ILO vs SIL: what is the difference?
SIL pays for support workers who are with you around the clock, usually in a shared home. ILO pays for a package of supports built around the home and the people you choose. Neither one pays your rent.
Call 1800 844 995 Registered NDIS provider in MelbourneLast checked 18 October 2026
The two models at a glance
Both come out of your NDIS plan and both support you at home. They differ in how much support you need and who designs the arrangement.
| SIL | ILO | |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | Support workers who help or supervise you around the clock in your home | A package of supports built around the home and people you choose |
| Who it suits | People who need a worker 24 hours a day, including overnight, with at least 8 hours of active help | People 18 or over who need support at home, paid or unpaid, for at least 6 hours a day |
| Where you live | Usually a shared home with other participants and rostered staff | A home you choose: with a housemate, with a host, or on your own |
| Who supports you | Paid support workers, often shared between housemates | Paid supports plus family, friends and neighbours |
| How it starts | You and your support coordinator find a home, then a SIL provider quotes for the supports | Stage 1: explore and design with an ILO provider. Stage 2: supports start once the NDIA approves your proposal |
| Changing it later | Usually needs a plan change, a move or a new roster | The mix of supports can be adjusted as your needs change |
| Rent | Not covered | Not covered |
Based on the NDIS pages for supported independent living and individualised living options.
Supported Independent Living
Funding for the people, not the property.
SIL helps you live as independently as possible with day-to-day support in your home. You might share a support worker or have your own. Only registered providers can deliver it.
What it covers
- Personal care, like showering and dressing
- Cooking and eating meals
- Household tasks, like cleaning
- Building skills for independence
What it does not
- Rent or other housing costs
- Groceries and everyday expenses
- The building itself, which is SDA
Who it tends to suit
You need a worker with you 24 hours a day, including overnight, plus help with daily activities for at least 8 of those hours and some supervision for the rest. It is usually not the right fit if you only need a few hours of support, or you want to manage your own workers.
Individualised Living Options
You choose the home and the people. The NDIS funds the support around that choice.
Explore and design
You work with an ILO provider to decide where and with whom you will live and what supports you need. The NDIS says this usually takes 30 to 100 hours. It ends with a service proposal that the NDIA uses to set your plan.
Set up and start
Once the proposal is approved, supports begin. They include a main support such as a host or housemate, extra paid or unpaid help, and regular check-ins so the arrangement can change as you do.
What ILO does not cover
Rent or a mortgage, everyday living costs, home modifications, activities outside the home and supports that are not NDIS supports.
Where SDA fits
SIL and ILO fund support. SDA funds the home.
Specialist Disability Accommodation is a purpose-built or modified property for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment. Many participants have SDA for the house and SIL for the support workers inside it. They are separate decisions made by the NDIA.
Explore SDA housing in Victoria
Still deciding?
Short-term respite accommodation can give you a break while you work out the long-term answer. You can estimate the cost with our short-term respite cost calculator.
Which one fits you?
SIL, if
- You need support around the clock, including overnight
- You are comfortable sharing a home and a staff roster
- You already know the kind of home you want
ILO, if
- You need support for 6 or more hours a day, not 24/7
- You want to pick your housemate or host, or live alone
- You need help working out how you want to live
Either way, the NDIA decides on your support needs and the evidence you bring. Reports from therapists such as occupational therapists help show what your days look like. We offer NDIS therapy and allied health services in Melbourne.
What changed in 2026
Dates have moved before, so check with the NDIA or your support coordinator before you decide.
- 27 August 2026
- Reassessments are tighter. Only you, your plan nominee or a child representative can ask for an unscheduled reassessment, and it must be for a significant, ongoing change such as your living situation. Emergencies and short-term changes can still be raised.
- 1 October 2026
- SIL providers must be registered. The NDIS says SIL supports can only be delivered by registered providers, or providers who applied to register before this date. Your plan and funding do not change.
- 1 April 2027
- New framework planning begins. Plans will be built from a structured needs assessment rather than reports you supply. It rolls out in phases, so many people will not see it for some time.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between ILO and SIL?
SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds paid support workers to help or supervise you around the clock in your home, usually a shared one. ILO (Individualised Living Options) funds a personalised package built around where you choose to live, who you live with and how you are supported, and it can combine paid and informal supports.
What does ILO stand for in the NDIS?
ILO stands for Individualised Living Options. It helps you decide where and with whom you live and puts the supports in place, for example in a home shared with a housemate, with a host, or on your own with support.
Does SIL or ILO pay my rent?
No. Neither pays rent, a mortgage or everyday living costs such as groceries. SIL funds the support workers, not the housing. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is the NDIS funding that relates to the home itself.
Who is eligible for SIL?
SIL may suit you if you need a support worker with you 24 hours a day including overnight, help with daily activities for at least 8 of those hours, and some help or supervision during the rest. It may not suit you if you only need a few hours of support a day, or if you live with people who are not NDIS participants.
Who is eligible for ILO?
ILO is for people aged 18 or over, or 17 and planning ahead, who need support at home, formal or informal, for at least 6 hours a day. You also need to be ready to explore your options and put time into designing your future home.
How long does the ILO process take?
ILO has two stages. Stage 1 is exploring and designing your arrangement with an ILO provider, which the NDIS says usually takes 30 to 100 hours depending on your support needs. Stage 2 is setting up and starting the supports once your service proposal is approved.
Can I have SIL and SDA together?
Yes. SDA funds the accessible home and SIL funds the support workers inside it, so many participants have both. They are separate funding decisions made by the NDIA, and SDA is only for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.
Can I switch from SIL to ILO, or the other way?
Possibly, but it usually means a change to your plan, so talk to your support coordinator first. Since 27 August 2026 only you, your plan nominee or a child representative can ask for an unscheduled reassessment, and it must be for a significant, ongoing change such as your living situation.
Do SIL providers have to be registered?
Yes. The NDIS says SIL supports can only be delivered by providers that are registered, or that applied to register before 1 October 2026. Your plan and funding do not change. Caring Hearts is a registered NDIS provider.
Not sure whether SIL or ILO is right for you?
Talk to a registered NDIS provider. We will explain your options and what to raise at your next plan meeting.
1800 844 995Registered NDIS provider in Melbourne