For many people living with disability, finding the right housing and support can make a huge difference to independence, safety, and quality of life. Within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there are several housing supports available, including Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
If you are preparing for a SIL assessment, SDA assessment, or a home and living assessment OT, understanding the process can help you feel more confident and prepared.
This blog explains how these assessments work, the difference between SDA and SIL under NDIS, and how occupational therapists contribute to housing assessments and funding decisions.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Understanding NDIS Housing Supports: SIL, SDA and ILO
The NDIS offers several housing-related supports designed to help participants live safely and independently. The three main options include:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Supported Independent Living is funding for daily support services that help people with disabilities live more independently. SIL funding focuses on support workers and assistance, rather than the physical housing itself.
SIL accommodation is a housing option for individuals who need varying levels of support to live independently. It provides a safe and supportive environment while still promoting autonomy and personal choice.
Participants living in SIL accommodation may receive support with tasks such as:
- Personal care
- Medication management
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Household tasks
- Budgeting
- Accessing community activities
The level of support can vary. Some people may require 24/7 support, while others may only need assistance during certain hours or for specific tasks.
SIL accommodation is often similar to traditional group homes because residents may share a home with others. However, the goal of SIL is to offer greater independence, flexibility, and choice. In some cases, residents may even have input into selecting compatible housemates.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
While SIL focuses on support services, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) focuses on the physical housing environment.
SDA is designed for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who require specially designed housing.
Examples of SDA housing features may include:
- Wheelchair accessible layouts
- Ceiling hoists and assistive technology
- Emergency response systems
- Accessible bathrooms and kitchens
- High physical support design standards
An occupational therapy housing assessment for SDA funding is usually required to demonstrate why specialised housing is necessary.
Individualised Living Options (ILO)
Individualised Living Options provide flexible support arrangements that allow participants to live in a way that best suits their lifestyle.
ILO might include:
- Living with a host family
- Living alone with support
- Living with a chosen roommate
- Customised support arrangements
Unlike SIL or SDA, ILO is designed to provide more personalised housing solutions based on a participant’s goals.
What is a SIL Assessment?
A SIL assessment evaluates the level of support a participant requires to live safely and independently.
The assessment often forms part of a supported independent living functional capacity assessment report, which provides detailed evidence to the NDIS about a participant’s daily support needs.
The assessment typically examines:
- Personal care needs
- Household management abilities
- Cognitive and communication skills
- Mobility and safety
- Community participation
The results help determine how many hours of support are required each day and whether Supported Independent Living is the most appropriate support.
Some participants may require 24-hour support, while others may only need assistance during specific times of the day.
What is an SDA Assessment?
An SDA assessment focuses on determining whether a participant requires specialised housing.
The assessment is usually conducted as part of a home and living assessment occupational therapy process, where an occupational therapist evaluates the participant’s functional needs and current living environment.
During SDA assessments, the assessor considers:
- The participant’s mobility and physical needs
- Environmental barriers in their current home
- Safety concerns
- Long-term support needs
- How specialised housing may improve independence
The final report helps determine whether SDA funding is reasonable and necessary under the NDIS.
Role of Occupational Therapists in Home and Living Assessments
Occupational therapists play a critical role in NDIS home and living assessment. Their role is to understand how a participant’s disability affects their daily life and determine what supports or housing environments will help them live as independently and safely as possible.
From my experience as an occupational therapist at CAS Health Occupational Therapy, home and living assessments are not just about evaluating a person’s current living situation. They are about understanding the person’s goals, routines, strengths, and challenges, and identifying the supports that will allow them to participate more fully in everyday life.
An OT assesses how a participant performs everyday tasks and identifies barriers that may affect independence, safety, or wellbeing. This involves looking at both functional abilities and the physical environment in which the participant lives.
During a home and living assessment OT, the therapist may:
- Observe daily routines and functional abilities
- Review medical and therapy reports
- Assess the accessibility of the current home
- Identify assistive technology needs
- Recommend SIL, SDA, or other housing supports
The OT then prepares a detailed OT housing assessment report that is submitted to the NDIS.
Learn More About Supported Independent Living
Understanding Supported Independent Living (SIL) and other NDIS home and living supports can help participants, families, and carers make informed decisions about housing and daily support needs.
