergency protocol?
• Do they offer on-call or clinical support?

3. Qualified, Consistent Staff

Continuity of care is crucial, especially when building trust or managing medical or behavioural complexities.

• Do they invest in staff training and retention?
• Are support workers matched based on your personality and preferences?
• Is there a clinical team involved if needed (e.g., registered nurses, OTs, PBS practitioners)?

4. Collaborative and Transparent Planning

The best providers build with you, not for you. They should:

• Involve you in support planning decisions
• Communicate openly with you and your support network
• Provide reports and data to track progress

5. Home Environment and Compatibility

For SIL in particular, the home matters just as much as the supports.

• Does your provider care about matching you with compatible housemates? As opposed to putting you in any home, even if you don’t get along with the other people living there.
• Is the home safe, accessible, and located near your community or family?
• Can you bring your own belongings and personalise your space?

6. NDIS Compliance and Quality Assurance

Always check:

• Are they a registered NDIS provider?
• Do they follow NDIS Practice Standards?
• Have they passed audits or received complaints?

When meeting with a SIL or Complex Care provider, getting the important questions answered straight away can give you an idea of what to expect. And, ensures transparency from the beginning. We recommend asking:

• How will you support me to achieve my goals?
• What training do your staff have?
• How do you manage medication and high-risk supports?
• How do you promote independence and dignity?
• What happens if a support worker doesn’t show up?
• Can I meet other housemates before I move in?

Not every provider will be the right fit. Be cautious if:

• You’re not included in decision-making
• Staff turnover is high and you’re frequently meeting new workers
• You feel rushed, dismissed, or unheard
• There’s a lack of transparency in funding or support delivery
• The home environment doesn’t feel safe or welcoming

You always have the right to change providers if your current arrangement isn’t working. You are entitled to and deserve the best care possible. Although speaking up can be daunting, you’ll be grateful for it in the long run.

1. Find The Right SIL Provider

Unfortunately, not all providers have immediate availability or the right supports in place to place a participant within the ideal timeframe. In some cases, you could be waiting days for the first response, in other cases you can start the process but the provider experiences delays finding a home. It’s best to go with a Provider that has the capacity to take on your participant at any time. We suggest:

• Looking for providers with proven capacity. If you’re not sure, ask about vacancies and wait times upfront.
• Ensuring they can meet specific needs (e.g., 24/7 support, complex care).
• Checking their track record—how fast do they usually place participants?
• Asking for client testimonials or case studies to assess their reliability.

Tip: Work with providers who specialise in urgent placements if time is critical.

2. Have All Documents Ready Before Applying

Getting all your documents prepared is usually the biggest obstacle to a speedy placement. We understand these situations can be unpredictable and it’s not always realistic to have everything on hand. We suggest creating a folder with all the relevant SIL or SDA documentation, after reading this – so you are ready when the time comes:

• NDIS Plan – Ensure funding is approved and matches SIL/SDA requirements.
• Occupational Therapy Assessment – Outlining support needs and living requirements.
• Functional Capacity & Psychosocial Reports – To justify funding and care levels.
• Support Coordinator Case Notes – Summarising the participant’s needs and goals.

Please make sure to double-check the dates on all reports and documents – reports older than 12 months may not be accepted.

Tip: Providers often process applications faster when all documents are submitted upfront.

3. A Smooth Transition Requires Preparation

Here are some tips to encouraging a smooth transition, emotionally:

• Involving the participant in decision-making – Let them visit homes, meet housemates, and encourage them to be open and honest about how they are feeling. If time is of the essence, you can still give the participant these opportunities by touring the home or meeting housemates virtually.
• Easing concerns – Remind them these feelings are completely normal and valid. Address their worries and provide as much information on new routines, support staff, or house rules, so they don’t feel blindsided or overwhelmed by the unknown.
• Helping them feel in control – Provide clear timelines and let them set preferences for their living environment.

