The Langford guide to SIL: What is it, who is eligible, and how to get started?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the most significant types of assistance funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
It is designed to help people with disability live as independently as possible while receiving the daily support they need. Whether someone lives in a shared home, a unit with shared supports, or their own place, SIL can provide the right level of assistance to build confidence, maintain safety and develop important life skills.
In this article, we break down what SIL is, the types of support that are included, and who might be eligible (all based on official NDIS guidance).
What is SIL?
According to the NDIS, Supported Independent Living provides support or supervision with daily tasks so participants can live as independently as possible while building their skills.
It includes assistance with personal care, cooking meals, daily routines, and other tasks that help someone live safely at home.
SIL is specifically designed for people with higher support needs, meaning they require help throughout the day, and often overnight, to live safely. This support can be provided in shared accommodation with other NDIS participants or, in some circumstances, to people living on their own.
At Langford, SIL supports can be delivered in a Langford property, or a property that the participant is already living in.
Key features of SIL
- Help with personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming and hygiene
- Assistance with daily activities like meal preparation, household chores, medication prompts and mobility support
- Overnight or 24‑hour assistance, depending on the participant’s needs
- Skill‑building support, encouraging independence over time
SIL funds are used to pay for supports: not rent, groceries, utilities or other living expenses… The NDIS is pretty strict on this!
What SIL does not cover
A common area of confusion is what SIL funding includes versus what it doesn’t. SIL covers the support, not the accommodation. Expenses not covered by SIL include:
- Rent
- Groceries and personal items like clothing, furniture and appliances
- Utility bills such as electricity and water
- The physical home or building modifications
These fall under other NDIS home and living budgets or are standard personal expenses.
Who is SIL designed for?
SIL is best suited for people who:
- Have higher support needs and require ongoing assistance with daily tasks
- Need support throughout the day, often extending into overnight support
- Are building independence with the help of structured, daily assistance
- Live in shared arrangements or require significant support to live safely in their own home
SIL is usually for NDIS participants who “need a significant amount of help throughout the day, 7 days a week,” including overnight support.
SIL eligibility criteria
SIL eligibility is based on support needs, not a specific disability type. Eligibility is assessed individually, using information about daily routines, safety, functional limitations and long‑term goals.
Based on NDIS operational guidance and provider explanations, participants may be eligible for SIL if they:
Require Daily Assistance or Supervision
The NDIS notes that SIL is for people who need help with daily tasks and may require support continuously across the day and night.
Have Higher or Complex Support Needs
According to clinical SIL explanations, eligible participants often need at least 8 hours of daily support and usually overnight assistance.
Cannot Have Their Needs Met Through Other Supports Alone
NDIS guidelines assess whether informal supports or lower‑intensity NDIS supports are insufficient to keep a participant safe and functioning at home.
Have Goals Aligned With Living More Independently
SIL funding must support the participant’s NDIS plan goals, such as building life skills, increasing independence, or improving daily routines.
How NDIS participants can access SIL funding
To apply for SIL funding, participants usually go through the following steps:
Discuss home and living needs with an NDIS Planner or Support Coordinator
Provide an OT‑led Functional Capacity Assessment outlining daily support needs
Submit evidence such as behaviour support plans or support needs assessments
Wait for NDIA review to determine whether SIL is reasonable and necessary
Work with a SIL provider to develop a “Roster of Care” that matches their needs
Support coordinators often help participants connect with allied health providers, gather evidence and connect with potential SIL providers.
Final thoughts
Supported Independent Living plays an important role in helping people with disability live safely, independently and confidently in their homes.
It provides essential daily support while promoting choice, control and personal growth.
If you, your family member, or someone you support is considering SIL, the best starting point is a conversation with your Support Coordinator or NDIS Planner, along with exploring SIL providers (like Langford!) and available accommodation options in your local area.
How to apply or make a referral
We welcome enquiries from NDIS participants, their family members or guardians, Support Coordinators and Allied Health professionals.
Our team can discuss suitability, current vacancies, compatibility with other residents, and next steps in the onboarding process.
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