Supported Independent Living , better known as SIL , is one of the most significant and life-changing supports available under the NDIS. For Melbourne participants who want to live more independently but require around-the-clock or high-frequency support, SIL funding can make that a reality. This guide explains what SIL is, who qualifies, how the funding works, and how to begin the process of accessing it.

What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

SIL is an NDIS support that funds assistance with daily tasks in a shared or individual living arrangement, enabling participants who cannot live independently without significant support to do so in a home setting rather than a clinical facility. SIL funding pays for the support workers who assist participants with their daily routines , things like personal care, meal preparation, medication management, and overnight supervision , rather than the physical accommodation itself. It can be provided in a shared house with other NDIS participants, in an individual home, or within a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property.

Who Is SIL For?

SIL is designed for participants who:

• Require daily or overnight support that cannot be provided by informal carers
• Want to live independently but need high levels of active support
• Are transitioning out of a hospital, group home, or family home
• Have complex support needs requiring consistent, structured care

The NDIA assesses each participant's SIL needs through a SIL assessment process, which typically involves an occupational therapist report, a SIL Roster of Care, and supporting documentation from your care team. Because SIL involves significant ongoing funding, the assessment is thorough.

How Does SIL Funding Work?

SIL is funded under Core Supports , Assistance with Daily Life (Category 01) in your NDIS plan. Unlike most NDIS supports which have a set hourly rate, SIL funding is calculated as a Roster of Care , a detailed breakdown of the specific support hours and staffing ratios required each day of the week. For example, a participant April need one-to-one active support during waking hours and overnight supervision, which translates to a specific weekly funding amount. The NDIA reviews the Roster of Care and approves a total SIL amount that reflects the actual staffing cost of the support model.

The 2025-26 NDIS Price Guide rates for SIL supports vary based on the ratio of support (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) and the time of day, with overnight monitoring rates differing from active overnight support rates.

SIL vs SDA , What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most commonly confused distinctions in the NDIS. SIL is the support funding , it pays for the workers. SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) is the housing funding , it pays for the physical property. Not all SIL participants live in SDA. Many live in standard rental properties or shared houses, with the SIL provider funding the support staffing. SDA is a separate, additional funding stream for participants who require purpose-built, accessible housing.

What Does Daily Life Look Like With SIL?

In a SIL arrangement, you typically live in a shared house with two to four other NDIS participants, with a support team rostered across the week. Your day might include:

• Assistance with morning personal care and preparing for the day
• Support to attend community activities, appointments, and social events
• Meal preparation and shared household tasks
• Evening support with medication, hygiene, and settling in for the night
• Overnight supervision or active overnight support as required

At Bell's NSS, SIL support is tailored to each participant's goals , not a one-size-fits-all roster. We work with participants, families, and support coordinators to design a living arrangement and support model that genuinely reflects the participant's preferences and aspirations.

How to Apply for SIL in Melbourne

1. Speak with your support coordinator , they coordinate the SIL assessment and NDIA submission process.
2. Commission an occupational therapist assessment documenting your functional capacity and support needs.
3. Develop a Roster of Care with a SIL provider, detailing proposed support hours and staffing.
4. Submit to the NDIA for consideration at your next plan review or via a formal plan change request.