A plain-English guide for NDIS participants and families
If you’ve started reading about Supported Independent Living, you’ve probably noticed how much of the information out there contradicts itself. One site says SIL pays for your home. The next says it doesn’t. Some make it sound simple, others make it sound like a wall of forms and assessments.
Here’s the straight version. SIL is one of the larger supports the NDIS funds, and once the basics click, the rest gets a lot easier to follow. This guide covers what SIL pays for, who qualifies, how the funding is worked out, and one change coming in 2026 that every participant and family should have on their radar.
What is SIL funding?
Supported Independent Living, or SIL, is NDIS funding for support workers who help you live as independently as possible in your own home. The key word there is people, not property. SIL pays for the staff and the day-to-day help, not the house, the rent, or the furniture.
Most people who receive SIL need support for a good part of the day, sometimes around the clock. You might share a support worker with the people you live with, or have one-to-one support if your needs call for it. The help can cover anything from getting ready in the morning to cooking dinner, managing medication, or building the skills to do more on your own over time.
What SIL pays for (and what it doesn’t)
SIL is built around your daily routine. A typical roster might include:
- Help with personal care, like showering and dressing
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Cleaning and other household tasks
- Medication prompts and support
- Help building everyday skills, such as budgeting or catching public transport
- Overnight or sleepover support where it’s needed
- Support to get to appointments, work, or social activities
What SIL won’t cover catches a lot of people out. It doesn’t pay for:
- Rent or the cost of your home
- Groceries, bills, or utilities
- The building itself or any specialist modifications
- Assistive technology or equipment
Those last two are funded through other parts of the NDIS, which brings us to the bit most people get tangled up in.
SIL vs SDA: clearing up the confusion
It’s easy to mix up SIL and SDA, and plenty of people do. The simplest way to keep them straight is this: SIL is the support, SDA is the housing.
Supported Independent Living pays for the people who help you. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) pays for a home that’s been specially designed or modified for people with high physical support needs, think wheelchair-friendly layouts or built-in assistive features.
They’re funded separately, and you can have one without the other. Some participants have both: an SDA-funded home with SIL support delivered inside it. Others receive SIL while living in a regular rental or the family home.
Who is eligible for SIL funding?
SIL isn’t for everyone on the NDIS, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s designed for people with higher support needs, usually those who need active support for around eight hours a day or more, plus some level of help at other times.
As a rough guide, SIL might suit you if you:
- Can’t live safely on your own without regular support
- Need help across several daily tasks, not just one or two
- Are working towards greater independence at home
- Have complex health or behavioural support needs
Every SIL decision comes down to whether the support is reasonable and necessary under your plan. The NDIA looks at your assessed needs, your goals, and whether another type of support might fit better before it approves anything. In 2026, that assessment leans more heavily on functional reports than it used to, so strong evidence from your occupational therapist or treating professionals matters more than ever.
How SIL funding is worked out
This is where SIL works differently from most NDIS supports. You don’t get handed a set dollar figure. Instead, your funding is built from a roster of care.
A SIL provider maps out a typical week for you, breaking each day into 30-minute blocks and noting what support you need and when. If you live with housemates who also have NDIS funding, the roster shows where support is shared and where it’s one-to-one. That roster, along with your assessment evidence, goes to the NDIA, who decides how much funding to approve.
Two pricing levels apply. Standard support covers most people. High intensity support is for participants who need workers with extra training, often because of complex health or behavioural needs. Your plan will also include a small allowance for irregular supports, the unplanned days when you might be unwell and need to stay home rather than head out. The NDIS generally funds 10 of these days a year for standard needs, and 15 for high intensity needs.
One thing worth knowing: only one support can be claimed at a time. If you’re out in the community with a worker funded from your core budget, that time isn’t also billed as SIL. It keeps the funding clean and avoids any double-up.
How to apply for SIL funding
Getting SIL into your plan takes a few steps, and a good support coordinator makes the whole thing smoother.
- Start the conversation. Talk to your support coordinator, planner, or your my NDIS contact about your home and living goals.
- Get assessed. An occupational therapist or allied health professional assesses your functional capacity and the level of support you need.
- Complete the evidence form. You’ll fill in the Home and Living Supporting Evidence form, usually up to 100 days before your plan ends, or sooner if your situation has changed.
- Choose a provider. A SIL provider works with you to build your roster of care around your real needs and preferences.
- Wait for the NDIA decision. The NDIA reviews the roster and your evidence, then confirms your funding. Your approved amount may differ from what the provider proposed.
- Sign a service agreement. Once funding is in your plan, you and your provider put a service agreement in place and support begins.
Your SIL funding isn’t tied to one provider, by the way. If a service isn’t working out, you’re free to change providers without losing your funding.
See also: Inflation Protection: Does the Best Health Insurance Increase Coverage Automatically?
What the 2026 registration changes mean for you
Here’s the update every SIL participant should know about. From 1 July 2026, every provider delivering SIL must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Providers have until 1 October 2026 to lodge their application.
This is a real shift, and a good one for participants. A registered NDIS provider has to meet quality and safety standards, pass independent audits, complete worker screening checks, and report against clear requirements. It means more accountability for the people supporting you in your own home.
If your current provider isn’t registered, your plan and funding won’t change overnight, but it’s worth asking where they stand. Choosing a registered NDIS provider from the start saves you the hassle of switching later, and gives you confidence that the service has already met the higher bar.
Choosing the right disability support provider for SIL
The provider you choose shapes your day-to-day life far more than the paperwork ever will. When you’re comparing options, look for a disability support provider that:
- Is a registered NDIS provider with current quality certification
- Has real experience delivering SIL, not just general support
- Is upfront about how rosters, pricing, and shared supports work
- Matches workers to you based on your needs and personality
- Backs your independence rather than doing everything for you
A local provider who knows your area can make a genuine difference too, since they understand the community supports and services around you.
At Superior Quality Care, we’re a registered NDIS provider supporting participants across Redbank Plains, Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba, and Brisbane. If you’re working out whether SIL is right for you, or you just want a clearer picture of your options, we’re happy to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Is SIL part of Core Supports?
Yes. SIL is funded as a Core Support under the Home and Living category in your NDIS plan.
Does SIL funding pay my rent?
No. SIL only pays for support workers and the help they provide. Rent, groceries, and bills come out of your own income, such as the Disability Support Pension.
Can I get SIL if I live alone?
Yes, though it’s less common. Most SIL is delivered in shared homes because it’s more cost-effective, but living alone with SIL support is possible if your assessed needs justify it.
Can I choose my own SIL provider?
Absolutely. Your funding isn’t locked to any provider. You can choose who supports you, and change providers if your needs aren’t being met.
What’s the difference between SIL and SDA?
SIL pays for the support workers who help you. SDA pays for specialist housing designed for high physical support needs. They’re separate supports, and some people have both.
How long does SIL funding last?
SIL is usually ongoing. It’s generally extended automatically each year unless your plan is reassessed or your circumstances change.
Do I need a support coordinator for SIL?
Most people with SIL funding also have a support coordinator in their plan. They help you find providers, build your roster, and get the most out of your funding.
What happens if my support needs change?
You can request a plan review or submit a Change of Situation form. If your needs go up or down, your SIL funding can be adjusted to match.
