Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the highest-cost NDIS supports, providing around-the-clock assistance to help participants live as independently as possible. Because of this, the NDIA has specific eligibility criteria that must be met. This guide explains what you need to demonstrate to access SIL funding.
The Critical Threshold for SIL Eligibility
To be potentially eligible for SIL, you must demonstrate that you need some level of overnight support due to your disability. This is the key distinguishing factor between SIL and other NDIS home supports.
According to NDIS Operational Guidelines, the NDIA considers participants potentially eligible for SIL if they meet all three criteria:
- Active support for 8+ hours daily: You need active disability support for at least 8 hours per day
- Overnight support requirement: You need some level of support at other times, including overnight
- Reasonable and necessary: SIL would meet the NDIS funding criteria (no other support type can meet your needs)
What is SIL Funding?
SIL (Supported Independent Living) funding pays for the support workers who help you with daily tasks in your home. It covers:
- Assistance with personal care (showering, dressing, toileting)
- Help with meal preparation and eating
- Medication management and health supports
- Household tasks you can't do independently
- Building daily living skills
- Overnight support (active or sleepover)
Understanding Overnight Support Requirements
A key part of SIL eligibility is demonstrating you need overnight support connected to your disability. The NDIA funds two types of overnight support:
| Overnight Support Type | When It's Funded | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepover Support | You need up to 2 hours of awake support overnight | A support worker sleeps at the residence and is available if needed during the night |
| Active Overnight Support | You need more than 2 hours of awake support overnight | A support worker remains awake during normal sleeping hours to provide active support due to your disability |
Your evidence must clearly explain why you need overnight support - this must be directly related to your disability, such as:
- Seizure management requiring monitoring
- Overnight personal care needs (toileting, repositioning)
- Behaviour support requirements
- Medical interventions during the night
- Safety supervision due to cognitive impairment
The Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)
A Functional Capacity Assessment is the most critical piece of evidence for SIL funding. This must be completed by a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) or in some cases a Psychologist.
What Your FCA Must Include
For your FCA to support a SIL application, it must comprehensively address:
- Functional capacity across 6 domains: Communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, and self-management
- Daily support needs: Specific details of what support you require throughout the day AND overnight
- Why informal supports are insufficient: The report must explain why family and friends cannot meet all of your daily living needs
- Reference to SIL eligibility: The OT should explicitly address the NDIS "reasonable and necessary" criteria
- High intensity needs (if applicable): Documentation of any complex care requirements
High Intensity Support Needs
If you have high intensity needs, your FCA must include evidence from an independent provider (reports no older than 2 years). High intensity needs include:
- 24/7 active and continuous assistance with all daily tasks
- Active overnight support requirements
- Frequent assistance with managing complex behaviours
- Active management of complex medical needs (ventilation, seizures, dysphagia)
Required Evidence for SIL Funding
To request SIL funding, you'll need to gather comprehensive evidence. The NDIA requires:
1 Functional Capacity Assessment
A detailed FCA from an Occupational Therapist documenting your support needs across all functional domains, including overnight needs.
2 Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form
The official NDIA form that must accompany your request. Available from the NDIS website.
3 Professional Reports
Letters and reports from treating professionals (GP, specialists, behaviour support practitioners) supporting your need for 24/7 support.
4 Roster of Care
A detailed schedule prepared by your SIL provider outlining the support hours, staffing ratios, and overnight arrangements.
The SIL Application Process
Step 1: Obtain a Functional Capacity Assessment
This is the foundation of your SIL application. Work with an Occupational Therapist who has experience with NDIS and SIL assessments. The FCA should comprehensively document:
- Your functional capacity in all 6 life domains
- Specific support needs throughout the day and night
- Why your needs cannot be met by informal supports alone
- Why SIL is reasonable and necessary for you
Tip: Allow 2-4 weeks for a comprehensive FCA to be completed.
