Update: All providers delivering SIL and NDIS digital platform services must be registered from 1 July 2026. Your provider has until 1 October to apply to register.
Your plan and NDIS funding won’t change. We’ll help you understand your options if your provider doesn’t register.
You don’t need to make any changes if you organise or employ your own support workers.
Learn more about changes to SIL provider registration.
What supported independent living (SIL) is
Supported independent living (SIL) is funding for a support worker to help you for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may share a support worker or have an individual support worker, depending on how much help you need. The support worker will help or supervise day-to-day tasks within your home. SIL can help you:
- be as independent as possible
- learn new skills.
It is not SIL if you only need a few hours of support a day or week, or if you choose and manage your own support workers through directing, planning and rostering your own supports.
What supported independent living (SIL) is for
For people with high support needs
SIL is for people that need a high level of support from a support worker in their home all the time. Support workers can help with daily tasks like:
- personal care, showering and getting dressed
- eating and cooking meals
- household tasks, like cleaning.
For people who need some level of support all day
SIL may also be suitable for you if you need both:
- active disability support for more than 8 hours per day to complete daily activities
- some level of support or supervision for the other hours – you need support or supervision for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tip: Need support for less than 24 hours a day?
SIL might not be for you if you need support for less than 24 hours a day. We may look at other supports instead.
Focused on building your skills and independence
SIL is designed to help you live as independently as possible while building your skills.
SIL funded support workers can help you develop social skills or attend appointments.
Tip: What's the difference between SIL and SDA?
Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is the housing itself. They are homes specifically built for people with very high support needs. It doesn't cover the supports from support workers within the home.
SIL isn't housing itself, but funding for support workers to help you.
Some people have both SDA and SIL in their plans. Learn more in the guide to your NDIS home and living options.
What supported independent living (SIL) is like
You can get SIL if you live with other NDIS participants or on your own
This depends on your disability support needs.
There might be other home and living options that suit you better if you live with people who are not NDIS participants, but need support.
Tip: Is SIL right for you?
You can talk to your my NDIS contact, treating health professional or NDIA planner about the options that might suit your needs best.
Learn more about how to ask for home and living supports.
It can’t be used for day-to-day expenses
SIL can’t be used for things like rent or other day-to-day expenses like groceries. It's important your NDIS funds are spent in line with the NDIS supports list.
Your support coordinator can help you find providers
You may have funding for a support coordinator if you have SIL funding in your NDIS plan.
A support coordinator can help you find providers so you can live safely in your home.
You can also look for providers using our provider finder.
Our Guideline
Download the SIL guideline:
- Supported independent living (PDF 248.52 KB)
- Supported independent living (DOCX 92.98 KB)