Are you or a family member looking for the right living arrangement and need assistance with daily activities? It can be a big decision, so finding the right support matters. If you’re exploring different support options, you may consider Supported Independent Living (SIL).
SIL can provide support with everyday activities while helping a person build independence at home.
If you’re considering SIL in Adelaide or anywhere in South Australia, it helps to understand who it may suit, how the support works, what SIL funding covers, and what to look for when choosing a provider and living arrangement.
Understanding SIL Under the NDIS
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an NDIS-funded support for people who generally need assistance or supervision with day-to-day activities at home. This involves personal care assistance by support workers, such as getting dressed, showering, and cooking and eating meals.
SIL isn’t the same as just living in a shared house. It’s about offering the right balance of support so a person can live more independently while still receiving the care they need.
Who Is SIL for?
The NDIS states that SIL is likely to apply to people who require active disability support for more than 8 hours per day but also need some level of support or supervision for the remaining hours. Conversely, someone who requires support for less than 24 hours may be better supported by other NDIS services.
So, now the question isn’t simply whether someone has a disability. Rather, the NDIS considers the person’s support needs, daily activities, goals, and circumstances to determine whether SIL is appropriate.
Professional assessments and other evidence also establish the type and amount of support a participant requires.
How SIL Support Levels Are Determined
SIL support depends on how much help someone needs and how often they need it. Rather than assuming everyone needs the same, the NDIS considers factors such as:
- The participant’s daily support needs
- How much active assistance they require
- Whether they need supervision at other times
- Personal care requirements
- Behaviour or safety-related support needs
- The skills they are working towards developing
- Whether support needs are likely to change
The current NDIS participant SIL page does not outline a simple three-level participant funding system. Current NDIS provider guidance distinguishes between standard and high-intensity pricing, with high-intensity supports applying where workers need additional qualifications or experience to meet complex support needs.
This is why SIL funding should be based on the participant’s actual support requirements, not a generic package.
How Does SIL Work in Practice?
The SIL process can involve several stages, from understanding a participant’s support needs to establishing an appropriate living arrangement.
First, the NDIS planning process considers the participant’s home and living needs. Relevant assessments, reports and information about daily support needs may help explain why SIL is appropriate.
If SIL is being considered, a provider may work with the participant to develop a Roster of Care. This outlines the participant’s weekly support needs and how those supports are expected to be delivered. The NDIS explains that a Roster of Care is one piece of information used when determining the reasonable and necessary level of support required.
The participant can then explore suitable providers and living arrangements. This may involve visiting homes, discussing support arrangements, meeting staff and considering whether the environment and other residents are a good fit.
Once the arrangement is established, SIL supports are delivered in the home. The participant’s needs and goals should continue to guide how those supports are provided.
If circumstances change, the support arrangement may also need to be reviewed.
What Does SIL Funding Cover?
SIL funding is intended to pay for eligible support that helps a participant live as independently as possible. This can include assistance with:
- Personal care
- Showering and dressing
- Preparing and eating meals
- Household tasks
- Developing daily living skills
- Establishing routines
- Social skills and community participation
- Attending appointments where appropriate
SIL funding does not pay for ordinary day-to-day living costs, such as rent or groceries. Participants must manage these expenses separately.
SIL funding is not the same as property funding. If a participant is eligible for SDA, SDA funding covers specialist housing, while SIL funding covers support workers.
What is a Roster of Care?
A Roster of Care is a tool used to outline the participant’s weekly support requirements and how those supports will be delivered.
It can include information about the type and intensity of assistance needed, such as regular, overnight, or higher-intensity supports where relevant. The NDIS says providers should develop the roster in consultation with the participant or their nominee.
Importantly, the Roster of Care is not the only information used to determine SIL funding. Other evidence, including assessments and reports about the participant’s support and accommodation needs, may also be considered.
Living in a Shared SIL Home
SIL does not necessarily mean living alone. You, as a participant, may share a home with other NDIS participants or, depending on your circumstances, have a different living arrangement.
For people considering shared living, the practical details matter just as much as the support itself.
Before choosing a home, it can be helpful to consider:
- Whether the location suits your routines and community connections
- How much privacy you will have
- How shared areas are managed
- Whether your routines and preferences are compatible with potential housemates
- How support workers operate within the home
- What happens if your living needs change
A suitable SIL Home should support independence while also respecting personal choice, privacy and individual routines.
Finding Supported Independent Living in Adelaide
If you are looking for supported independent living in Adelaide, don’t choose a provider based only on whether they have a vacancy.
