SIL, SDA or ILO?
SIL and ILO pay for support. SDA pays for the building. Many people in shared homes have SIL and SDA together; ILO is a different way of living, designed around one person.
- Last checked 2 October 2026
At a glance
| SIL — Supported Independent Living | SDA — Specialist Disability Accommodation | ILO — Individualised Living Options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pays for | Support workers helping or supervising daily tasks, 24/7 | The home itself: specially designed or built housing | A support package you design: paid and informal support |
| Doesn't pay for | Rent, food, bills | Support workers, food, bills | Rent, food, bills |
| Usually for | People with higher support needs who share supports with housemates | People with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs | People who want to live their own way: alone, with a host, or with people they choose |
| Where | A shared home (SDA or ordinary rental) | An enrolled SDA dwelling | Your own home, a host's home, or a shared arrangement |
| How it's funded | Core budget, based on your support needs | Separate SDA funding, by design category and location | Two stages: Exploration and Design, then ILO supports |
| Provider rules | Must be registered with the NDIS Commission from 1 July 2026 | Dwelling must be enrolled with the NDIA | Delivered under NDIS laws and the Code of Conduct |
SIL in more detail
SIL funds the people, not the house. It's usually claimed when housemates who all have NDIS funding share supports, such as overnight staff. Time out in the community is funded from other core supports, not SIL. You pay your own rent or board, food and bills.
SDA in more detail
SDA funds housing built for people whose needs can't be met in ordinary homes. Design categories include Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support. You pay a reasonable rent contribution. Support in an SDA home is funded separately, often through SIL.
ILO in more detail
ILO starts with Exploration and Design: working out where and how you want to live, with a provider and the people close to you. That ends in a service proposal to the NDIA. If approved, ILO supports fund the arrangement and its ongoing monitoring. ILO is designed as an alternative to SIL: you can keep your SIL funding while you explore and design an ILO, but once an ILO support package starts, your SIL funding ends.
Which fits?
- You need support around the clock and are happy to share a home → SIL, in an ordinary home or SDA.
- You need a specially built home → SDA, usually with SIL or other support inside it.
- You want a living arrangement built around you, and some of your support can come from people in your life → ask about ILO.
- Not sure → ask your support coordinator or my NDIS contact for a home and living conversation.
About our homes
Careable provides SIL in two shared homes, in Heidelberg Heights (women) and Macleod (men). Neither home is SDA. See current vacancies.
Sources
Talk to us
Referrals are handled directly by our leadership team. Acknowledged within one business day; capacity answer within two.