What is Supported Independent Living? A Complete Guide

What is SIL?

Supported Independent Living, commonly known as SIL, is an NDIS-funded support designed to help people with disability live as independently as possible in their own home or a shared living arrangement. Rather than living in a residential facility or relying entirely on family, SIL gives you access to the daily supports you need while maintaining your independence, your routines and your sense of home.

SIL covers the personal support and supervision you need to manage day-to-day life. This can include help with personal care such as showering and dressing, meal preparation and cooking, household tasks like cleaning and laundry, medication management, community access and social participation, and overnight or 24-hour support where needed.

The key thing to understand about SIL is that it is about you. Your SIL arrangement is built around your individual needs, goals and preferences. It is not a one-size-fits-all model. The supports you receive, the routines you follow and the way your home runs are shaped by what matters most to you.

SIL is different from Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), which funds the physical building or home itself. SIL funds the support workers and services you receive inside that home. Some participants receive both SIL and SDA funding, while others may have SIL funding and live in a private rental, a home they own, or accommodation arranged through other means.

Who qualifies for SIL?

SIL is available to NDIS participants who need regular daily support to live independently. It is typically suited to people who require more than a few hours of support per day and who want to live outside their family home, a hospital or an aged care facility.

To be eligible for SIL funding in your NDIS plan, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will assess several factors. They will look at your current support needs and how much help you require with daily tasks. They will consider your goals, particularly around independence, community participation and building life skills. They will also explore whether SIL represents value for money compared to other support options, and whether it is a reasonable and necessary support for your circumstances.

There is no single diagnosis or disability type that automatically qualifies you for SIL. People with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, psychosocial disabilities, acquired brain injuries, autism and other conditions can all access SIL if their needs and goals align with what SIL provides.

If you are not sure whether SIL is right for you, a support coordinator can help you explore your options. They can assist with gathering the evidence you need, preparing a SIL request, and presenting your case to the NDIA during a plan review or reassessment. At Delta Community Support, we also help prospective participants and their families understand the SIL process and what to expect.

Types of SIL arrangements

SIL is not a single model. There are several types of living arrangements that can be supported through SIL funding, and the right one for you depends on your needs, preferences and the level of support you require.

Shared living

This is the most common SIL arrangement. Two to five participants share a house, with support workers rostered to provide the care and assistance each person needs. Shared living offers companionship, cost efficiencies and a home-like environment. Each participant has their own bedroom and personal space, while sharing common areas such as the kitchen, living room and garden. Support workers help with daily routines, meal preparation, household tasks and community access for all participants in the house.

Individual living

Some participants prefer to live on their own in a private apartment, unit or house with dedicated support workers. Individual living provides maximum privacy, independence and control over your environment. Your support schedule is built entirely around your needs and preferences, without having to coordinate with other participants. This option tends to require higher levels of funding because the support is not shared.

Drop-in support

For participants who need less intensive support, drop-in SIL involves scheduled support visits throughout the day or week. A support worker visits your home at agreed times to help with specific tasks such as cooking, cleaning, personal care or medication management. Between visits, you manage independently. This arrangement works well for people who are building their independence and need targeted help with particular activities.

24/7 support vs rostered support

Within any SIL arrangement, the level of support can vary. Some participants require a support worker to be present around the clock, including active overnight support. Others may need support during the day with a sleepover arrangement at night, where a support worker is on-site but sleeping unless needed. Some participants only require support during specific hours and manage independently overnight. Your SIL roster of care is tailored to reflect exactly what you need at different times of the day and week.

How SIL funding works

SIL is funded under the Core Supports budget category in your NDIS plan, specifically under Assistance with Daily Life. Unlike many other NDIS supports where you receive a set dollar amount to spend flexibly, SIL funding is usually allocated based on a detailed assessment of your individual support needs.

The process typically works like this. First, you and your support coordinator identify that SIL is the right option for you. Your support coordinator then works with you and your chosen SIL provider to develop a SIL quote. This quote outlines the specific supports you need, when you need them, and how much they will cost based on the NDIS Price Guide rates.

A key part of the SIL quote is the Roster of Care. This is a detailed week-by-week schedule showing exactly what support you will receive and when. It includes the number of support worker hours, the times of day support is provided, the ratio of support workers to participants (in shared living arrangements), and any additional supports such as active overnight or community access.

The NDIA reviews your SIL quote and Roster of Care as part of your plan approval or review. They will assess whether the requested supports are reasonable, necessary and represent value for money. If approved, the SIL funding is built into your NDIS plan as a stated support, meaning it is allocated specifically for SIL and cannot be used for other purposes.

It is worth noting that SIL funding covers the cost of support workers and their time. It does not cover rent, food, utilities or personal expenses. These everyday living costs are your responsibility, just as they would be for anyone living in the community. Some participants may be eligible for additional supports such as rent assistance through Centrelink or SDA funding for specialised housing.

