What Is SIL? A Guide to Supported Independent Living with the NDIS
For many NDIS participants, the journey toward independence and stability starts with finding the right living arrangement. If you’ve come across the term SIL or Supported Independent Living, you may be wondering what it means, how it works, and whether it’s the right fit for your needs or your loved one’s.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about SIL under the NDIS. Who is SIL for? What NDIS supports are included in supported independent living arrangements? How Maple Community Services can help you access the right home and support to live life with confidence? Find out!
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a type of NDIS home and living support that provides help with daily tasks so you can live as independently as possible. While still receiving the assistance and 24/7 support you need.
SIL funding is designed for people with higher support needs, who require 24/7 assistance in a shared or individual home. This support can be provided in SIL homes across Australia, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or other NDIS-approved disability housing options.
Rather than just offering a place to live, SIL ensures you receive the day-to-day personal supports you need to feel safe, build your skills, and work towards greater independence.
How Do I Know If I Am Eligible For SIL?
SIL is only available to participants who are already approved for the NDIS. The NDIS will look at reports from occupational therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals, to determine if SIL is the most suitable support for you. Supported Independent Living is designed for NDIS participants who need help throughout the day (and often overnight). A specialised support team will provide assistance with personal care, daily tasks and managing behaviours and routines. If you have NDIS plan and require 24/7 or regular support you may be eligible for SIL.
Who Is SIL For?
SIL may be right for you if you:
- Have higher support needs, such as needing help with personal care, medication, or mobility
- Require regular or overnight support to live safely
- Are unable to live independently without ongoing assistance
- Want to build daily living skills in a supportive environment
- May be transitioning from hospital, aged care, or are at risk of homelessness or social isolation
SIL is often recommended for people with intellectual disability, psychosocial disability, acquired brain injury, or complex physical needs. However, eligibility is assessed on functional capacity and support needs, not just diagnosis.
What Supports Are Included in SIL?
SIL supports are tailored to the unique needs of each participant but typically include:
- Personal care (e.g. showering, dressing, grooming)
- Medication management
- Meal planning and preparation
- Cleaning and household tasks
- Developing daily living skills (e.g. cooking, money management, using public transport)
- Support with routines, appointments, and community participation
- Overnight or 24/7 support, depending on your needs
At Maple Community Services, SIL is delivered with a strong focus on individual choice, cultural safety, and goal-directed support. We want to ensure you’re not just cared for, but empowered to grow.
How Does SIL Work Under the NDIS?
A lot of people ask if their NDIS funding covers the costs of the home. The fast answer is no: rent, bills and groceries are the responsibility of the participant. NDIS SIL funding covers the supports provided to a participant living in any disability housing arrangement.
Under the NDIS, Supported Independent Living is considered a type of support. Not just housing itself. The NDIS separates your accommodation funding (the physical property) from the funding that covers the daily supports you receive while living there. SIL is typically funded through your Core Supports, specifically under Assistance with Daily Living, and is approved following a comprehensive assessment of your support needs.
How to Apply for SIL Through the NDIS
To access SIL, you’ll usually need a functional assessment from an occupational therapist, evidence that you have a housing-related goal in your NDIS plan, and professional reports that clearly demonstrate your need for 24/7 or regular assistance. It’s also important to explain how SIL will help you work toward greater independence and long-term stability. Your Support Coordinator or NDIS Planner can then help prepare and submit a Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form, which the NDIA will use to assess your eligibility for SIL funding.
If you believe SIL is right for you or a loved one, we recommend taking these steps:
- Talk to your Support Coordinator
They’ll help gather the right documentation and explore SIL providers that meet your preferences. - Build a strong evidence base
You’ll need reports from allied health professionals, demonstrating your support needs and functional capacity. These need to be as detailed as possible. Make sure you link your experiences directly to your desired outcomes and the supports that will help you reach them. - Submit a Home & Living application to the NDIA
This includes your goals, a housing assessment, and a quote from a registered SIL provider. - Choose your provider
You have the right to choose a SIL provider that matches your values and goals. Supported independent living supports can be more significant than regular NDIS core supports, because you’re inviting these people into your personal spaces everyday. And trusting them with things that matter most – like prepping your meals, helping you clean and participate in your community.
What’s the Difference Between SIL, SDA, ILO and MTA?
There’s a lot of NDIS housing options available. It’s important to understand the different types of independent living arrangements to find the best one for you. Here’s how SIL compares to others:
- SIL (Supported Independent Living): Focuses on the daily supports you receive in the home. You can receive SIL supports in any type of disability housing setting.
- SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation): Refers to the specially designed home itself, for those with very high support needs. This includes SDA homes that are purposely built for accessibility. They have wide entrances, enlarged powerpoints, railings, open showers and ramp access throughout. You may receive SIL in an SDA home. But they are funded separately and assessed based on your level of need.
- ILO (Individualised Living Options): Offers a flexible, person-led arrangement for those who don’t need 24/7 support. Unlike SIL, it’s designed for people who still want to live alone or with family but need the occasional support at home.
- MTA (Medium-Term Accommodation): Short-term funded support for people who need a safe place to stay while they’re waiting for a more permanent SDA home or SIL arrangement to be ready. It’s not a long-term solution. But it’s a vital stepping stone that helps you avoid being stuck in hospital, aged care, or unsuitable housing while you wait for your next chapter to begin.
Why Choose Maple Community Services for SIL?
At Maple we want to redefine SIL living. We want SIL participants across Australia to live in environments where they can thrive. It’s not good enough that participants are left without a home where they can feel safe and comfortable. It’s not good enough that participants are placed in SIL homes but aren’t supported by teams who respect their rights and wishes.
Instead, we want every Maple SIL home to provide 24/7 tailored supports that work with participants to create routines that feel good to them. We ensure all of our support workers and team have ongoing training and are qualified to support our participants. We collaborative with families and health professionals to truly understand participants and make sure they are receiving consistent, structured care. That is truly helping them achieve their goals. We have disability housing in Perth, SDA homes in NSW, SIL homes in Victoria and NDIS homes across QLD. We have a proven track record in placing participants in welcoming homes, anywhere, at any time.
Ready to Explore Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living can be life-changing. With the right supports in place, you can build new routines, grow in confidence, and feel genuinely at home. Without limitations.
If you’re unsure where to start. Or if you want to explore if SIL is right for you, our team is here to help. Maple Community Services will walk with you every step of the way, from funding applications to settling into a home that feels right.
Contact us today to speak with a team member who truly understands.
