Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding for support workers who help participants with daily tasks at home. It funds support, not rent or groceries. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is specialist housing. SIL funds help from support workers. Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a separate home-and-living option. Its supports can change over time.

These terms describe different parts of one living arrangement, so mixing them up can lead to the wrong questions being asked. Before comparing providers, it helps to separate three things: who provides the support, who provides the home, and who pays for each. The sections below take each term in turn. Ask the NDIA which options and current process apply to the participant’s circumstances.

Updated 5 October 2026. Editorial ownership: TIMELY HEALTH ASSIST. This guide summarises official NDIA guidance and NDIS Commission information. Funding guidelines change; confirm individual plan details directly with the NDIA and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Key Takeaways

  • SIL funds support workers to help with daily tasks at home; it does not fund rent or groceries.
  • SDA relates to specialist housing. SIL relates to support workers. Some participants have both in their plans.
  • The NDIA says a participant’s support needs matter when SIL funding is considered.
  • The NDIS Commission says SIL providers must register from 1 July 2026. Check current registration with the Commission.

What does SIL fund?

The NDIA Supported Independent Living guidance defines SIL as funding for support workers to help or supervise participants with daily tasks at home. Depending on individual goals and plan allocations, examples include:

  • Personal care assistance, such as help with showering and dressing;
  • Help with preparing meals and eating; and
  • Household tasks related to daily living.

These examples describe task types, not a standard package or a promise that every task will be funded. Needs and routines differ. When discussing an arrangement, describe what happens during an ordinary day: which tasks the participant wants help with, what they prefer to do independently, and when support might be useful. Ask how those preferences can be explained to the NDIA and revisited if routines change. This is a way to organise a conversation, not an assessment checklist or a prediction of plan approval.

The NDIA says SIL cannot be used for rent or everyday expenses such as groceries. Keep questions about support and housing costs separate when comparing options.

For broader background on plan funding, review our NDIS support guide for Adelaide and NDIS personal care guide.

SIL, SDA and ILO: understanding the differences

SIL, SDA and ILO represent distinct home-and-living categories within the NDIS framework. They address different aspects of a participant’s life:

Support TypePlain English DefinitionPrimary Question to Ask
SIL (Supported Independent Living)Funding for support workers to assist with daily living tasks at home.What daily personal tasks does the participant need assistance with?
SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation)Specialised, accessible housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high physical support needs.Does the participant require physical building modifications or specialist housing design?
ILO (Individualised Living Options)An individualised home-and-living option with flexible supports that can change over time.What current information should I check with the NDIA?

The NDIA has separate guidance for SDA and ILO. SDA is the housing; SIL is support from workers. The NDIA’s SIL guidance says some participants have both in their plans. One does not automatically mean the other is included.

Why the distinction matters in practice

Confusing housing with support can make an arrangement harder to evaluate. If a single agreement covers both the home and the support services, ask which document describes each part and what happens to each if circumstances change. Ask what is involved in changing a support worker, a provider or a housemate, and whether those changes affect the housing arrangement. This guide does not explain tenancy rights or the terms of a housing agreement; ask the relevant parties, and get independent advice about a specific agreement if anything is unclear.

When exploring options, ask whether the housing provider and the support provider are the same organisation. If they are, ask how the two arrangements are documented separately. For details on related support areas, review our guides on NDIS community participation in Adelaide and NDIS support coordination.

How to discuss home and living with the NDIA

The NDIA says SIL funding depends on a participant’s disability support needs. This general guide cannot determine what will be included in an individual plan. Read the NDIA’s SIL guidance and broader Home and Living information, then ask what current information applies to the participant.

Questions to ask may include:

  1. Which home-and-living options should I read about?
  2. What information should I provide about the participant’s daily support needs?
  3. Who can explain the current process if the participant’s needs or preferences change?

These are prompts for a conversation, not a list of required documents or a promise of approval.

