Supported Independent Living (SIL) is back in the national conversation as the Australian Government considers how NDIS-funded supported living could work better for participants.
A recent Government consultation has explored whether a new commissioning approach could improve the quality, safety and sustainability of some Supported Independent Living services. At the same time, disability advocates are calling for greater choice and more alternatives to traditional group-home arrangements. Consultations Health
But there is an important distinction for NDIS participants, families and Support Coordinators:
SIL is not being removed from the NDIS, and the Government has not decided to introduce a new SIL commissioning model.
So, what is actually being considered, and what should good Supported Independent Living look like?
What is happening with NDIS Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
The Australian Government recently completed a public consultation looking at whether a commissioning approach for part of the SIL market could improve outcomes for participants.
The consultation considered issues including:
- participant outcomes
- quality and safety
- reliability of services
- provider sustainability
- how potential changes could work in practice.
The consultation closed in September, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing says it will use the feedback to develop advice and options for Government in late 2026. Consultations Health
Importantly, the Government explicitly states:
It has not decided whether SIL commissioning will be introduced. Consultations Health
That means the current discussion is about potential future reform, not an announcement that the existing SIL model is disappearing.
Is NDIS Supported Independent Living changing?
There are two separate developments worth distinguishing.
The first is the potential future commissioning model. This remains under consideration following consultation. No final decision has been announced. Consultations Health
The second is a change that has already been confirmed.
From 1 July 2026, SIL provider registration and claiming requirements changed. Providers delivering SIL must be registered or have applied for registration by 1 October 2026. The NDIA states that this registration change does not itself change a participant’s plan or NDIS funding. NDIS
For participants and families reading headlines about SIL reform, separating confirmed changes from proposals is important.
Why are NDIS SIL and group homes being reviewed?
The broader debate goes beyond how SIL is funded.
Recent reporting has highlighted calls from disability advocates for greater diversity in supported living arrangements and more choice for people with disability over where and with whom they live. ABC News
That raises an important point.
A shared SIL home can be a positive choice for some people. For others, a different home and living arrangement may be more appropriate.
There should not be an assumption that one model will work for everyone.
The goal should be finding an arrangement that reflects the participant’s individual needs, preferences, goals and circumstances.
What is Supported Independent Living under the NDIS?
Supported Independent Living is often confused with the physical home itself.
They are not the same thing.
The NDIA defines SIL as funding for a support worker to help or supervise a participant 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the participant’s needs, support workers may be shared with other residents or provided individually. NDIS
Support can include assistance with everyday activities such as:
- personal care
- showering and getting dressed
- preparing and eating meals
- cleaning and household tasks
- developing routines and everyday living skills.
A central purpose of SIL is to help participants build skills and live as independently as possible. NDIS
SIL does not pay for rent, groceries, utilities or the physical property itself. NDIS
Is SIL the same as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
No.
SIL relates to the support provided within the home.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) relates to specially designed housing for eligible participants with very high support needs.
Some participants may have both SIL and SDA funded in their NDIS plan, but they are separate supports. NDIS
SIL is also only one of several NDIS home and living options. Depending on a person’s circumstances, alternatives can include Individualised Living Options, assistance with daily life, home modifications, SDA and other home and living supports. NDIS
Why does housemate matching matter in SIL?
For someone considering a shared SIL home, there is a factor that can easily be overshadowed by bedrooms, bathrooms and location:
Who will you actually be living with?
Sharing a home means sharing everyday life.
One person might enjoy having dinner together, inviting friends over and spending time with their housemates.
Someone else might prefer a quieter household and more personal space.
Housemates can also have different:
- personalities
- routines
- communication styles
- hobbies and interests
- sleeping patterns
- social preferences
- support requirements.
Having similar disabilities or support needs does not automatically mean two people will make compatible housemates.
That is why filling an available bedroom should never be the entire objective.
How should SIL housemates be matched?
There isn’t a simple checklist that guarantees two people will be compatible.
Good housemate matching should instead consider the whole person.
That can include:
- support needs
- goals and aspirations
- daily routines
- personality
- communication preferences
- hobbies and interests
- social preferences
- schedules
- household expectations
- compatibility with existing residents.
At DisabilityCo, housemate matching forms an important part of our SIL process.
