One of the biggest decisions you’ll make under the NDIS isn’t just about what support you receive — it’s about where and how you live. For many participants and their families, that decision comes down to one fundamental question: should I choose a shared SIL home or an individual SIL home?
Both options are funded under Supported Independent Living (SIL) — NDIS funding that helps you with daily tasks and supervision so you can live as independently as possible. But shared and individual SIL are quite different in practice, and choosing the wrong model can significantly affect your day-to-day quality of life.
In this guide, you’ll learn: the real difference between shared and individual SIL homes, how costs and support ratios compare, who each model suits best, and how to make your decision with confidence — whether you’re a participant, family member, or carer.
What Is SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS Core Support funding that covers the cost of support workers helping you with everyday tasks — things like personal care, meal preparation, medication management, household tasks, and overnight supervision when needed. According to the official NDIS SIL page, SIL is most commonly used in shared living arrangements, though individual arrangements are also funded where they meet the “reasonable and necessary” test.
It’s important to understand what SIL doesn’t cover. As the NDIS Home and Living page clearly states, NDIS participants are responsible for their own day-to-day living costs — rent, groceries, utilities, and general household items. SIL pays for your support, not your housing.
At Care I Wish, we are a registered NDIS SIL provider offering both shared and individual homes across Melbourne and Victoria. We see first-hand every day how much the right living arrangement can change a person’s life.
From 1 July 2025: All SIL providers in Australia must be officially registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This protects you as a participant — always verify your provider is registered before signing a service agreement.
The Two Main Types of SIL Homes in Australia
1. Shared SIL Homes: What Life Actually Looks Like
In a shared SIL home, you live together with two to four other NDIS participants in a house or unit. Support workers are rostered across all residents, typically at a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio — meaning one worker supports two or three people at the same time. Shared homes are by far the most common SIL model in Australia.
Real-life example — Shared SIL: Mei lives in a four-bedroom home in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with two other participants. There’s always a support worker on shift, and the team help everyone with their morning routines, meals, and community activities. Mei loves the company and feels far less isolated than she did living at home with her family.
2. Individual SIL Homes: What Life Actually Looks Like
In an individual SIL home, you live alone and receive support tailored entirely to you — typically at a 1:1 ratio. Your support workers focus solely on your needs, your routine, and your goals. This model gives you complete control over your living environment and daily schedule.
Real-life example — Individual SIL: Jordan lives in a two-bedroom unit in Melbourne’s inner north. After a difficult experience in a previous shared home, his OT and behaviour support practitioner both recommended individual SIL. Now, his dedicated support team know his communication style, his triggers, and exactly how to help him have a great day — every day.
Use this table as your quick-reference guide — each dimension is explained in more detail below.
Shared SIL vs Individual SIL: The Complete Comparison
| Feature | Shared SIL | Individual SIL |
| NDIS funding (approx.) | ~$200,000–$300,000/year | ~$200,000–$65,000+/year |
| Support ratio | 1:2 or 1:3 (shared) | 1:1 (dedicated) |
| Privacy | Own bedroom; shared living areas | Full home privacy |
| Social connection | Built-in peer connection | Intentional social planning needed |
| Routine flexibility | Some negotiation required | Fully personalised |
| Best suited for | Moderate needs; social individuals | Complex/high-intensity needs; privacy preference |
| NDIS approval difficulty | Generally straightforward | Requires stronger OT evidence |
Note: Funding figures are estimates only. Your actual SIL funding is calculated through a formal Roster of Care submitted by your registered provider and approved by the NDIA.
Understanding Support Ratios — What They Really Mean Day-to-Day
Your support ratio is one of the most important — and least understood — parts of choosing a SIL home. In plain terms:
- 1:1 — One support worker focused entirely on you. The highest level of individual attention.
- 1:2 — One worker supporting two people at the same time. You may occasionally need to wait.
- 1:3 — One worker supporting three people simultaneously. Most cost-effective, but more shared time.
In practice, a 1:3 home means there will be times — getting ready in the morning, mealtimes, community outings — when you need to wait for support. For people with moderate, predictable needs, this works well. For people with complex or high-intensity needs, a 1:1 ratio is often essential for safety and wellbeing. Your occupational therapist (OT) assessment will determine what ratio is appropriate for you. Learn more about how the NDIA uses the Roster of Care in their SIL Funding and Budgets guidance.
