Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the more complex areas of NDIS funding. For participants, families and support coordinators, understanding what SIL actually covers and what it does not cover, is essential when considering a move into supported accommodation.
SIL is not simply about finding somewhere for a person to live. At its core, it is about providing the disability-related support a participant needs to live as independently as possible.
But who is SIL actually for? What does SIL funding pay for? How is the level of support determined? And what evidence is needed to demonstrate that SIL is reasonable and necessary?
Let’s break it down.
What is NDIS SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a type of NDIS support for people with disability who require significant assistance with daily living.
SIL generally involves a participant living in a shared living arrangement with other people, with support workers available to assist participants with their day-to-day needs.
The purpose is not simply to provide supervision. SIL should support the participant to develop and maintain skills and participate in everyday life as independently as possible.
Depending on the participant’s individual needs, support may include assistance with:
- Personal care
- Showering and dressing
- Meal preparation
- Household tasks
- Medication routines
- Developing daily living skills
- Managing routines
- Building independence
- Community participation
- Maintaining relationships and social connections
- Safety and support with complex daily activities
The exact supports required should be based on the participant’s individual circumstances and functional capacity, rather than simply the type of accommodation they choose.
SIL funding is not the same as paying for accommodation
This is one of the most important things participants and families need to understand.
SIL funding is primarily for disability-related support not ordinary living expenses.
For example, a participant may still be responsible for costs such as:
- Rent
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Personal expenses
- Other ordinary costs associated with living
NDIS funding for supports should not be confused with funding for the actual cost of living.
This distinction can sometimes be confusing when a participant is considering moving into a SIL property because the accommodation and support may be provided by organisations that work closely together. However, the housing arrangement and the disability support are not necessarily the same thing.
Who might need SIL?
SIL is generally considered where a participant has substantial support needs and requires assistance to live independently.
For example, someone may have significant difficulties with:
Personal care:
They may need regular assistance with showering, dressing, toileting or other personal activities.
Daily living:
They may require assistance with cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping or maintaining their household.
Safety:
They may require support because of significant disability-related risks or difficulties managing daily routines safely.
Decision-making and organisation:
They may need ongoing assistance to organise their day, follow routines, manage appointments or complete everyday tasks.
Developing independence:
They may need structured support to develop skills that could allow them to become more independent over time.
However, having a disability or needing some assistance with daily activities does not automatically mean a person will be eligible for SIL.
The evidence needs to demonstrate the person’s actual level of support need.
Why functional capacity evidence matters
One of the most important pieces of evidence when considering SIL is often a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA).
An FCA can help demonstrate how a participant’s disability affects their ability to function across different areas of life.
This can include:
- Personal care
- Communication
- Mobility
- Self-management
- Social interaction
- Domestic activities
- Community access
- Cognitive functioning
- Executive functioning
- Safety
- Capacity to complete daily routines independently
A strong SIL request should not simply say: “This participant needs SIL.” It should explain why.
For example: What can the participant currently do independently? What tasks require prompting? What tasks require physical assistance? How frequently is support required? What happens when support isn’t available? What risks exist? What skills could potentially be developed? Why are existing informal or funded supports insufficient? These details help demonstrate the participant’s actual support requirements.
Informal supports matter too
Another important consideration is the role of family and other informal supports. A participant may currently rely heavily on a parent, partner, sibling or another family member. That support may have been sustainable for years but circumstances can change. Parents may age. Family members may become unwell. Relationships may change. A family member may return to work. The participant may move away from their family. The amount of support required may also increase as the participant’s circumstances change. Therefore, when considering SIL, it is important to look at whether informal supports are reasonable and sustainable, rather than assuming family members can continue providing substantial levels of support indefinitely
SIL should support independence
The word “Independent” in Supported Independent Living is important. SIL should not simply mean that a support worker does everything for the participant. The goal should be to provide the right level of assistance while supporting the participant’s capacity to do as much as possible themselves. For one participant, that might mean learning how to prepare simple meals. For another, it could mean developing a consistent medication routine. For someone else, it could involve learning household management, shopping, budgeting or community participation.
The participant’s NDIS goals and individual circumstances should therefore be central to the support approach.
What evidence can support a SIL request?
Depending on the participant’s circumstances, useful evidence may include:
Functional Capacity Assessment
An OT or other appropriately qualified professional can provide evidence about functional limitations and support needs.
Behaviour Support Information
Where behaviour significantly affects daily living or safety, relevant behaviour support evidence may be important.
Medical or clinical evidence
Where relevant, medical information can help explain the participant’s disability and associated support needs.
Support worker observations
Detailed records can demonstrate what assistance the participant actually requires in everyday situations.
Family/informal support information
Evidence about the amount of assistance currently provided by family can help demonstrate sustainability.
Previous support history
Information about existing supports, their effectiveness and any gaps can help establish why a change may be required.
The strongest evidence is usually specific and functional. Rather than simply stating that someone has “high support needs,” explain what that means in practical terms.
SIL is not a one-size-fits-all solution
Two people with the same disability can have completely different support requirements. One person may need assistance for several hours each day. Another may require much more intensive support. Another participant may be able to live independently with lower levels of assistance and capacity-building supports rather than SIL. That is why SIL decisions should be based on individual functional needs, not simply diagnosis. A diagnosis tells us about a person’s disability. Functional evidence helps explain how that disability affects the person’s everyday life.
What should participants think about before requesting SIL?
Before pursuing SIL, it can be helpful to ask:
1. What support do I actually need?
Identify the specific tasks that are difficult or unsafe to complete independently.
2. How often do I need support?
Is assistance required daily, several times per day, overnight or only occasionally?
3. What can I already do independently?
This is equally important. SIL should support independence, not unnecessarily replace abilities the participant already has.
4. What are my current supports?
Consider support workers, family, therapists and other services.
5. Are my informal supports sustainable?
Consider whether family members can realistically continue providing the current level of assistance.
6. What are my goals?
Consider what the participant wants their life to look like—not just what services they can receive.
7. What evidence supports the request?
Make sure the evidence clearly explains the participant’s functional needs.
SIL and the Participant’s choice
Moving into supported accommodation is a major life decision. It can affect where someone lives, who they live with, their daily routine, relationships and independence. Therefore, the participant’s preferences and goals should be taken seriously. Where possible, participants should be supported to understand their options and make informed decisions about:
- Where they want to live
- Who they want to live with
- What support they want
- How much assistance they require
- What level of independence they want to achieve
SIL should be about supporting a person’s life, rather than allowing the support arrangement to determine what their life looks like.
SIL funding can be life-changing for participants who genuinely require significant assistance with daily living. But a successful SIL request requires more than simply saying:
“I need supported accommodation.”
It should clearly demonstrate:
Functional needs → level of assistance → frequency of support → risks/barriers → informal support capacity → goals → why the proposed support is appropriate.
Good evidence tells the participant’s story in practical terms.
And importantly, the focus should remain on the person not simply the funding category.
SIL should help people live safely, develop their independence and participate in everyday life with the right level of disability-related support.
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