Supported Independent Living (SIL) gives people with disabilities access to regular support at home while helping them build confidence and independence in daily life. In 2026, the NDIS looks closely at a person’s everyday support needs, their goals for home and living, and the evidence that shows why SIL is the right fit. This guide breaks down who usually qualifies for SIL, what the funding covers, and how to prepare for the process with more clarity.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is paid personal support that helps you with daily tasks in your home so you can live as independently as possible while building your skills. The NDIS says SIL is most commonly used in shared living arrangements, although it may also be funded for some people who live alone. SIL usually suits participants with higher support needs who need a significant amount of help throughout the day, seven days a week, including overnight support.
How Does Supported Independent Living (SIL) Work?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) starts with your support needs, not with a vacancy in a house. The funding is not tied to one provider or a provider-designed model. The NDIS also looks at how SIL works alongside your other supports at home and in the community.
In practical terms, SIL may include support with:
- Personal care assistance
- Household tasks and routines
- Building skills for cooking, cleaning, and independent living
- Social skills and some non-routine community access
- Medication assistance
- Support to attend medical appointments
- Supervision, safety, and behaviour support implementation
How your SIL provider is paid depends on how your NDIS funding is set up. If your funding is NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers. With plan-managed or self-managed funding, you may be able to choose either registered or unregistered providers, depending on what suits your arrangement best.
What Does SIL Funding Cover?
Official NDIS guidance sets out what SIL may include and what it does not cover. As the guideline notes, you should always check the official NDIS website for the latest version if needed.
| What SIL includes | What SIL does not cover |
| Personal care tasks | Groceries |
| Building skills for meal prep, cooking, cleaning, and routines | Rent, board, or lodging |
| Behaviour support plan implementation | Utilities |
| Social skill development | Vehicle costs |
| Supervision, safety, and security | Household budgeting or bill paying |
| Medication assistance | Holiday and travel expenses |
| Support for medical appointments | Nursing, medical, palliative care, and other health-related supports |
| Some non-routine community access | Regular community access supports |
| Support getting to and from community activities in some cases | Transport and allied health supports are funded elsewhere |
| Housing or building costs themselves |
Understanding Support Ratios in NDIS SIL
Support ratios describe how many disability support workers provide support, and how many participants share that support. Support ratios also depend on a participant’s needs and living arrangements. The NDIS considers the hours of support needed, overnight support, and whether the support is standard or high intensity.
The common support ratios include:
- 1:1 Support: One support worker for one participant. This is for participants who require constant support.
- 1:2 Support: One worker for two participants. Suitable for those who can share support with moderate needs.
- 1:3 Support: One worker for three participants. Suitable for those who can share support with some needs
- 2:1 Support: Two workers for one participant, where two support workers are required to assist one participant.
Who Is Eligible for SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is generally for NDIS participants with higher support needs. The NDIS describes SIL as support for people who need significant help throughout the day, 7 days a week, including overnight support. SIL usually suits people who need regular assistance at home across the full day and night, not just occasional support.
Participants who access SIL usually:
- Have higher support needs (requiring regular assistance throughout the day and possibly overnight)
- Usually need active disability support for more than eight hours a day, plus some level of support across 24 hours
- Have current and future home and living goals that require structured support
- Need SIL because other home and living options may not be suitable or sufficient
How to Request Home and Living Supports (Including SIL) Through the NDIS
To request home and living supports, including Supported Independent Living (SIL), you need to tell the NDIA that your current plan does not fully meet your support needs at home. The NDIA looks at your current living situation, your future goals, the support you need each day, and the evidence showing why SIL is the right option for you. It also checks whether other supports, community services, or informal supports can meet your needs before SIL is considered.
The NDIS focuses on these conditions to review your SIL request:
- Your age: SIL is usually considered for people aged 18 and over, as the NDIS considers that younger participants typically receive care within the family home.
- Your current situation and future home and living goals: Where you live now and what you want for the future.
- Your daily support needs: Whether you need active support for more than eight hours a day, or some level of support across 24 hours.
- Your independent living skills: Your ability to manage daily tasks and the potential to build on these skills.
- Alternative home and living options: Whether other supports may better suit your needs.
- Supporting evidence: Reports from allied health professionals (e.g., occupational therapists) outlining why SIL is the most appropriate support.
How Holistic Futures Becomes Part of Your Journey
Supported Independent Living is designed for people who need a high level of support at home and want that support delivered in a way that builds independence, safety, and daily living skills. What matters most is showing why SIL fits your everyday support needs, your goals, and your long-term home and living plan better than other options. For the most accurate next step, check the latest NDIS guidance and get advice that reflects your individual situation.
Holistic Futures supports participants across Victoria with services that work alongside your goals, including Supported Independent Living, Short-Term Accommodation (Respite), Accommodation options, life skills and home support, social and community participation, and support coordination.
Whether you are exploring SIL for the first time or reviewing your current setup, Holistic Futures can help you understand your options, prepare for conversations about support needs, and take the next step with more clarity.
Learn more about available disability services across Victoria.
FAQs
1. Can I access SIL if I live alone?
Yes, in some cases. The NDIS says SIL is most commonly used in shared living arrangements, but it may also be funded for some participants who live alone if that is the right support for their needs.
2. Do I need 24/7 support to qualify for SIL?
SIL is generally aimed at people with higher support needs. The NDIS guidance says it may suit people who need active disability support for more than eight hours a day and some level of support across 24 hours, including overnight support.
3. Is SIL the same as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
No. SIL is the support you receive in the home. SDA relates to the physical housing for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment. The NDIS treats them as different supports.
4. What evidence helps with a SIL request?
Useful evidence often includes allied health assessments, occupational therapist reports, information about functional capacity, and details about your day-to-day support needs, goals, and possible alternative home and living options.
5. How can SIL funding be managed once it is approved?
SIL funding can be NDIA-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed. That choice affects how providers are paid and whether you must use registered providers or can also choose unregistered ones.
