Supported independent living
Supported independent living, usually called SIL, is support with the everyday tasks of living in a shared or individual home, often around the clock. It is funded separately from ordinary core supports, priced on a roster of care rather than by the hour, and it is assessed individually.
SIL is the biggest single line in many plans, and the assessment process is slow, so it is worth understanding before you start.
What SIL pays for, and what it does not
SIL pays for the support: the workers, the roster, the overnight cover. It does not pay the rent, the bills or the food, which come out of the person's own income like anyone else's.
The housing and the support are separate decisions, even when one provider offers both. You are allowed to change support provider without moving house, and it is worth checking a provider agrees with that in writing.
How it is funded
On a roster of care, not an hourly rate.
A provider builds a roster showing who is on shift, when, and how support is shared between the people in the house. The NDIA prices that roster. Sharing brings the cost per person down, which is why SIL is often in a shared home.
Because it is individually assessed, two people in the same house can have very different SIL funding.
Need a support worker?
We'll connect you with a registered provider near you who has space.
Questions people ask
Do I have to live with other people?
No, but shared living is more common because sharing support lowers the cost per person and makes the roster viable.
Can I keep my support provider if I move?
Usually. Housing and support are separate. Check the service agreement before signing, because some providers tie them together.
How long does SIL take to set up?
Longer than people expect. The assessment, the roster and finding a vacancy all take time, so start early.
Keep reading
- What it costsNDIS price limits for a support worker in 2026-27, hour by hour: weekday, evening, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday.
- Respite and overnightShort term accommodation and overnight support under the NDIS.
- Personal careWhat personal care covers under the NDIS, what it costs, and how to find a provider with a worker who is the right fit.
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