Privacy and Personal Space
In a shared SIL home, your bedroom is your private sanctuary. Under the new NDIS Practice Standards for SIL currently being developed for 1 July 2026, providers will be held to stronger standards around privacy, dignity, and participant safety in shared settings. Bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas are shared — which means some compromise is part of daily life.
Individual SIL offers a fundamentally different experience. Your entire home belongs to you. You decide when the TV goes on, what’s for dinner, and whether you want a quiet night or a busy morning. For participants who have previously experienced difficult shared arrangements, or who place a high value on personal autonomy, this difference can be life-changing.
Social Connection: Shared Living Has Real Benefits
This is one of the most important trade-offs between the two models — and it cuts both ways. Shared SIL homes offer something genuinely valuable: built-in peer connection. For participants who thrive on social interaction, or who are transitioning out of the family home for the first time, living with others can reduce isolation and build confidence in ways that individual living simply can’t replicate.
Individual SIL, by contrast, offers full control but requires intentional effort to stay socially connected. Without that planning — through community access, day programs, or regular visits — some participants find individual living can become isolating over time. A good support team will always help you maintain strong social ties regardless of which model you choose.
Who Thrives in Each SIL Model?
Shared SIL is often a great fit if you:
- Enjoy social interaction and the company of others
- Have moderate support needs that don’t require constant 1:1 attention
- Are moving out of the family home for the first time
- Benefit from structure, routine, and a house community
- Want access to a SIL home sooner — shared homes are more widely available
- Are mindful of cost — shared SIL is generally easier to justify in your NDIS plan
Individual SIL is often a better fit if you:
- Have complex support needs, including high-intensity or medical care requirements
- Have a behaviour support plan that recommends dedicated 1:1 attention
- Have had a negative, unsafe, or incompatible experience in a previous shared home
- Value personal privacy and full control over your routine above all else
- Have medical, sensory, or communication needs that are difficult to manage in a shared environment
Key point: Your occupational therapist (OT) is one of your most important allies in this decision. A thorough functional capacity assessment is the foundation of any SIL application — and it is the primary evidence the NDIA uses to determine whether individual SIL is justified. Read the NDIS provider guidance on what evidence is required for SIL.
How to Choose the Right SIL Model for You
Questions to ask yourself (or your loved one)
Before committing to either model, it helps to be honest about a few key things:
- Do I enjoy living with others, or do I find shared environments stressful?
- Do my support needs require immediate, consistent 1:1 attention throughout the day?
- Do I have a behaviour support plan? What has my behaviour support practitioner recommended?
- How important is routine flexibility to me — do I need everything to be on my terms?
- Have I had previous experiences in shared living — positive or negative?
- What does my OT recommend based on my functional capacity assessment?
What your NDIS plan needs to say
For either model, your NDIS plan should clearly reflect your housing and independence goals. Language like “I want to live independently with 24/7 support” or “I need a 1:1 support ratio to safely manage my daily living” helps the NDIA understand your needs and fund the right model. Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator can help you frame these goals at your next plan review.
The NDIA’s own Home and Living guidance states that the aim of the decision process is to fund the right option for your care and support — not just the cheapest one. If you believe individual SIL is right for your situation, your support team can help you make that case.
Tip from Care I Wish: You don’t have to decide alone. Our team at Care I Wish walks every participant and family through a thorough matching process — considering routines, support needs, lifestyle preferences, and personality — before recommending a SIL model or a specific home. Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation.
Can you trial a SIL arrangement before committing?
No — we don’t provide Short-Term Accommodation (STA) as a trial option. However, we still ensure you feel completely confident before making any decision. Participants are always welcome to visit the home, meet our support team, and get to know potential housemates. This allows you to experience the environment, understand the support style, and make an informed choice without any pressure. Your comfort comes first, and we never rush the process.
Your Rights in a SIL Home — What the NDIS Rules Say
Regardless of whether you choose shared or individual SIL, you have clear legal and regulatory rights as an NDIS participant:
- You have a say in who you live with. Under the NDIS Practice Standards, providers must take your needs, wishes, and preferences into account when filling vacancies in a shared home. The new SIL-specific Practice Standards (effective 1 July 2026) will strengthen these protections further.