4. Maintain Strong Communication & Fast Response Times

SIL placement moves quickly when everyone is responsive. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Keep all support systems informed, every step of the way. – The participant, providers, support coordinator, allied health teams, family, and NDIS planners, there are a lot of people involved. It can make a huge difference if you keep them informed at every step of the transition process so they can prepare and adjust accordingly.
• Reply to emails and calls quickly – SIL providers can only move as quickly as they are receiving all the information and required responses.
• Assign a main point of contact – Participants have incredible support systems made of so many people. If there is someone you prefer to be the main point of contact, please make that clear from the get go.
• Set clear follow-up deadlines – Confirm next steps with the provider at every stage.

At Maple, we take a proactive approach to emergency preparedness, ensuring that every home, staff member, and participant knows exactly what to do if an emergency arises. A professional, well-prepared SIL home should have an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan tailored to the specific environment, risks, and needs of each participant.

Here’s what our includes:

1. Risk Assessment for the Area

Each home’s plan starts with understanding local risks. For example:

• Storms and flooding: Common in coastal or low-lying regions.
• Bushfires: Higher risk in rural or dry areas.
• Power outages: More frequent during heatwaves or after storms.
• Home fire hazards: Kitchen appliances, heaters, or electrical faults.

2. Personalised Emergency Plans for Each Participant

Every participant’s needs are different, so emergency plans must be individualised. This includes:

• Communication preferences (visual aids, easy-read plans, plain language, or technology-assisted).
• Mobility support (ensuring safe evacuation routes and assistance).
• Medication and medical equipment management.
• Key contacts including family, support coordinators, and emergency services.

3. Clear Roles for Support Workers and Staff

During an emergency, confusion can cause delays. A good plan assigns clear responsibilities:

• Who calls emergency services
• Who assists participants during evacuation
• Who gathers medications and essential items
• Who checks rooms and ensures everyone is accounted for

At Maple, our staff complete regular emergency response training, including first aid, fire safety, and evacuation procedures, to ensure they can act confidently under pressure.

4. Regular Drills and Familiarisation

Practising emergency procedures helps reduce anxiety when a real event occurs.

Participants are walked through what to expect in different scenarios, using calm, supportive language and visual prompts.

Regular drills might include:

• Evacuation practice for fire or flood
• “Shelter in place” procedures for severe storms
• Knowing where emergency kits and exits are located

5. Emergency Kits and Supplies

Every SIL home should have a fully stocked emergency kit that’s easy to access and regularly checked.

Essential items include:

• First aid kit and emergency medications
• Flashlights, batteries, and portable chargers
• Bottled water and non-perishable food
• Copies of emergency contact lists and participant information
• Blankets, masks, and hand sanitiser

6. Communication During Emergencies

When an emergency happens, staying connected is critical. Maple’s emergency plans include multiple communication method.  We send mobile alerts and use WhatsApp group messaging, visual cue cards and emergency boards for participants with non-verbal communication needs.

If mobile networks go down, staff are trained to use alternate contact points or evacuation meeting locations pre-agreed upon with local emergency services.

7. Recovery and Support After an Event

Emergencies don’t end when the storm passes. After any event, Maple staff check in with participants to ensure emotional wellbeing, assess any property or equipment damage, and support continuity of daily routines.

If trauma or anxiety occurs, we connect participants with psychosocial or behavioural support specialists to rebuild confidence and return to normal activities safely.

1. Core Budgets Are Being Rapidly Consumed

If extended 1:1 or 2:1 support is required daily, Core funding may deplete quickly. A structured SIL model can sometimes provide a more sustainable allocation of funded supports. If you’re unsure whether funding is aligned, our NDIS Support Calculator can help sense-check feasibility.

2. Increasing Behavioural or Safety Risks

Escalating behaviours of concern or increased safeguarding risks may indicate the need for a more structured support environment. At Maple, our Complex Support services are delivered within defined behaviour management frameworks to ensure consistency and safety.

3. Repeated Service Instability

Frequent staff changes, cancelled shifts or provider withdrawals often signal that the current support arrangement is not sustainable. Our intake process assesses staffing depth, compatibility and environmental suitability before confirming any commencement.

4. Social Isolation Despite High Support Hours

High levels of in-home support do not always translate to improved community participation. For some participants, a shared SIL environment can offer structured routines and social engagement opportunities.