Supported Independent Living, almost always shortened to SIL, is NDIS funding for paid support with daily tasks in the home where a person lives — usually for people who need significant help throughout the day and often overnight. SIL funds the support, not the housing: rent, groceries and utilities are still paid from a person's own income.
What SIL includes
SIL supports are built around each resident's needs and goals, and may include:
- Personal care and self-care assistance
- Domestic assistance
- Skill development and life skills building
- Community access
- 1:1 or shared supports for participants with higher care needs
Stability, safety and independence
Whether a participant prefers greater independence or the opportunity to build skills and social connections in a shared home, our accommodation supports are designed to promote safety, stability and everyday independence.
Our SIL homes are supported by small, consistent, well-trained teams with Registered Nurse oversight and a 24/7 on-call service — and behaviour support and psychology sit in-house, so clinical help is never far away. We provide SIL services across Newcastle.
What a good SIL match actually depends on
The building matters less than most people expect. What determines whether a SIL arrangement works is who else lives there, whether the support model matches the level of support genuinely needed, and whether the staff team is stable enough for people to build trust with them.
Household compatibility is the part most often rushed. Putting people together because a vacancy exists, rather than because the mix makes sense, is the most common reason a placement breaks down — and a breakdown costs the participant far more than a longer wait would have. We would rather hold a vacancy than fill it badly, and we will say so if we do not think a match is right, even when a bed is sitting empty.
Common questions
How is SIL different from ILO?
SIL provides ongoing (often 24/7) support in a shared home. Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a more flexible package built around your own living arrangement — for example living alone with drop-in support, or with a host. We offer both and can help you work out which fits.
Does SIL pay my rent?
No. SIL funds the support, not the housing. Rent, board and everyday living costs are paid separately, usually from the Disability Support Pension or other income - the same way any tenant pays for where they live. It is the single most common misunderstanding about SIL, so it is worth being clear about early.
Do I have to live with other people?
Not necessarily. SIL is most commonly delivered in a shared home where two or three residents split the cost of shared overnight and daytime support, because that is what makes higher levels of support affordable. It can also be delivered to someone living alone where the need justifies it.
How is the amount of SIL funding worked out?
From a roster of care - a week-by-week picture of the support you actually need, including overnight, built with you and agreed with the NDIS. It is not a flat rate, and two people in the same house can have very different SIL funding depending on their needs.
Do I get a say in who supports me?
Yes. Our rostering lead works with each resident to approve their own team, so the people coming into your home are faces you know rather than whoever was available. Our SIL homes run with small, consistent teams for exactly this reason.
Do you have SIL vacancies?
Vacancies change, so we publish them rather than making you ask. Our current homes and any openings are listed on this page, and our live [capacity board](/capacity) shows which services and areas are accepting referrals right now.
