Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Melbourne: A Complete 2026 Guide
Supported Independent Living, usually shortened to SIL, is one of the most significant supports the NDIS funds, and one of the most misunderstood. It can be life-changing for participants who need help at home every day, but it is also complex, expensive, and now subject to mandatory registration from 2026. This guide explains what SIL is, who it suits, how it is funded, and how to find the right SIL arrangement in Melbourne.
Sky Care Solutions delivers Supported Independent Living across Melbourne as a registered NDIS provider. This guide is written to help you make an informed decision, whether or not you choose us.
Quick answer: what is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding for help with everyday tasks so a participant can live as independently as possible, usually in a shared home with other participants, with support available up to 24 hours a day. It covers assistance with things like personal care, cooking, cleaning and daily routines, and the supervision needed for safety. SIL is for people with higher support needs who require help at home most or all of the time. From 1 July 2026, all SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Commission.
What SIL covers, and what it does not
SIL funds the support you receive in your home: help or supervision with daily tasks, personal care, meal preparation, medication prompting, and building your daily living skills. It is usually delivered in a shared home where support is rostered across residents.
SIL does not pay for your rent or the house itself. Housing is funded separately, often through Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for those who qualify, or through private rental, social housing or family arrangements. It is important to understand this split: SIL is the support, housing is separate.
Who is SIL for?
SIL is designed for participants with higher, ongoing support needs, who need help at home regularly throughout the day or night. It suits people who want to live more independently than in a family or institutional setting but who cannot safely live without regular support. If your needs are lighter, other supports such as assistance with self-care or domestic assistance delivered in your own home may be a better and more flexible fit.
SIL vs SDA: what is the difference?
| SIL | SDA | |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | The support and supervision you receive | The specialist, accessible housing itself |
| Who provides it | A registered SIL provider | An SDA housing provider |
| Who it is for | People needing regular daily support | People with extreme functional impairment or very high needs |
| Registration | Mandatory from 1 July 2026 | Enrolled dwellings, separately regulated |
Many participants have SIL without SDA, living in an ordinary rented home with support. Only a smaller group with very high needs qualify for SDA. The two can work together but are funded and provided separately.
How is SIL funded?
SIL sits in your Core Supports budget and is a "stated" support, meaning it is specified in your plan rather than fully flexible. Because SIL is high-cost, the NDIA usually requires a roster of care and a quote showing the support hours needed across a household. Your support coordinator typically helps put this together. The amount funded depends on your assessed needs and how support is shared in a shared home.
Mandatory SIL registration from 2026
From 1 July 2026, providers delivering SIL must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This was one of the first reforms to take effect because SIL involves some of the most vulnerable participants living in supported housing around the clock. For you, it means every legitimate SIL provider must meet the Practice Standards and be independently audited. Always confirm a SIL provider's registration on the public register before committing.
How to find the right SIL home in Melbourne
- Get clear on your needs with your coordinator: how much support, what times, and any specific requirements.
- Consider housemate compatibility. In a shared SIL home, who you live with matters as much as the support. Ask how the provider matches housemates.
- Check the location. Proximity to family, community, transport and health services affects quality of life.
- Verify registration on the Commission register.
- Visit and ask questions about staffing, overnight support, and how concerns are handled.
- Understand the housing separately so you know what SIL covers and what you pay for the home.
Questions to ask a SIL provider
- Are you registered for SIL, and what is your provider number?
- How do you match housemates, and can I meet them first?
- What does the staffing roster look like, including overnight?
- How are support workers trained and screened?
- What happens if a housemate arrangement is not working?
- How is the housing arranged, and what are my costs?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SIL pay for my rent?
No. SIL funds the support you receive at home, not the housing. Rent and housing costs are separate, funded through SDA for those who qualify, or through private rental, social housing or family arrangements.
Do I have to live with other people to get SIL?
SIL is most commonly delivered in shared homes because support is shared efficiently across residents, but some participants receive SIL in an individual living arrangement depending on their needs and funding. Individualised Living Options is another alternative worth discussing with your coordinator.
Is SIL available across all of Melbourne?
Yes, SIL is delivered across metropolitan Melbourne. Availability of a specific shared home depends on vacancies and housemate compatibility, so it is worth starting the conversation early.
Do SIL providers have to be registered in 2026?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, all providers delivering Supported Independent Living must be registered with the NDIS Commission. Always verify a provider's registration before committing.
How much support does SIL include?
SIL can include support up to 24 hours a day, depending on your assessed needs and how support is shared in your home. The exact level is set out in your plan based on a roster of care.
What is the difference between SIL and in-home support?
SIL is a structured, often shared living arrangement for people with higher needs requiring regular daily support. In-home support such as personal care or domestic assistance is more flexible and delivered in your own home, suiting people with lighter or more variable needs.
Talk to a registered SIL provider in Melbourne
SIL is a big decision, and the right arrangement depends on your needs, your preferred housemates and your location. Sky Care Solutions is a registered NDIS provider delivering Supported Independent Living across Melbourne. We will talk you through your options honestly, including when in-home support might suit you better.
Call 03 7047 9499 or book a free consultation. Registered NDIS provider 4050172644.
Last updated July 2026. General information only, not personal advice.
