If you or a family member need regular help at home, you may have heard the term supported independent living, often shortened to SIL. In this guide, we explain what supported independent living under the NDIS is, who it is for, what it includes and does not include, how funding and eligibility work, and how to get started in Campbelltown.
Supported independent living is not a type of house. It is the paid support that helps a person live in their own home, or in a shared home, with the level of help they need. Understanding that distinction makes the rest of the NDIS process much clearer.
What is SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS-funded help with daily tasks at home for people who need significant support to live independently. A support worker, or a team of support workers, assists with personal care and household tasks, and helps build the skills needed for everyday life. The support is delivered where the person lives, whether that is a private home, a shared house, or another suitable home.
The aim of SIL is independence, not dependence. Support is tailored to the person, so one person may need help for a few hours a day, while another may need help around the clock. The focus is on what the person wants to do, what they can already do, and what they are learning to do with less help over time.
Under the NDIS, SIL is described as a Home and Living support. It pays for the support workers, not for the home itself. Rent, food, utilities and other everyday living costs are generally separate, and are usually paid by the person, just as they would be for anyone living independently.
Who is SIL for?
SIL is for NDIS participants who need a high level of help at home and cannot live safely, or sustainably, without that help. It is often considered when a person needs regular support throughout the day, overnight support, or help to stay safe and well at home.
- People who need help with personal care, such as showering, dressing and eating.
- People who need help with household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and shopping.
- People who need supervision or overnight support to stay safe at home.
- People who are building independence skills and need consistent, structured support to practise them.
- People who live alone, or who share a home with other people with disability, and need support in that home.
SIL is not for everyone, and it is not the only way to get help at home. Some people receive a smaller amount of assistance with daily living, while others use other NDIS supports, such as support coordination, therapy, or community participation. The right mix depends on the person’s goals, their living situation, and the assessment of their support needs.
What SIL includes and does not include
SIL support is practical and hands-on. It is built around the person’s daily routine and their NDIS goals.
- Support with daily personal activities, including personal care and getting ready for the day.
- Help with household tasks, including cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping.
- Support to build independence skills, such as planning meals, managing a routine, and using public transport.
- Support to stay connected with family, friends and the local community.
- Overnight support and 24-hour support where that level of support has been funded.
SIL generally does not include the cost of rent or the home itself, groceries, personal items, or supports that are funded separately in a plan, such as therapy or transport. It also does not replace informal support from family and friends, although those supports are often part of a person’s wider network. If a person needs a different kind of help, such as nursing care or specialist therapy, that is usually funded and arranged separately.
SIL vs SDA: what is the difference?
SIL and SDA are often mentioned together, but they fund different things. SIL funds the support workers. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funds specialist housing for people with very high support needs, or extreme functional impairment, who need a specially designed home.
SIL: the people who help you at home. It is about support hours, supervision and skill-building.
SDA: the specially designed building itself. It is about the physical home, such as wheelchair-accessible design, assistive technology, or a layout that allows overnight support.
A person can have SIL without SDA, and can live in a regular home with SIL support. A person in SDA housing will usually also need SIL, or another form of support, to help with daily life in that home. In short, SDA is the house, and SIL is the help inside it.
How SIL funding and eligibility work
SIL is funded under Core Supports, in the Assistance with Daily Life category, as part of Home and Living supports. It is not a set amount that every participant receives. The amount is based on an assessment of the person’s support needs, their living situation, and the level of support required to live safely and work towards their goals.
The assessment usually looks at the person’s daily routines, the times of day when help is needed, whether overnight support is needed, and whether support can be shared with other people living in the same home. Shared support, where one worker supports more than one person at the same time, can be part of the assessment, and it is reflected in the funding.
To be considered for SIL, a person generally needs to be an NDIS participant, have Home and Living supports as a goal or a need in their plan, and provide evidence about their support needs, often through reports from allied health professionals or other assessors. The NDIS then decides whether SIL is reasonable and necessary for that person, and at what level.
Funding can change at a plan review if needs change, if a person’s living situation changes, or if they have built new skills and need less help. It is important to keep records of the support received and any changes in needs, so a review can reflect the current situation.
Levels and ratios of support, in plain language
SIL support is often described by how many hours are provided, and by the ratio of workers to participants. In plain language, a ratio describes how support is shared.
- One-to-one support: one worker supports one person. This is used when a person needs dedicated, individual help.
- Shared support: one worker supports two or more people at the same time, for example in a shared home. This is common when people have similar routines and can be supported together safely.
- Drop-in support: a worker visits at set times during the day, rather than staying for the whole day.
- Overnight support: a worker is present overnight, either awake or on sleepover, depending on the person’s needs.
- 24-hour support: support is available around the clock, with workers rostered across the day and night.
The level of support is not a measure of a person’s worth or ability. It is a practical description of how much help is needed to live safely and independently, and it can change over time as skills grow or needs change.
How to get started with SIL in Campbelltown
If you are in Campbelltown or a surrounding suburb and are thinking about SIL, a good first step is to talk with your support coordinator, Local Area Coordinator, or plan manager about your goals and your current support needs. They can help you understand whether SIL is likely to be reasonable and necessary, and what evidence you may need for an assessment.
It can also help to think about practical questions: where would you like to live, who would you like to live with, what times of day do you need help, and what skills would you like to build? Having clear answers makes it easier to discuss options with a provider and to plan support around your routine.
Iconic Care Group provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) as part of its Tailored Support services in Campbelltown, with support from 20 hours a week up to 24/7 support, as described on that page. If you would like to discuss your situation, contact Iconic Care Group to talk through your needs and the next steps. You can also learn more on our Tailored Support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is supported independent living in simple terms?
In simple terms, supported independent living is paid help at home so a person with disability can live as independently as possible. A support worker helps with personal care, household tasks and building everyday skills, at the level the person needs.
Does the NDIS pay for rent under SIL?
No, SIL generally does not pay for rent. SIL funds the support workers who help at home. Rent, food and everyday living costs are usually paid by the person, unless they receive a separate housing support such as Specialist Disability Accommodation.
How do I know if I qualify for SIL?
You may qualify if you are an NDIS participant who needs a high level of help at home to live safely and work towards your goals. The NDIS assesses your support needs, your living situation and the evidence from health professionals before deciding whether SIL is reasonable and necessary for you.