If you or a family member are exploring home and living options under the NDIS, you’ve probably come across the term “Supported Independent Living,” or SIL. It’s one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — parts of the NDIS. Does it pay your rent? Does it mean moving into a group home? Who actually qualifies?
This guide answers all of that in plain English, with a specific focus on how SIL works here in Sydney: what it funds, how the Roster of Care process works, and what to look for in a local provider.
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a type of NDIS-funded support designed to help eligible participants live as independently as possible by providing assistance with everyday tasks, personal care, household routines and developing daily living skills.Things like personal care, cooking, cleaning, and building the skills you need to live as independently as possible.Support arrangements may include daytime, overnight or higher levels of assistance where these supports are assessed as reasonable and necessary for the participant. .
SIL is most commonly used when a participant shares a home with one or more housemates who also receive NDIS funding, allowing support to be shared across the household. In some circumstances, participants may receive individualised SIL support where this reflects their assessed support needs and circumstances.
It’s important to understand what SIL is not. SIL is a support, not a home. It pays for the person helping you, not the building you live in. That distinction matters a lot once you start comparing it with other NDIS home and living categories.
What SIL Funding Covers — and What It Doesn’t
SIL typically covers:
- Personal care and daily living assistance (showering, dressing, medication prompts)
- Help with household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry
- Overnight and 24/7 support, where assessed as necessary
- Skill-building support to help you become more independent over time
- Support to take part in community activities alongside your daily routine
SIL does not cover:
- Rent, mortgage, or board
- Groceries and everyday living costs
- Utility bills
- The physical structure or accessibility features of the home itself (that’s Specialist Disability Accommodation, or SDA)
This is one of the most common points of confusion, so it’s worth repeating: SIL pays for the people, SDA pays for the house. Many participants in a specialist disability home actually receive both types of funding at once — SDA for the property, and SIL for the day-to-day support delivered inside it.
Who Is SIL For?
SIL isn’t included in every NDIS plan automatically. To access it, you generally need:
- An NDIS plan that includes a home and living goal
- Assessed functional support needs that affect daily living tasks — things like mobility, self-care, or household management
- A level of support need where assistance from paid supports is considered appropriate alongside existing informal supports and other available options.
- A living situation (whether shared or individual) where regular or continuous assistance genuinely improves your safety and independence
During your planning meeting, the NDIA will look at your goals, your current supports, and your living arrangements to decide whether SIL is “reasonable and necessary” for you. If you’re not sure whether your circumstances qualify, our Case Management and Support Coordination team can help you work through it, or you can raise it directly at your next plan review.
SIL vs SDA vs Short-Term Accommodation: What’s the Difference?
These three terms get mixed up constantly, so here’s the short version:
| Support | What it funds |
| SIL | The support workers who help you with daily tasks in your home |
| SDA | The physical home itself — built or modified for accessibility and high support needs |
| STA (Respite) | Short, temporary stays away from home, often for a break for you or your carers |
If you’re weighing up longer-term accommodation, our guide to Specialist Disability Accommodation breaks down how SDA funding works. If it’s a short break or trial stay you’re after rather than a permanent move, have a look at our explainer on NDIS Short-Term Accommodation and respite care instead.
How SIL Funding Actually Works: The Roster of Care
Once the NDIA agrees SIL is appropriate for you, your provider builds what’s called a Roster of Care (RoC) — a detailed weekly breakdown of exactly when and how much support you need, hour by hour. This might include, for example, two hours of morning personal care, shared overnight support with a housemate, and a few hours of community access support each week.
The Roster of Care helps demonstrate the type, amount and frequency of supports required based on the participant’s daily routines and goals. The NDIA considers this information alongside other relevant evidence when making funding decisions.
How to Access SIL in Sydney: Step by Step
- Confirm your NDIS plan includes a home and living goal. If it doesn’t yet, this needs to be discussed at a planning meeting or plan reassessment.
- Complete a Supported Independent Living assessment, if requested by the NDIA, to establish your functional support needs.
- Choose a provider who understands your goals and can build a Roster of Care that genuinely reflects your needs.
- Review clinical and support documentation with your chosen provider — this typically includes your NDIS plan and any relevant clinical or allied health reports.
- Arrange a home tour, if you’re moving into a new SIL home, so you can see the property and meet potential housemates or existing residents.
- Work with your provider to prepare a Roster of Care and supporting information that can be provided as part of the SIL approval process.
- Begin your support, with your provider assigning compatible support workers and settling you into your new routine.
If you’d like a refresher on the broader NDIS application journey before this stage, our guide on how to apply for the NDIS in 2026 covers eligibility and the Access Request process from the very start.
What to Look for in a Sydney SIL Provider
Not all SIL providers are equal, and this is one area where it genuinely pays to ask questions before signing a Service Agreement. Look for:
- NDIS registration for the specific supports you need, along with clear evidence of compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards
- Clinical governance — is there qualified health leadership overseeing complex or high-intensity support needs?
- Transparent staff screening, including NDIS Worker Screening Checks, National Police Checks, and relevant certifications
- A genuine say in who supports you — you should be able to meet proposed support workers before they’re assigned to your care
- Clear, responsive communication, especially around incidents, scheduling changes, and complaints handling
- Participant choice and control — does the provider listen to your preferences, involve you in decisions and support you to have control over your daily routines?
How Assure Ability Delivers SIL Across Sydney
Assure Ability is a registered NDIS provider led by healthcare professionals, offering Supported Independent Living homes across Greater Sydney, including properties in Rossmore and Cabramatta. Our process is designed to be simple and stress-free:
- Call our intake team on 1300 263 544 to discuss your situation
- We review your NDIS plan and any relevant clinical reports
- If it’s a good match, we arrange a home tour so you can see the property for yourself
- We compile your Roster of Care and submit it to the NDIA for funding approval
- You meet your proposed support workers before your support begins
You can view our current openings on our SIL and SDA Vacancies page, learn more about our clinical-led approach on our About Us page, or browse more common questions on our NDIS FAQs page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SIL pay my rent in Sydney?
No. SIL only funds the support workers who assist you with daily tasks. Rent, board, groceries, and utility bills are paid separately from your own budget, not your SIL funding.
Can I live alone and still receive SIL support?
Yes. While SIL is most common in shared living arrangements where support is split across housemates, it can also fund individual one-to-one support if that’s what your assessed needs require.
What’s the difference between SIL and SDA?
SIL funds the people who support you day to day. SDA funds the physical home itself when it has been built or modified for accessibility and higher support needs. Many participants in a specialist home receive both at once.
How long does it take to get SIL funding approved?
It depends on how quickly your Roster of Care and supporting evidence are prepared and how promptly the NDIA processes your request. A provider experienced in building accurate Rosters of Care can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Can I choose my own support workers under SIL?
Yes. Reputable providers, including Assure Ability, arrange meet-and-greets so you can get to know proposed support workers and confirm they’re a good fit before they’re added to your schedule.
Where does Assure Ability offer SIL homes in Sydney?
We currently operate SIL homes in areas including Rossmore and Cabramatta, with support delivered across Greater Sydney more broadly. Contact our team to ask about current vacancies near you.