Consider the home’s location, accessibility, support arrangements, staff experience, and whether the living environment matches your needs and preferences.
You may also want to ask:
- What SIL homes are currently available?
- What level of support is provided?
- How are support workers rostered?
- Who currently lives in the home?
- Can I visit before deciding?
- How are housemate compatibility and individual routines considered?
- What happens if my support needs change?
A Support Coordinator may also help you explore providers and compare suitable options. The NDIS notes that participants with SIL funding may have Support Coordinator funding available, and that a Support Coordinator can help find providers.
For participants in South Australia, considering the home’s location is particularly important. Access to transport, appointments, community activities, family and other important services can all influence whether an arrangement works well in everyday life.
Getting SIL Included in Your NDIS Plan
If you think SIL may be appropriate, start by discussing your home and living needs as part of the NDIS planning process.
You may need evidence that explains:
- What assistance you require during the day
- Whether you need supervision at other times
- What you can currently do independently
- What skills you are working towards
- Why your current living arrangement is not meeting your needs
- What type of living arrangement and support would better meet your goals
The NDIS considers information about the participant’s support and accommodation needs, including relevant assessments and reports, when making SIL decisions.
If SIL is approved, you can then explore suitable providers and living arrangements. You can choose your provider, and the provider should work with you to understand your needs and agree on how your supports will be delivered.
SIL provider requirements also changed on 1 July 2026. Providers delivering SIL must be registered, or apply to register by 1 October 2026. The NDIS states that a participant’s plan and funding will not change as a result of this registration transition.
Frequently Asked Questions About SIL
Can I choose my SIL provider?
Yes. You can explore providers and choose one that suits your support needs and preferences. A Support Coordinator may also help you compare available options.
Does SIL pay for rent?
No. SIL funding is for eligible support, not ordinary living expenses such as rent or groceries.
What is the difference between SIL and SDA?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) funds can help a person with day-to-day activities that support independence. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) houses are specialist accommodation for individuals with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
Can SIL and SDA be used together?
Yes. Some participants have both SIL and SDA because they cover different things. SDA relates to specialist housing, while SIL relates to in-home support.
What is a SIL Roster of Care?
A Roster of Care outlines a participant’s weekly support needs and how those supports will be delivered. It is one source of information used to determine appropriate SIL funding.
Can I live alone with SIL?
The NDIS states that participants may receive SIL while living with other NDIS participants or on their own, depending on their support needs.
Can I change my SIL provider?
If your current arrangement is no longer suitable, you can discuss your concerns with your provider and explore other options. A Support Coordinator may also help you consider alternative providers.
Can my SIL supports change if my needs change?
Your support needs can change over time. If your circumstances or support requirements change significantly, you may need to provide updated information so your NDIS supports can be reviewed.
How much does SIL cost?
There is no single SIL price that applies to every participant. The amount of support required, the type and intensity of support, and the applicable NDIS pricing arrangements can affect the funding involved. Current NDIS provider guidance includes standard and high-intensity pricing arrangements.
Conclusion
Supported Independent Living is more than choosing a place to live. It is about having the right level of support to manage everyday life, build skills and work towards greater independence.
For someone considering SIL in Adelaide or South Australia, the process starts with understanding individual support needs and finding out whether SIL is appropriate. From there, support arrangements can be planned, a Roster of Care developed, and suitable providers and living arrangements explored.
At EasAbility, we support NDIS participants in exploring SIL options that align with their individual needs, preferences and goals. Our team can help participants understand their options and transition into SIL with the right support.
The right SIL arrangement should reflect the participant’s needs, preferences and goals. It should also allow those needs to change over time.
EasAbility Care – General Information Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, medical, or NDIS advice. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the content, EasAbility Care makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information provided.
Please note:
- EasAbility Care provides a range of disability support services designed to assist NDIS participants in achieving their goals, increasing independence, well-being, and community participation.
- EasAbility Care offers various NDIS-related supports, and the availability of specific services may vary depending on individual circumstances, funding, and location.
- Eligibility for NDIS funding and related support is determined solely by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) based on a participant’s individual needs, goals, and assessments.
- Access to services, funding approvals, and support arrangements may vary depending on a participant’s NDIS plan and personal circumstances.
- Users should seek independent advice from the NDIA, Support Coordinators, Support Workers, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, General Practitioners, or other qualified professionals before making decisions based on the information available on this website.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, EasAbility Care accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information contained on this website. This disclaimer may be updated at any time without notice.
