If you’re exploring NDIS home and living options, you’ve probably come across the terms Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL). While they’re often mentioned together, they are two different types of NDIS funding that work together to help people live more independently.
Put simply:
Some participants receive funding for both, while others may be eligible for SIL without requiring SDA.
| Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) | Supported Independent Living (SIL) |
| Funds the specialist home | Funds daily support services |
| Paid to the SDA housing provider | Paid to your SIL provider |
| Covers the building and property maintenance | Covers support workers and daily assistance |
| Purpose-built for people with high and complex support needs | Supports you to live as independently as possible |
Together, SDA and SIL create the right environment and support for people with higher support needs to live safely and independently.
An SDA provider is responsible for the home itself.
When SDA funding is included in your NDIS Plan, the funding is paid directly to your chosen SDA provider to manage the costs of providing and maintaining your specialist home.
Their responsibilities include:
Importantly, SDA providers do not provide your day-to-day disability supports. Their role is to provide and maintain a safe, accessible and compliant home.
The amount of SDA funding available depends on factors including your approved design category, the building type and the location of the property.
A SIL provider is responsible for supporting you to live safely and independently in your home.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides assistance with daily tasks based on your individual support needs. These supports are funded separately to SDA and are delivered according to a Roster of Care, which outlines the level of support you receive throughout the day and overnight.
Depending on your needs, supports may be provided on a one-to-one basis or shared with other participants living in the home.
Your SIL provider may assist with:
The goal of SIL is to help you build skills, increase independence and live the life you choose.
Think of SDA as the home and SIL as the support.
Your SDA provider ensures your home is safe, accessible and maintained to NDIS standards, while your SIL provider delivers the day-to-day support you need to live there.
Because SDA and SIL are funded separately, you have choice and control over each provider. You may choose to receive both services from the same organisation or from different organisations.
For example, My Ability Pathway provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports within SDA homes, allowing participants to receive personalised support while living in purpose-built accommodation provided by registered SDA housing providers.
Once SDA funding has been approved, your Support Coordinator is usually the main person who will help you find a suitable home.
Your SIL provider, family members and other supports may also assist you in understanding your options and preparing for your move.
If you’re already receiving SIL supports, you don’t have to change providers when moving into an SDA home. You can continue with your current provider or choose a new one if you wish.
If a room becomes available in an SDA home, the SDA provider is responsible for managing and reporting the vacancy in line with NDIS requirements.
Similarly, if there’s a vacancy within shared SIL supports, your SIL provider will work to find a suitable new housemate while considering the needs, preferences and compatibility of existing residents.
Neither your SDA provider nor your SIL provider can charge you additional costs because another room in the home is vacant.
Not everyone who receives SIL funding is eligible for SDA, and not everyone living in SDA receives the same level of SIL support.
Your NDIS Plan will outline the supports you’ve been approved for based on your individual goals, functional capacity and support needs.
If you’re unsure whether SDA, SIL or both may be suitable for you, speaking with your Support Coordinator or the My Ability Pathway team is a great place to start.
Image courtesy of Metcalf Inclusive Living
