Supported Independent Living (SIL)
NDIS Service in Adelaide

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an essential home and daily living support for people with disability who want to live independently but need regular help with everyday tasks. With SIL, NDIS participants receive assistance and coaching from skilled support workers in a shared home or apartment—with support tailored to their own goals, preferences, and abilities. The focus is not only on daily routines (like cooking or cleaning) but on helping you build skills for lasting, life-changing independence.

SIL can include help with personal care, meal planning, medication, laundry, cleaning, filling in forms, community participation, and more. Think of it as having a support team who are also your housemates, helping you lead a safe, empowered, and fulfilling life.

SIL lets you choose your own path—where to live, who supports you, how you run your home, and how you participate in your community. By reducing reliance on family/informal carers, SIL boosts your self-esteem, develops long-term life skills, and allows you to take real control of your own life.
Benefits include:

SIL is usually recommended if you:

• Have significant functional impairment and require regular help at home
• Are 18+ and ready to leave the family home
• Need support with daily tasks (personal care, household, budgeting)
• Need overnight/24-hour support (or on-call overnight)

How to apply:

• Step 1: Discuss in your NDIS plan meeting with a support coordinator
• Step 2: Gather OT or allied health assessments showing need for 24/7/daily support [[3](https://www.rise.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/how-to-access-ndis-supported-independent-living-funding)][[4](https://www.claro.com.au/supported-independent-living/)]
• Step 3: Choose a SIL provider, create a detailed roster of care & goals
• Step 4: NDIA review and funding decision (may require further info)

NDIS covers the cost of support staff and personal assistance, while everyday living expenses (rent, food, utilities) are funded by the participant, pension, or SDA.

SIL covers all supports provided by staff so you can live an independent life. Examples of covered services:

• Personal care (dressing, bathing, grooming)
• Household tasks (cleaning, laundry, cooking)
• Menu planning, grocery shopping coaching
• Budgeting help and managing utilities
• Reminders for medication, health appointments
• Support to join community events, work or study
• Active/sleepover overnight support for safety
• Training: develop autonomy, life skills [[2](https://shiftcare.com/blog/the-comprehensive-guide-to-understanding-supported-independent-living-sils)]

SIL does NOT cover:

• Rent or housing costs (apply for SDA or use DSP/other funding)
• Bills and groceries
• Daily supports outside the home (e.g. work, school)
• Major home modifications (apply separately)

A clear, written Service Agreement protects your rights, outlining your supports, staff, schedules, and outcomes before SIL begins.

Daily routines are based on your choices:

• Set your own goals & routines with your key worker(s)
• Choose meal times, activities, relaxation, outings
• Participate in cooking, cleaning, budgeting
• Access to 24-hour support for emergencies, reassurance, and companionship
• Enjoy shared spaces (kitchen, garden, living) and private rooms
• Join workshops (gardening, sports, art/craft, digital skills)
• Regular family/carer engagement and progress reviews
• Move towards more independence – even transitioning to less intense supports over time

Modern SIL homes are wheelchair accessible, feature technology for safety (alarms, cameras, apps), and foster genuine friendships.

Our SIL participants say:

• Increased confidence and wellbeing
• Stable, long-term accommodation = peace of mind
• Lifelong skills: learning to plan, advocate, and participate
• Culturally inclusive, flexible, and participant-led support
• Measurable plan outcomes and regular NDIS reviews