Understanding Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Supported Independent Living, commonly referred to as SIL, is funding within an NDIS plan for help or supervision with daily tasks in your home . It provides support worker assistance around the home to help you live as independently as possible while building your skills .

SIL is specifically designed for people with higher support needs who require some level of help at home all the time—typically 24 hours a day, 7 days a week .

Currently, over 24,000 NDIS participants receive SIL funding, representing approximately 6% of all participants and around 30% of total NDIS funding .

Who Is SIL For?

SIL is best suited for participants who need a significant amount of help throughout the day, every day . This includes:

• Active support for more than 8 hours per day to complete daily activities
• Support or supervision for the remaining hours (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Overnight support (either active or sleepover/inactive) 

SIL may not be right for you if you need support for less than 24 hours a day. In such cases, the NDIS may look at other home and living supports instead .

What Supports Does SIL Cover?

SIL funding covers support workers who help with a wide range of daily tasks within your home :

Personal Care:

• Showering and getting dressed
• Personal hygiene and appearance
• Toileting and continence support

Household Tasks:

• Eating and cooking meals
• Cleaning and household chores
• Meal planning and preparation

Skill Building:

• Developing daily routines
• Learning new independent living skills
• Household budgeting and bill paying

Health and Safety:

• Medication management
• Attending medical appointments
• Personal safety and security supervision

Community and Social:

• Developing social skills
• Attending therapy sessions
• Visiting family or friends outside the home
• Community access for personal tasks

Behaviour Support:

• Carrying out behaviour support plans
• Supervision and crisis management

What SIL Does NOT Cover

It is equally important to understand what SIL funding cannot be used for :

SIL vs SDA: What’s the Difference?

One of the most common points of confusion is the difference between SIL and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) .

• SIL (Supported Independent Living): Funding for support workers to help you with daily tasks. This is about the supports provided in your home.
• SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation): Funding for the physical home itself. This includes specially designed or modified homes for people with very high support needs.

Some participants have both SIL and SDA in their plans. You can live in SDA housing while receiving SIL support from workers who help you with daily tasks .

Living Arrangements with SIL

You can receive SIL funding in different living situations :

• With other NDIS participants in a shared home (most common)
• On your own (though other home and living supports might suit better)

If you live with people who are not NDIS participants but need support, there may be other home and living options that suit you better .

How Do You Get SIL Included in Your NDIS Plan?

Accessing SIL funding requires demonstrating that it meets the NDIS “reasonable and necessary” criteria .

Step 1: Occupational Therapy Functional Capacity Assessment

An Occupational Therapist (OT) completes an in-depth assessment in your home addressing every aspect of your daily life. The OT’s report must include specific details about :

• The ratio of support required (how many support workers)
• The intensity of support needed (type and quality of care)
• The best context for this support (living model that suits you)
• Support required across the day and overnight
• Why your informal supports (family) cannot meet all your needs

Step 2: Work with a Support Coordinator

Participants receiving SIL must also have funding for a support coordinator. The support coordinator will :

• Help you find a suitable SIL provider
• Coordinate all supporting documentation
• Submit the Home and Living Request to the NDIS

Step 3: SIL Provider Quote

Your chosen SIL provider creates a quote based on your specific support needs .

Step 4: Submit Home and Living Request

Your support coordinator submits the request to the NDIS via :

• Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au
• In person at your local NDIS office

The NDIS reviews all evidence, including the OT report and provider quote, to decide whether SIL funding is approved .

What the NDIS Considers When Approving SIL

The NDIS evaluates SIL requests against six key criteria :

1. Goals: Will SIL help you pursue and achieve the goals in your plan?
2. Social and Economic Participation: Will SIL help you participate in community and economic activities?
3. Value for Money: Is the cost reasonable compared to benefits and alternative supports?
4. Effective and Beneficial: Will SIL actually meet your disability-related needs?
5. Reasonable Expectations for Family: Is it unreasonable to expect family members to provide this level of long-term support?
6. Related to NDIS & Your Disability: Is SIL most appropriately funded through the NDIS rather than another system?

What Overnight Support Looks Like

SIL funding typically includes overnight support, which comes in two forms :

• Active overnight support: More than two hours of direct assistance is provided during the night
• Inactive or sleepover support: Less than two hours of assistance, with the support worker sleeping on-site

Do I Need Support Coordination with SIL?

Yes. The NDIS requires that participants receiving SIL also have funding for a support coordinator .

Support coordination is integral to SIL because your coordinator will:

• Explore your housing goals
• Find and connect you with suitable SIL providers
• Coordinate all supporting documentation
• Submit your Home and Living request to the NDIS
• Help negotiate service agreements 

SIL for Specific Disability Types

SIL is available for participants with various disabilities, including:

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): Due to high support needs, SIL is typically required for participants with complex ABI. The NDIS considers functional capacity assessments and evidence of how the disability impacts daily living .
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): SIL can provide the 24/7 support many participants with spinal cord injury require. The support must relate directly to the SCI and any co-occurring conditions .

Current Challenges and Future Changes

The NDIS acknowledges that SIL needs improvement. Key challenges identified include :

• Inconsistent funding decisions: Two participants with the same needs may not receive the same supports
• Limited participant choice: Less than 20% of participants feel they choose who supports them
• Conflicts of interest: Many participants receive SIL and support coordination from the same provider
• Rising costs: SIL costs are increasing faster than other NDIS services

The NDIS has proposed six principles for future changes to SIL :

1. Giving participants support to make decisions about their SIL funding
2. Supporting participants to be independent and learn new skills
3. Making the SIL process simpler and more consistent
4. Helping providers develop new ways to deliver SIL
5. Ensuring participants get the supports they need
6. Keeping participants safe at all times

Summary: Key Takeaways About SIL

Need Help Accessing SIL Funding?

Navigating the SIL process can feel complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. A1 Healthcare Solutions can connect you with experienced support coordinators and SIL providers who understand your needs.

Contact A1 Healthcare Solutions:

 Call 1300 366 453 to speak with a disability support specialist

Visit a1healthcaresolutions.com.au to learn more about our home and living support services