If you’re exploring NDIS home and living supports, you’ve likely come across Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Individualised Living Options (ILO). While both aim to help people with disabilities live fulfilling lives, they are designed for different needs and lifestyles.
This guide explains SIL vs ILO, how each support works, who they suit, and how to decide which option may be right for you or your family.
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living provides ongoing daily support for people who require regular, 24/7 assistance at home.
Rather than paying for rent or household expenses, SIL funding helps cover the support workers who assist participants with everyday activities such as:
- Personal care and hygiene
- Meal preparation
- Household tasks
- Medication reminders or assistance
- Building daily living skills
- Community participation
- Overnight or around-the-clock support when required
SIL is commonly delivered in shared homes where participants live with others and receive scheduled support from trained staff. However, SIL may also be available in individual living arrangements where justified by a participant’s needs.
What are Individualised Living Options?
Individualised Living Options offers a more flexible approach to living arrangements. Instead of providing rostered daily support like SIL, ILO helps participants design a living arrangement that reflects how they want to live and who they want to live with.
An ILO may involve:
- Living with a host family
- Living with a housemate who provides some support
- Living with friends or family while receiving tailored assistance
- Combining informal and funded supports
- Creating a unique living arrangement that matches personal goals
ILO focuses on building sustainable support networks rather than relying solely on paid disability support workers. Participants usually receive a personalised support model based on their individual circumstances.
SIL vs ILO: What’s the Difference?
Understanding SIL vs ILO becomes easier when you look at their purposes.
| Supported Independent Living (SIL) | Individualised Living Options (ILO) |
| Designed for people with daily support needs | Designed around personalised living arrangements |
| Usually includes regular paid support workers | Blends paid supports with informal supports where appropriate |
| Often provided in shared accommodation | Can be delivered in many different living situations |
| Structured daily routines | Greater flexibility and personal choice |
| Best for participants needing ongoing assistance | Best for participants wanting customised living solutions |
Neither option is “better.” The right choice depends on your support requirements, lifestyle, goals, and long-term independence.
Who is eligible for SIL or ILO?
Eligibility depends on an individual assessment by the NDIS.
Generally, participants seeking either support need to demonstrate that:
- Home and Living support is reasonable and necessary.
- The support relates to their disability.
- It helps them pursue their goals and increase independence.
- Alternative options have been considered.
The NDIS will also assess existing informal supports, living arrangements, risks, and future support needs before approving funding.
Is SIL better than ILO?
The answer is no. SIL and ILO meet different needs.
SIL may be more suitable if someone requires frequent assistance throughout the day or overnight due to ongoing support needs.
ILO may be a better option if the participant has greater independence and wants flexibility in choosing who they live with and how their support is organised.
Your NDIS planner will consider your goals, functional capacity, informal support network, and daily support requirements before recommending the most appropriate Home and Living support.
Can you move from ILO to SIL?
Yes.
Your support needs may change over time. Someone who initially receives ILO may later require SIL if their disability progresses or their daily support needs increase.
Likewise, some participants may transition from SIL to a more flexible ILO arrangement as they develop greater independence and require less structured support.
Regular NDIS plan reviews help ensure your support continues to reflect your current circumstances.
How are SIL and ILO funded under the NDIS?
One important difference in SIL vs ILO is how funding is approved and managed.
Supported Independent Living
SIL funding is generally approved for participants who require ongoing daily support because of their disability. Funding is based on the participant’s assessed support needs rather than a fixed hourly package.
For participants receiving SIL:
- Funding is included in the participant’s Home and Living budget.
- Providers generally claim either weekly SIL funding or hourly SIL support, but not both for the same participant.
- Weekly SIL claims are based on the funding allocated in the participant’s NDIS plan and spread across the plan period.
Individualised Living Options
Unlike SIL, ILO funding focuses on helping participants establish and maintain a living arrangement tailored to their individual needs, rather than funding around-the-clock, continuous care.
ILO funding is split into two distinct operational stages:
- Stage 1. Exploration and Design: Funding dedicated to exploring where the person wants to live, who they want to live with (e.g., a host family or a supportive housemate), and mapping out the ideal support network.
- Stage 2. ILO Support Model: It pays for your special mix of help, like having paid support workers drop in when you need them, combined with the everyday help you get from family, housemates, or neighbours.
The amount approved varies for each participant, depending on their goals, disability-related needs, and the living arrangement agreed upon with the NDIA.
Can SIL and ILO funding be combined?
Generally, participants receive funding for the Home and Living support that best matches their circumstances rather than both simultaneously.
However, a participant may move between different Home and Living supports over time as their needs change. The NDIS carefully assesses each situation to ensure funding provides value while meeting the participant’s individual goals and support requirements.
How do you choose between SIL and ILO?
When comparing SIL vs ILO, choosing the right path involves looking closely at your daily routines, your level of independence, and how you want your life to look.
To find out which model fits you best, consider these key questions:
1. How much support do you need each day?
Do you require constant, 24/7 care, or do you just need someone to drop in at specific times?
2. Do you require overnight care?
Are active overnight support workers necessary, or is having a housemate or host in the building enough?
3. Would you prefer a shared home or a personalised arrangement?
Are you excited about moving into an established group home, or do you prefer to choose your own housemates or live alone?
4. How important is flexibility in your daily routine?
Do you thrive on a structured, predictable schedule, or do you want the freedom to change your support setup whenever you like?
5. Who do you want involved in your care?
Do you want a fully professional team of paid staff, or do you want to blend paid workers with natural help from family, friends, and neighbours?
6. What are your long-term independence goals?
Are you focused on learning basic daily living skills in a secure environment, or are you looking to build a unique lifestyle embedded in your local community?
With Cam Can, You CAN Absolutely Make the Right Choice for Your Future!
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right option depends on your personal goals, daily support requirements, and the type of life you want to build.
If you’re unsure which option is right for your child or family member, speaking with an experienced NDIS provider can help you better understand your choices and prepare for your planning conversation.
At Cam Can, we support participants and families across Kalgoorlie, Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Margaret River, South West WA, and surrounding communities. Our experienced team can help you understand your Home and Living options, navigate the NDIS process, and access supports that align with your goals.
If you’d like personalised guidance, contact Cam Can to discuss your support needs and explore the most suitable pathway toward greater independence.