- Your bedroom is your private space. Providers must have documented policies protecting your privacy, dignity, and safety. The NDIS Commission’s Supported Accommodation inquiry specifically identified privacy and human rights as priority areas for reform.
- You can change providers or move homes. Your SIL funding follows you — you are never locked in. Your SDA funding and SIL are also separate — changing one does not automatically affect the other.
- You are entitled to regular reviews. Your Roster of Care and support arrangements should be reviewed regularly to ensure they still match your goals and needs. The NDIA will also automatically adjust SIL funding to reflect significant changes in your circumstances.
For Families and Carers: How to Advocate for the Right Model
What to look for when visiting SIL homes
If you’re helping a family member choose a SIL home, visiting in person makes an enormous difference. When you visit a Care I Wish SIL home in Melbourne, here’s what to assess:
- How do support workers speak to and interact with current residents?
- Does the home feel clean, calm, and welcoming — not institutional?
- Are there activities, personalised spaces, and signs of individual lives being lived?
- How does the provider handle conflict, complaints, or incidents?
- Is the home accessible and close to community, transport, and family?
Questions to ask a SIL provider
- What is the staffing ratio in this specific home?
- How is the support team matched to residents?
- What is your staff turnover rate? (High turnover = poor consistency)
- How are housemates matched — what is your compatibility process?
- How are incidents, complaints, or concerns reported and resolved?
- How often are individual goals and the Roster of Care reviewed?
- Are you a registered NDIS SIL provider under Group 0115?
- Do you have a conflict of interest policy if you also provide SDA?
Involving your support coordinator
Every SIL participant is entitled to Support Coordination funding in their NDIS plan. Your support coordinator is your guide through this entire process — from understanding your options to finding homes, preparing your Roster of Care, and advocating at plan reviews. If you don’t yet have one, ask your LAC or reach out to our team at Care I Wish for a referral.
How to Access SIL Under Your NDIS Plan (Step-by-Step)
- Discuss your housing goals at your next planning meeting. Be clear and specific about what independent living means to you. Use language like “I need 24/7 support to live safely.” Your NDIA planner or LAC is your starting point. See the NDIS SIL Easy Read Information Pack for help preparing.
- Get a functional capacity assessment from an occupational therapist (OT). This is the cornerstone of your SIL application. The NDIA uses your OT report to determine your support needs, appropriate ratio, and funding level.
- Choose a registered SIL provider and work together to develop a Roster of Care. This detailed weekly support plan maps your needs hour by hour and is submitted to the NDIA as part of your funding request. View Care I Wish’s current SIL vacancies in Melbourne.
- Submit the Roster of Care to the NDIA for funding approval. Your provider handles this with you. The NDIA will notify you and your provider in writing of the decision. If your funding doesn’t match your Roster of Care, you can request a review.
- Move in — and know you can always request a review. SIL funding is automatically extended each year unless a plan reassessment occurs. If your needs change, your provider can submit an updated Roster of Care. You are never stuck with a model or a home that isn’t working for you.
Helpful official NDIS resources for this process:
- NDIS Home and Living overview
- SIL Funding and Budgets guidance
- NDIS Commission — Supported Accommodation standards
- NDIS SIL Easy Read Information Pack (PDF)
What If Neither Option Feels Right? Other NDIS Living Pathways
Shared and individual SIL are not your only pathways to supported independent living under the NDIS. Depending on your goals and circumstances, you might also explore:
- Individualised Living Options (ILO): A more flexible, co-designed arrangement where you choose who you live with and how your support works — including host families, chosen housemates, or living alone with a custom support mix. ILO funding is provided in three bands capped at $105,000, $150,000, or $230,000 depending on your needs. Learn more on the official NDIS ILO page.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Purpose-built, high-quality housing designed for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment. SDA is funded separately from SIL — you can receive both. Explore Care I Wish SDA home vacancies in Melbourne.
- In-home support (drop-in model): If you don’t need 24/7 care, funded drop-in support at your own home may suit you better than a full SIL arrangement. This sits within your Core Supports budget under Assistance with Daily Life.
