Can Couples or Friends Live Together in a SIL Home?
When you picture your ideal living situation, chances are feeling at home plays a big part. And for many NDIS participants, that means sharing a home with someone they know and trust. Whether that be a partner, a close friend, or maybe even a sibling.
So the question is: Can you live with someone who isn’t an NDIS participant in a SIL home? The short answer is yes, it’s possible. But, there are a few important things to understand first. Let’s walk through it, together.
What Is Supported Independent Living, Really?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Australia is all about helping you live independently. With support workers on hand to assist with things like personal care, cooking, routines, medication, and more. It’s designed for people who need regular or 24/7 assistance in a shared or individual home.
SIL doesn’t cover your rent, groceries, or furniture. The NDIS doesn’t provide funding for the property or running of the home itself, but rather the support services inside the home.
Living With a Partner or Friend in SIL: Is It Allowed?
Yes, you can absolutely live with someone you love or trust in a SIL home, even if they’re not an NDIS participant. It’s most common for living setups to include shared homes with other NDIS-funded participants. But, the flexibility of SIL also allows living with non‑participant family members or friends. Provided that safety, support needs, and goals align correctly.
You’ll need to make sure the arrangement:
- Works with your support needs
- Is approved by your SIL provider and the NDIA
- Fits within the rules and expectations of your NDIS funding
Let’s break down what that actually looks like.
What the SIL Rules Require
When a SIL participant wants to share a home with a partner or friend who is not an NDIS participant, or doesn’t have SIL funding this is often called a family or shared living arrangement model.
Here’s what matters most:
1. Your SIL Funding Only Covers You
Your SIL funding pays for the supports you need, not the other person. If you have overnight support workers, assistance with showering, cooking, or routines, the NDIS is only paying for the time and care required to support you. The non‑participant housemate can contribute informal support or companionship, but the NDIS does not pay for the support they provide or fund support for them.
2. The Provider and NDIA Needs to Approve the Setup
Your SIL provider and the NDIA will need to make sure the home is suitable for the arrangement and give approval. Approval is based on:
- Safe shared spaces
- Staff routines that won’t interrupt privacy
- Compatibility with your routines and the other person’s
- The NDIA must approve the arrangement, ensuring it meets safety, staffing, and compliance standards
3. The NDIA Wants to See It Supports Your Goals
In your NDIS plan, your goal might be to live independently, feel safer at home, or build stronger relationships. If living with your partner or friend helps achieve that and you can show it, it increases your chances of approval.
Eligibility and Application Process
To make this kind of arrangement work under NDIS:
- You need SIL funding included in your plan—this is based on your assessed support needs, your goals, and evidence provided during planning meetings or plan reviews.
- A support coordinator or LAC can help document your living preferences using a “Home and Living supporting evidence” form or change of circumstances request if this is a new goal.
- Your chosen SIL provider will develop a Roster of Care, tailored to your daily and overnight support requirements. Remember, only your support needs are funded. Support for the other person isn’t covered by NDIS.
What to Talk About Before You Move In To SIL
Before moving in with someone who doesn’t receive NDIS supports, it’s important to chat openly about:
- How support workers will move through the home
- What time they’ll arrive and leave
- Which parts of the home are shared vs private
- How routines like bedtime, TV, or meals will work
- What informal help, if any, your housemate is happy to offer
It’s all about setting expectations, so everyone feels respected and supported.
Why This SIL Option Can Be Worth Exploring
Living with someone you trust can offer a deep sense of emotional support, comfort, and stability. While you still receive the full 24/7 support tailored to your disability needs, daily routines and household responsibilities can be shared more naturally. This creates a home environment that feels personal and familiar. For many, it’s a more grounding and meaningful alternative to traditional group housing, where connection and companionship are just as important as care.
While an NDIS participant with SIL funding can live with a partner or friend who does not have NDIS funding, it must be a planned, approved arrangement. With support coordination, evidence and goal alignment, it’s entirely possible to create a home arrangement that feels safe, inclusive, and tailored to your independence goals.
Maple Can Help You Make It Real
At Maple Community Services, we understand that independence doesn’t mean doing it all alone. It means doing it your way, with the people you care about around you.
Whether you’re hoping to move in with a partner, a best friend, or someone you trust, we’ll walk you through every step. From navigating NDIS paperwork to setting up the right roster of care, we’ve helped participants across Australia create living arrangements that reflect their idea of home.
We’re here to support the big decisions, the everyday routines, and everything in between.
Let’s Build a Home That Feels Right
Living with someone you love or trust shouldn’t be off-limits just because you receive SIL funding. With the right support and planning, it’s not only possible, it can be your reality!
Talk to Maple today about Shared SIL Living Options
