Supported Independent Living Vacancies 2025

The cost of Supported Independent Living in Australia depends on your individual support needs, the number of people you live with, and the hours of care you require. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements set SIL funding and include costs for daily living assistance, such as personal care, cooking, cleaning, and overnight support. While there’s no fixed national rate, the average annual SIL funding for participants is between AUD 80,000 and AUD 320,000.

Yes. If your needs meet the eligibility criteria, the NDIS will fund SIL as part of your plan under the “Core Supports: Assistance with Daily Life” budget. SIL funding is provided when it is deemed “reasonable and necessary” to help you live as independently as possible. This funding covers the costs of paid support workers who assist with personal care, household tasks, medication management, and community access. However, it does not pay for housing costs, meals, or other personal lifestyle expenses; you will need to budget for those separately.

To qualify for SIL, you must be an NDIS participant with significant support needs that require 24/7 supervision or substantial daily assistance. The NDIS will request a Functional Capacity Assessment, allied health reports, and sometimes behavioural assessments to determine your eligibility. You’ll also need to work with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to submit a SIL Request Form. The decision is based on your individual needs, your goals for independent living, and whether SIL is the most appropriate and cost-effective support option for you.

No. SIL is considered a high-risk support category under the NDIS, which means it can only be delivered by providers who are officially registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This ensures that all providers meet strict quality, safety, and compliance standards. Unregistered providers cannot claim SIL funding from the NDIS, and using one may put your plan and supports at risk.

Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a flexible living arrangement designed for people with lower or moderate support needs who want more control over where and how they live. ILO happens in two stages: (1) Exploration and Design, where you work with a provider to explore different living arrangements, choose housemates, and design your support plan; and (2) Supports Implementation, where the agreed living arrangement is put in place and monitored. ILO can include formal supports from paid workers as well as informal supports from friends, family, or community members. The funding is tailored to your specific situation, but it does not cover the cost of rent or utilities.

The main difference lies in the level of support and structure. SIL is for people with high or complex needs who require 24/7 paid support, often in shared accommodation. ILO, on the other hand, offers more flexible, personalised living options for people with lower to moderate needs, combining paid and informal support. SIL is more structured and provider-driven, while ILO is participant-driven and adaptable, allowing you to choose your living arrangement, support network, and daily routine.

SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) refers to the physical housing, specially designed or modified to meet the needs of people with significant functional impairments. SIL refers to the daily support services provided within the home. Think of SDA as the “building” and SIL as the “care and assistance” that happens inside it. You can have SIL without SDA if you live in a regular home, but SDA funding is only available for those with extreme functional needs who require specialist housing.

Yes. The NDIS may fund SDA for eligible participants who have very high support needs or extreme functional impairments. SDA funding is separate from SIL and covers the cost of specialist housing design features such as wheelchair accessibility, assistive technology installations, and reinforced structures for safety. 

Yes. You can rent your property to NDIS participants, provided it meets accessibility, safety, and suitability standards. If you want your property to be eligible for SDA funding, it must be built or modified to SDA specifications and be registered with the NDIS. Many landlords also work directly with supported living providers who manage tenants and ensure the home meets participants’ needs.

Yes. You don’t need SDA to receive SIL funding. Many SIL participants live in standard rental homes, apartments, or shared houses without specialist modifications. In these cases, the NDIS funds the support workers, but you or your provider is responsible for securing the housing arrangement and covering rent and utilities.

In most cases, yes, but it depends on the specific SIL home, the provider’s policies, and agreements with other housemates. Some homes welcome pets as part of creating a comfortable, homely environment, while others may have restrictions due to allergies, safety, or care requirements. If having a pet is important to you, discuss it with your provider before moving in so it can be factored into your living arrangement.

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