For more information about Supported Independent Living, visit the NDIS Supported Independent Living Information Pack: SIL assessment NDIS PDF.
Eligibility Criteria for Specialist Disability Accommodation
Not all NDIS participants qualify for SDA.
To meet the eligibility criteria for specialist disability accommodation, participants must demonstrate either:
- Extreme functional impairment, or
- Very high support needs
Additionally, SDA housing must show that it will:
- Improve independence
- Reduce the need for ongoing support
- Provide better safety and accessibility
- Be more cost-effective over time
A detailed occupational therapy housing assessment for SDA funding is usually required to demonstrate these needs.
How to Qualify for Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessment
Participants may be referred for SIL assessments if they require ongoing support with daily activities.
Common indicators that SIL may be appropriate include:
- Difficulty completing daily living tasks independently
- Need for supervision or support throughout the day
- Safety risks when living alone
- Need for assistance with personal care and household tasks
The supported independent living functional capacity assessment report provides the evidence needed for the NDIS to determine whether SIL funding should be included in a participant’s plan.
Supported Independent Living planning process
Accessing SIL through the NDIS typically follows a structured process designed to ensure the right supports are in place.
The journey usually begins with planning and goal setting, where participants discuss their home and living needs with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator. During this stage, evidence and assessments help determine whether SIL is the most appropriate support.
If SIL is suitable, providers work with the participant to develop a Roster of Care, outlining the support hours and assistance required each day. This plan is then reviewed and approved by the NDIA.
Once approved, SIL supports begin, helping participants with daily living tasks while promoting independence. The plan is reviewed regularly to ensure the supports continue to meet the participant’s needs.
Preparing for a Home and Living Assessment NDIS
Preparing for your assessment can help ensure that your needs are clearly understood.
When preparing for a home and living assessment NDIS, consider the following steps:
1. Gather Supporting Documents
Useful documents include:
- Medical reports
- Therapy assessments
- Behaviour support plans
- Previous NDIS plans
- Support worker notes
These documents provide evidence that supports your housing and support needs.
2. Be Open About Daily Challenges
During the assessment, it’s important to explain the difficulties you face with everyday activities.
For example:
- Mobility challenges
- Personal care needs
- Medication management
- Household tasks
- Community access
Accurate information helps ensure the SIL assessment reflects your real support needs.
3. Include Input from Family or Support Workers
Support workers and family members often have valuable insight into the participant’s daily support requirements.
Their observations can strengthen the home and living assessment OT report and provide additional context for the assessor.
Understanding NDIS SIL Rent
Many participants ask about NDIS SIL rent and how housing costs are managed.
It’s important to know that NDIS does not usually pay rent for participants living in SIL accommodation.
Participants typically contribute to rent and living expenses in the same way they would in any housing arrangement.
However, when living in SDA housing, the NDIS funds the specialised housing component while the participant still contributes a reasonable rent amount based on their income.
Choosing Between SDA and SIL for NDIS Participants
Choosing between SDA and SIL depends on a participant’s needs and circumstances.
Some participants may require:
- SIL only – if they need daily support but can live in standard housing
- SDA only – if specialised housing is required but minimal support is needed
- Both SDA and SIL – when specialised housing and daily support are both required
A home and living assessment occupational therapy evaluation helps determine which support combination is most suitable.
How to Get Supported Independent Living Funding
To receive SIL funding through the NDIS, participants generally need:
- A completed SIL assessment
- Evidence of functional limitations
- A supported independent living functional capacity assessment report
- Submission of documentation during a plan review
The NDIS then determines whether SIL is considered reasonable and necessary based on the participant’s goals and needs.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a SIL assessment, SDA assessment, or home and living assessment OT is an important step toward accessing the right housing supports through the NDIS.
Supported Independent Living accommodation can provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live independently while receiving the assistance they need for daily tasks and community participation.
By understanding the difference between SDA and SIL under NDIS, gathering supporting documents, and working with experienced occupational therapists, participants can ensure their assessment accurately reflects their needs and supports their goals for independent living.
Related blog:
reference:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/specialist-disability-accommodation
https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home-and-living-supports
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00627