Before a conversation, a participant or family member may find it useful to note:

  • The daily routines where the participant wants assistance, and which activities they prefer to manage themselves;
  • Any home-and-living options they want to understand, including whether the question is about support, housing or both;
  • Preferences that matter when supports are delivered, such as communication, privacy and timing; and
  • Questions about what information the NDIA currently needs and where to find the relevant guidance.

This note is for the participant’s own use. It is not a formal NDIA template, a required evidence list or a substitute for discussing individual circumstances with the Agency or an appropriately qualified adviser.

Understanding a roster of care

The NDIA provider guide for SIL describes a roster of care as a planning tool. It says the roster is not required to be submitted to the NDIA.

When reviewing a proposed roster, a participant may want to ask how support is scheduled around daily routines, meals, community activities and night-time needs. Useful questions include:

  1. How are shared support hours distinguished from one-to-one assistance?
  2. What happens if a participant’s routines differ from those of other residents?
  3. How is night-time support covered, and what does the participant’s plan fund?
  4. How are worker absences or schedule changes communicated?

Do not assume a set number of hours or staffing ratio applies to everyone. Plan funding reflects individual needs.

Evaluating SIL providers in Adelaide: decision checklist

The NDIS Commission says SIL providers must register with the Commission from 1 July 2026. Use its registered-provider finder to check a provider’s listing. The Commission says a listing is not an endorsement or confirmation that a provider is right for a participant.

When comparing providers, use these questions as a starting point:

  • Is the provider currently listed for SIL by the NDIS Commission? What service scope should I confirm?
  • Who would deliver the support, and how can the participant share preferences about communication and routines?
  • If overnight support or a shared home is discussed, what would the proposed arrangement involve?
  • What costs, cancellation terms and responsibilities are described in writing? Which parts concern support, and which concern the home?
  • How can the participant ask questions or raise a concern?

Check current details with the provider and the Commission. These questions do not confirm that a specific service, staffing pattern, fee or vacancy is available.

Questions about housing and support

A conversation about SIL may include both a home and support workers. This guide does not explain a participant’s tenancy rights or the terms of any housing agreement.

Before relying on an arrangement, ask which document describes the housing and which describes support. Check costs, responsibilities and change or cancellation terms with the relevant parties. For South Australian renting information, consult the SA Government renting resources. Get independent advice about a specific agreement if anything is unclear.

What to confirm with THA

TIMELY HEALTH ASSIST (THA) publishes this guide to help Adelaide participants understand NDIS home-and-living terminology. This article does not claim that THA is an NDIS-registered SIL or SDA provider, operates properties, has vacant rooms, or guarantees specific staffing ratios.

For up-to-date information on THA’s available workforce solutions and support options:

  • Review our services hub for current healthcare staffing and support areas;
  • Visit our contact page to speak directly with the local team;
  • Ask about current registration groups, qualified staff availability and service boundaries before agreeing to any service.

Frequently asked questions

Does SIL pay for rent or groceries?

No. The NDIA says SIL cannot be used for rent or everyday expenses such as groceries. Ask the relevant housing contact about costs for a specific arrangement.

What is the difference between SIL and SDA?

SIL funds support workers to help or supervise with daily tasks at home. SDA is specialist housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. They are different parts of a home-and-living arrangement.

Can someone have both SIL and SDA?

The NDIA’s SIL guidance says some participants have both in their plans. Ask the NDIA which options and current process apply to a particular participant.

Does a roster of care have to be submitted to the NDIA?

No. The NDIA provider guide describes a roster of care as a planning tool and says it is not required to be submitted to the NDIA.

How do I check whether a provider is registered for SIL?

The NDIS Commission states that SIL providers must register from 1 July 2026. Use the Commission’s registered-provider finder to check a listing, then confirm current details with the provider and Commission.

For additional guidance on navigating Adelaide disability and care supports, explore our related articles:

A practical next step

Start by listing your personal routines, goals and daily support needs in plain language. Separate what you need from support workers from your housing preferences. Contact your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator or the NDIA to clarify your current home-and-living plan options.

The NDIS Commission says SIL providers must register from 1 July 2026. For information about THA’s current services, visit our services page or contact the team.