Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the most sought-after types of funding in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It helps people with significant disability live in daily life live in shared homes with 24/7 or part-time support. But SIL is not available to everyone on the NDIS — the eligibility rules are strict.

So, who can actually access Supported Independent Living (SIL) through the NDIS? Here’s everything you need to know in plain English.

1. You Must Be an NDIS Participant First

To even be considered for SIL, you need to already have an approved NDIS plan. If you’re not yet a participant, the first step is applying for NDIS access and meeting the disability or early intervention requirements (under 65 years old, Australian resident, and significant permanent disability).

2. You Need “High” or “Complex” Support Needs

SIL is not for everyone who wants to move out of home or live with friends. The NDIS only funds SIL when a person requires:

• Active support for most daily living tasks for a significant part of the day, or

• 24-hour support (including overnight) because of very high needs or safety risks

Common examples include:

• People with severe intellectual disability

• Significant physical disability requiring help with transfers, personal care, meals, and medication

• Autism with very high support needs (Level 3)

• Complex behaviours of concern that require constant supervision

• Complex health needs (e.g., ventilator dependence, frequent seizures)

If you can live fairly independently with occasional drop-in support or just a few hours a day, the NDIS will usually fund Individualised Living Options (ILO) or Medium Term Accommodation instead — not SIL.

3. You Generally Need to Live with Other People (Shared Support)

The NDIS prefers the “shared support” model because it is more cost-effective. This means SIL funding is almost always approved for 1:2, 1:3 or 1:4 ratios (one support worker looking after two, three or four participants).

Living alone (1:1 SIL) is possible but extremely rare and only approved when:

• No suitable housemates can be found after genuine attempts, or

• Living with others would pose serious safety or health risks

The NDIS will ask for evidence that shared living was explored first.

4. Age Limits

• You must be at least 18 years old for standard SIL.

• 16–17 year olds can sometimes get SIL if they are transitioning out of out-of-home care or family home, but this is assessed case-by-case.

• There is no upper age limit as long as you entered the NDIS before turning 65.

5. Your Current Living Situation Doesn’t Automatically Qualify You

Living with ageing parents, in a group home, hospital, or residential aged care does not automatically make you eligible for SIL. The NDIS looks at your support needs, not just where you live now live.

Many people assume “I’ve always needed 24/7 care, so I should get SIL”. Unfortunately, the NDIA will still require recent assessments proving the level of support is still necessary and reasonable.

6. Evidence You Must Provide

When requesting SIL in your NDIS plan (or plan review), the NDIA usually asks for:

• A completed Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessment Report from an occupational therapist or allied health professional

• Current support logs showing how many hours of support you actually receive now

• Rosters from your current provider (if applicable)

• Behaviour Support Plan (if behaviours of concern exist)

• Evidence that shared living options were explored

Without strong evidence, even people with very high needs can have SIL rejected.

7. What SIL Funding Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

If approved, SIL funding pays for the support worker hours in the shared home (personal care, meal prep, community access, overnight support, etc.). It does NOT pay for:

• Rent or mortgage

• Utilities, food, internet

• Home modifications

• Transport

• Day programs or therapy

Those items come from other parts of your NDIS plan (Core – Assistance with Social & Community Participation, Capital – Home Modifications, etc.).

8. Common Myths About SIL Eligibility

• Myth: “If I’m on the NDIS, I can choose SIL.” Reality: Only about 12–15% of NDIS participants receive SIL funding.

• Myth: “I can live wherever I want with SIL.” Reality: The NDIS must agree the house and the support ratio are “reasonable and necessary”.

• Myth: “My parents say I need 24/7 care, so I’ll get SIL.” Reality: Parental statements alone are not enough — independent assessments are required.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting SIL Approved

1. Start preparing 6–12 months before your plan review.

2. Ask your support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to arrange a SIL assessment early.

3. Get reports from multiple professionals (OT, speech pathologist, psychologist, current provider).

4. Show evidence of trying to find suitable housemates (vacancy listings, provider meetings).

5. Be realistic about support ratios — requesting 1:1 from the beginning usually leads to rejection.

Final Thoughts

Supported Independent Living can be life-changing, offering the chance to move out of the family home, leave institutional settings, or live with chosen housemates. But the bar is deliberately high to make sure the funding goes to those who truly need 24/7 or very high support.

If you’re wondering “Can I access Supported Independent Living (SIL) through the NDIS?”, the honest answer is: maybe — but only if your disability significantly affects your ability to live independently and you need a high level of paid support every day.