If you find that your SIL needs change over time, you can request a plan review to adjust your funding. Your support coordinator or Delta Community Support can help you through this process.

How to choose a SIL provider

Choosing a SIL provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. Your SIL provider will be responsible for the day-to-day support that shapes your quality of life, so it is essential to take your time, ask the right questions and choose a provider that genuinely aligns with your needs and values.

Check NDIS registration

SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Registration means the provider has been independently audited against the NDIS Practice Standards and meets the requirements for delivering high-risk, high-intensity supports. You can verify a provider's registration on the NDIS Commission website.

Visit the home

If you are considering a shared living arrangement, visit the house. See the bedrooms, common areas and outdoor spaces. Pay attention to how the home feels. Is it clean, welcoming and well-maintained? Does it feel like a home or an institution? Talk to the participants who already live there if possible and get a sense of the household dynamic.

Meet the staff

Ask to meet the support workers who would be working with you. Are they friendly, respectful and genuinely interested in getting to know you? Do they have experience supporting people with similar needs? A good SIL provider will prioritise consistent staffing so you build relationships with workers who understand your routines and preferences.

Ask about routines and flexibility

How does the provider structure daily routines? Is there flexibility for you to wake up when you want, eat what you like and spend your time the way you choose? A person-centred provider will work around your preferences rather than enforcing rigid schedules on everyone in the house.

Check staff-to-participant ratios

In shared living, the ratio of support workers to participants matters. Ask how many staff are on at different times of day and night. Make sure the staffing levels are sufficient to meet everyone's needs without long wait times or rushed support.

Ask about community access

SIL should not mean staying at home all day. Ask how the provider supports participants to get out into the community, pursue hobbies, attend social events and build connections. Active community participation is a core part of a good SIL arrangement.

Read reviews and ask for references

Look for Google reviews, testimonials and feedback from other participants and families. Ask the provider if they can connect you with a current participant or family member who is willing to share their experience. Real feedback from real people is one of the best indicators of what to expect.

How Delta Community Support delivers SIL

At Delta Community Support, SIL is at the heart of what we do. We deliver Supported Independent Living across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Melbourne, with a focus on genuine person-centred care that puts you in control of your life.

Person-centred approach

Every SIL arrangement we create starts with you. We take the time to understand your goals, your preferences, your routines and what matters most to you. Your support plan is designed around your life, not the other way around. If you prefer to sleep in on weekends, that is built into the plan. If you want to learn to cook your favourite meals, we will work on that with you. Your home, your rules.

Consistent staffing

We know that trust and familiarity are essential to good support. That is why we prioritise consistent staffing in all our SIL homes. You will get to know your support workers, and they will get to know you. This consistency reduces anxiety, improves communication and creates a genuine sense of home.

Active support model

Our support workers do not just do things for you. They work alongside you, supporting you to build skills and confidence in daily tasks. Whether it is cooking, cleaning, managing money or getting around your community, our goal is to help you do more for yourself over time. This is called the active support model, and it underpins everything we do.

Participant choice and control

You have the right to make decisions about your own life. We support that right every day. From choosing what to eat for dinner to deciding how you spend your weekends, our role is to support your choices, not make them for you. We actively involve you in decisions about your support, your household and your goals.

Regular reviews

Your needs and goals will evolve over time, and your SIL support should evolve with them. We conduct regular reviews with you and your support network to ensure your supports are still right for you. If something is not working, we adjust. If you are making progress toward a goal, we celebrate and set new ones.

Brisbane and Melbourne locations

We operate SIL homes across South East Queensland and in Melbourne, Victoria. Whether you are looking for a shared house in Brisbane's northern suburbs, a property on the Gold Coast, or a SIL arrangement in Melbourne's western or northern corridors, we can help you find the right fit.

Getting started with SIL

If you or someone you support is interested in Supported Independent Living, the first step is to get in touch. You can contact Delta Community Support directly by phone or through our website, or ask your support coordinator to make a referral on your behalf.

Here is what the process typically looks like:

1. Initial conversation — We learn about your needs, goals and preferences. This can be a phone call, a video call or a face-to-face meeting, whatever works best for you.
2. Assessment and planning — We work with you and your support coordinator to understand your support requirements and identify the right SIL arrangement.
3. Meet and greet — If shared living is the plan, we arrange visits to potential homes so you can meet the other participants and support staff.
4. SIL quote and approval — We prepare your SIL quote and Roster of Care for submission to the NDIA as part of your plan review.
5. Transition support — Once approved, we provide transition support to help you settle into your new home at your own pace.

There is no obligation and no pressure. We are happy to answer your questions, explain the process and help you decide whether SIL is the right fit.