What is SIL and what does it stand for?

If you’re new to the NDIS and disability services, you might have heard the term SIL or supported independent living, but not been sure what it is. In this article, we aim to share with you what SIL is and how it might be useful for you – or someone in your circle.

What is supported independent living?

Supported independent living or SIL is a service provided under the NDIS (or National Disability Insurance Scheme). It helps to provide an environment where people with disability can live as independently as possible, usually in a shared home environment.

What is included in supported independent living?

SIL helps individuals with disabilities to manage their daily life, participate in community and achieve their personal goals.

These supports are related to the disability and include assistance with:

  • Daily living: personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, support with medication.
  • Community participation: social activities and engaging with community.
  • Transport: supporting you to get to appointments and community access.
  • Employment and education: support for individuals involved in education, job training or employment.
  • Health and wellbeing: supporting access to healthcare services and medication administration.

Supported independent living accommodation or housing typically involves a shared home or living environment within the community where up to three or four people with disability live together and receive shared supports.

Who is typically funded for SIL?

Within South Australia (as at June 2025), there are approximately 3,400 individuals with an NDIS plan who have SIL in their funding. Given that around 63,000 individuals have an NDIS plan, it is only around 5% of participants who receive SIL as part of their NDIS supported independent living funding.

Of those with SIL funding – according to the NDIS at June 2025 – these NDIS participants live with the following primary disability:

  • 40% intellectual disability (approx. 1300 participants)
  • 14% autism (450)
  • 10% cerebral palsy (320)
  • 8% psychosocial (270)
  • 8% other neurological (270)
  • 6% global development delay (210)

How much funding or support is possible for SIL?

Asking how much funding one might receive for SIL is a bit like the old adage of asking how long is a piece of string: it really depends!

The NDIA makes an assessment for each individual under the NDIS about what is reasonable and necessary. This can be quite different for different people even if it appears as though they are quite similar.

Ultimately, the funding will depend on the ratio of support required from disability support worker. In our experience, there are people with SIL funding on a 1:3 or 1:4 basis who might receive between $150,000 and $250,000. Those with complex needs requiring 2:1 and active overnight supports can exceed $1,000,000 per annum.

Given these sometimes quite large numbers and the significant portion of the overall NDIS annual budget that is committed to SIL, we can see why government has been continually reviewing this part of the NDIS funding.

How do I know if I am eligible for supported independent living?

We have more information about this question in our NDIS FAQs.

What is the future of SIL?

Supported independent living has existed in one form or another for a number of decades. We see it continuing into the future as a critical part of the NDIS supports for those who need it most.

However, we cannot ignore that there have been a number of government reviews and commentary about SIL in recent years. The rate of growth of services for SIL can make it appear as thought the service is not financially sustainable under the NDIS.

We expect that SIL will continue, though there will always be a desire for providers working with government to do it most efficiently and effectively.

Want more?

If you are eligible and funded for NDIS and looking for a new provider then we would love to meet and work to support you!

To ask some questions or find out more information regarding Hope Circle’s SIL services in Adelaide or Perth, please contact us here.