Step 2: Work with Your Support Coordinator
Your Support Coordinator plays a crucial role in gathering evidence and preparing your application. They will:
- Help coordinate the FCA and other professional reports
- Complete the Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form
- Gather letters from treating professionals
- Ensure all documentation clearly demonstrates your needs
Step 3: Find a SIL Provider and Vacancy
Research SIL providers and find a suitable vacancy. Consider:
- Location - close to family, services, community connections
- Compatibility with potential housemates and their support needs
- Provider reputation, values, and approach to support
- Available support hours and flexibility
Step 4: Provider Prepares Roster of Care
Your chosen SIL provider will prepare a detailed Roster of Care in consultation with you and your Support Coordinator. This document outlines:
- Specific support hours across each 24-hour period
- Staffing ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, etc.)
- Overnight support arrangements (sleepover or active)
- How support hours relate to your assessed needs
The Roster of Care must align with your FCA findings - the NDIA will compare these documents.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Submit your complete application to the NDIA, including:
- Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form
- Functional Capacity Assessment
- All supporting professional reports
- Roster of Care from your chosen provider
- Your participant profile (if new to SIL)
Applications can be submitted via email to enquiries@ndis.gov.au, by mail, or through your local NDIS office.
What Makes Applications Successful
Based on NDIS guidelines and provider experience, successful SIL applications typically demonstrate:
- Clear connection between disability and overnight support needs
- Comprehensive FCA addressing all functional domains
- Consistent information across all reports and the Roster of Care
- Evidence that informal supports cannot meet all needs
- Explanation of why lower-intensity supports are insufficient
- Recent documentation (ideally within the last 2 years)
Common Reasons SIL Applications Are Declined
- Insufficient evidence of overnight support needs: The critical threshold is demonstrating you need overnight support connected to your disability
- Missing or inadequate FCA: Without a comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment, applications are unlikely to succeed
- Inconsistent information: If your FCA, professional reports, and Roster of Care contradict each other
- Needs could be met by lower-intensity supports: The NDIA may suggest in-home supports or drop-in care instead
- Outdated reports: Evidence older than 2 years may not reflect current needs
What's Included in SIL Funding?
| Included in SIL | Not Included in SIL |
|---|---|
| Support worker wages and supervision | Rent and utilities (may be SDA if eligible) |
| Personal care assistance | Food and groceries |
| Meal preparation support | Personal items and clothing |
| Medication assistance | Community access support (separate funding) |
| Overnight support (sleepover or active) | Allied health therapies |
| Skill development within the home | Assistive technology and equipment |
SIL Support Levels
SIL funding varies based on your assessed support needs:
- Standard Needs: Around-the-clock assistance with most daily activities, sleepover overnight support, ability to spend some time without paid support
- High Intensity Needs: 24/7 active and continuous assistance with all daily tasks, active overnight support, frequent behavioural or complex medical management
How INREACH Supports Can Help
As an experienced SIL provider in Queensland, INREACH Supports offers:
- Guidance through the SIL application process
- Assistance developing your Roster of Care
- Information about our current SIL vacancies
- Tours of our accommodation options
- Transparent pricing and service agreements
- Connections to OTs experienced with SIL assessments
Interested in SIL with INREACH Supports?
Contact our team to discuss SIL options, your eligibility, and current vacancies in Ipswich, Brisbane, and Gold Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get SIL funding?
The process typically takes 2-4 months. This includes time to complete the FCA (2-4 weeks), gather supporting evidence (2-4 weeks), find a provider and vacancy, develop the Roster of Care, and await NDIA decision (typically 28 days once submitted).
Can I get SIL if I only need daytime support?
SIL is specifically for participants who need some level of overnight support. If you only need daytime assistance, other NDIS supports like in-home personal supports or community access may be more appropriate.
Who prepares the Roster of Care?
The SIL provider prepares the Roster of Care in consultation with you, your Support Coordinator, and using input from your FCA and other assessments. The NDIA compares this against your evidence to determine funding.
Can I choose my SIL provider?
Yes! You have choice and control over which SIL provider you use. We recommend visiting properties, meeting the team, and asking about their approach to support before deciding.
What if my SIL application is declined?
You can request an internal review of the decision within 3 months. Common next steps include obtaining a more comprehensive FCA, gathering additional evidence of overnight support needs, or working with an advocate.
Can I live alone with SIL?
Yes, though it's less common and typically requires higher funding. Most SIL arrangements involve shared living to make 24/7 support more cost-effective through shared staffing ratios.