Participants can meet prospective housemates and spend time getting to know each other before making such an important decision.
The aim isn’t to find people who are identical.
It’s to explore whether the household has the potential to work well for everyone who will call it home.
What should you look for in an NDIS SIL home?
The physical property matters, but it is only one part of the decision.
Participants, families and Support Coordinators should also consider what everyday life will actually look like.
Useful questions include:
Who already lives in the home?
How are new housemates matched?
What are the household’s usual routines?
How is support delivered throughout the day and overnight?
Can the participant meet prospective housemates first?
How does the provider support individual goals and independence?
What happens if someone’s support needs change?
How does the provider handle concerns or conflicts within the household?
A beautiful house does not automatically make the right SIL home.
The support, household dynamics and compatibility matter too.
Participant choice should remain at the centre of SIL
Choice and control are fundamental to the NDIS, and decisions about where someone lives are deeply personal.
The Government’s SIL consultation itself focuses on whether potential reforms could improve participant outcomes, quality, safety and reliability. Consultations Health
For participants exploring SIL, that makes asking questions and understanding the proposed living arrangement particularly important.
A participant should be more than a vacancy that needs filling.
Their preferences, goals and everyday life should form part of the conversation about whether a home is genuinely suitable.
Quality support matters just as much as the house
Finding compatible housemates is only one part of successful Supported Independent Living.
The quality and consistency of the support delivered inside the home also matters.
Good SIL should help a participant live their life and develop greater independence wherever possible.
That means understanding the individual’s routines, preferences, support requirements and goals rather than treating support as simply a roster of tasks.
The Government consultation specifically examined quality, safety, participant outcomes, service reliability and provider sustainability, showing that the current reform discussion is broader than housing alone. Consultations Health
What could change for NDIS SIL in the future?
The answer right now is: we don’t know yet.
The Government has been consulting on whether commissioning could be appropriate for part of the SIL market, particularly as it considers quality, participant outcomes and provider sustainability.
But consultation is not implementation.
The Department says it will review feedback and provide advice and options to Government in late 2026. Consultations Health
Until a decision is announced, participants and families should be cautious about claims that SIL is being abolished, replaced or fundamentally changed.
What we do know is that the future of Supported Independent Living is being actively considered, and participant choice, safety, quality and sustainability are central to that discussion.
Finding Supported Independent Living in Melbourne
For people currently exploring Supported Independent Living in Melbourne, there is no need to wait for the outcome of the Government review before considering available options.
Participants with SIL funding can continue exploring providers and homes that meet their individual needs.
The NDIA also notes that participants with Support Coordination funding can work with their Support Coordinator to find providers that can help them live safely in their home. NDIS
At DisabilityCo, we support participants through the SIL journey from initial enquiry and understanding support needs through to exploring potential homes and meeting prospective housemates.
Because finding SIL shouldn’t simply be about asking:
“Is there a room available?”
It should also be about asking:
“Could this feel like home?”
Looking for SIL in Melbourne?
DisabilityCo provides Supported Independent Living across Melbourne, with current vacancies available in select homes.
If you’re a participant, family member or Support Coordinator exploring SIL, our team can talk through current vacancies, support needs and potential housemate compatibility.
CTA: EXPLORE OUR SIL HOMES
NDIS Supported Independent Living FAQs
Is SIL being removed from the NDIS?
No. The Government is considering whether a commissioning approach could improve part of the SIL market, but it has explicitly stated that it has not decided whether SIL commissioning will be introduced. Consultations Health
Is SIL the same as a group home?
Not exactly. SIL is the funding for support workers who help or supervise a participant within their home, rather than the physical property itself. SIL is often delivered in shared living arrangements, but the support and the housing are separate concepts. NDIS
Is SIL the same as SDA?
No. SIL funds support workers within the home. SDA is specially designed housing for eligible participants with very high support needs. Some participants may receive both. NDIS
Can a Support Coordinator help find a SIL provider?
Yes. The NDIA says participants who have Support Coordination funding may be able to get help from their Support Coordinator to find providers so they can live safely in their home. NDIS
What should I look for when choosing a SIL home?
Look beyond the property itself. Consider the support arrangements, existing housemates, household routines, compatibility, location, your goals and preferences, and how the provider will support your independence.