Individual Living Options
- NDIS ILO Providers

At Maple, our focus is giving participants the freedom to make decisions about their living situations. This includes selecting their living environment, who they live with, and the type of assistance they need. ILO offers a wide range of support, both formal and informal, which can be tailored to each person’s unique circumstances. Support might come from family, friends, or paid professionals, depending on the participant’s needs and preferences.

The ILO process happens in two stages:

Explore and design

During stage one, our team works closely with you to explore and design your ideal living arrangement. This planning phase includes identifying potential supports and developing a customised plan that outlines how your chosen living situation will work. 

Implement

In stage two, the plan can be implemented. This might involve setting up your chosen living arrangement, organising necessary supports, and making adjustments as needed to ensure your comfort and safety overtime.

Absolutely. Individual Living Options are built entirely around your choices. We sit down with you to understand your routine, preferences, and what makes a house feel like your home. You have the final say in choosing your housemates or host, and deciding how your daily support looks. Our role is to listen and make those choices happen smoothly. We focus on matching you with people who share your vibe and respect your space, giving you total control over your independence.

Trust is everything when it comes to family. We take the time to deeply understand your loved one’s cultural background, dietary needs, and communication style. Our matching process prioritises these elements to ensure they feel entirely comfortable. We maintain consistent communication with you, providing regular updates so you are always part of the journey. Our team is trained to deliver culturally sensitive support, ensuring your family member is safe and thriving in an environment that feels like an extension of their own family.

We know that delays are frustrating and sometimes critical for participants. Maple is built for action and fast onboarding. Once you submit a straightforward referral, our dedicated intake team reviews it immediately to map out a rapid action plan. While ILO requires careful matching to ensure long-term success, we manage the logistics swiftly to minimize wait times. We keep support coordinators updated at every stage, providing clear timelines and transparent communication so you can reassure your participant that their new home is moving forward.

Your comfort is the priority, and we know that sometimes things need adjusting. If a living arrangement or support dynamic is not working, we step in immediately to resolve it. We do not believe in a set-and-forget approach. We will work closely with you, your family, and your support coordinator to find a better match. Our goal is long-term consistency and your peace of mind. We have a broad network of reliable support workers to ensure you always have a backup plan that works.

An Individual Living Option with Maple is about creating opportunities for real independence. We do not just supervise; we actively work with you to build your capacity. Whether that means learning to cook your favorite meals, managing a household budget, or navigating public transport, our support team is there to guide you. We also collaborate closely with your allied health professionals to integrate therapy goals into your daily routine. We are here to support your personal growth and help you achieve your goals.

ILO (Individualised Living Options) is a newer offering from the NDIS, designed to provide an alternative to traditional SIL (Supported Independent Living) funding. The ILO model usually involves participants living with a “host” who acts as their Support Worker. However, you may also choose to live with housemates. 

This arrangement aims to reduce the need for paid 24/7 support by providing a stable living environment with a qualified helper on hand to offer assistance.

The hybrid nature of ILO is for people with disabilities in Australia who might be looking for a more flexible and customised living situation besides Supported Independent Living. It could be the right choice for you if you prefer living with family, a host or a mentor or alongside other people of your own choice who are able to support you in your daily living. 

At Maple, we can help you to design these unique living arrangements to include any tailored supports you may need and adapt them to fit into the support you receive from your host, as well as any other avenues.

If you value control over your living environment and want to explore various living options, reach out to one of our professional team members today to find out more about ILO and all the other options that might be available to you.

Yes, the NDIS funds Individual Living Options (ILO) through a tailored mix of primary and supplementary support. 

Primary supports

In an ILO arrangement, your primary support comes from the person or people you choose to live with. They can assist with aspects of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and ensuring your safety at home. 

Supplementary supports

Supplementary supports are additional services you might need, these are typically provided by a service provider, family members, or someone from your community. These supports are flexible and can include things like respite care, or having a support worker stay with you when your primary support is unavailable.

The amount of funding you receive is determined by the level of support you need in each category and how those supports are delivered and balanced to meet your needs.

One of the major benefits of ILO is its flexibility in supporting various living options. Participants can choose to live alone with the support they need, share their home with a host who offers assistance, or live with friends or family with additional support arranged as required.

ILO is distinct from traditional group homes, as it prioritises independence and customisation, giving participants the opportunity to shape their living environment according to their personal goals and preferences.

Other benefits of NDIS Individual Living Options (ILO) include:

• Personalised Living arrangements – ILO allows you to design a living situation that suits your unique preferences and needs, whether that means living alone, with friends, or with a host family.
• Tailored support – ILO provides support that adapts to your specific goals, lifestyle, and changing needs, ensuring you receive the right assistance without compromising your independence.
• Community integration – If you choose to live with a host or housemates, ILO can promote social connections and allow you to actively participate in community life.
• Cost effective – ILO offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional supported living, as the services and supports can be customised as and when you need them.

To qualify for NDIS Individual Living Options (ILO), you need to meet the following criteria:

• NDIS participant – You must be an active participant in the NDIS, with an approved NDIS plan that includes funding for supported independent living or related supports.
• Living independence – ILO is designed for participants who want more control over their living arrangements and are seeking flexible support to live independently or with chosen housemates or a host. 
• Support needs – You must require assistance with daily living activities but wish to shape how and where this support is delivered. ILO is typically for people who need support with tasks like personal care, household management, or safety, but who want to maintain as much autonomy as possible.
• Person-centred goals – ILO is suitable for those who have goals related to independent living, community integration, and personal growth that can be supported by tailored living arrangements.

You can apply for NDIS Individual Living Options by following these steps:

• Ensure you’re an approved NDIS participant with an active plan.
• Check if your plan includes supported living or similar funding; request a plan review if needed.
• Discuss with your NDIS planner or support coordinator about your interest in ILO.
• As registered ILO providers, Maple Community Services can help you to create a tailored living arrangement plan.
• We will collaborate with you to submit a detailed proposal to the NDIA.
• The NDIA can then review and approve the ILO funding if it is found to be appropriate for your needs.
• Your customised living arrangements can then be implemented with approved ILO support.