Illustration of a small house with hearts labelled support, representing NDIS home and living supports

SIL vs SDA: What’s the Difference and How Do They Work Together?

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If you’re exploring home and living options under the NDIS, you’ll quickly come across two terms that sound alike: SIL and SDA. They often go together, but they fund different things. Knowing the difference makes it much easier to talk with your planner, compare homes and ask providers the right questions.

In short, SIL is about the support and SDA is about the home. Here’s what each one means, how they work together, and what to think about next.

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

Supported Independent Living is NDIS funding for support workers who help with, or supervise, everyday tasks in your home. It’s generally for people with higher support needs who need help at home for all or most of the day. You can read the NDIA’s overview on its What is supported independent living page.

SIL supports can include things like:

  • personal care
  • cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping
  • making and getting to appointments
  • medication support
  • building everyday living skills, so you can do more for yourself over time
  • overnight support where your plan includes it

SIL is often shared. You might live with housemates who also have SIL in their plans and share support workers, although some people live on their own. SIL doesn’t cover rent, groceries, utilities or other day-to-day living costs.

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

Specialist Disability Accommodation is NDIS funding for the home itself. SDA homes are designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, and include features like wider doorways, accessible kitchens, ceiling hoists or automated doors. SDA can be a house, apartment, villa, duplex or townhouse. The NDIA explains more on its What is specialist disability accommodation page.

SDA design categories

Every SDA home is built to one of four design categories set out in the NDIA’s SDA Design Standard:

  • Improved Liveability: a reasonable level of physical access, with features that help people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment
  • Fully Accessible: a high level of physical access for people with significant physical impairment
  • Robust: a high level of physical access, built to be very resilient and to reduce the need for reactive maintenance
  • High Physical Support: a high level of physical access for people who need very high levels of support, and may include ceiling hoists, backup power or home automation

SDA funding is only included in a plan when the NDIA decides a participant meets the SDA eligibility criteria. The details are in the NDIA’s SDA operational guideline. When you live in SDA, the NDIS pays the SDA provider, and you usually pay a reasonable rent contribution and your own living costs such as electricity and food.

SIL vs SDA at a glance

  • What it funds: SIL funds support workers. SDA funds specially designed housing.
  • Who it’s for: SIL is for people with higher support needs who need help at home for most or all of the day. SDA is for a smaller group of participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
  • Who provides it: a SIL provider delivers the support. An SDA provider owns or manages the home.
  • What you pay: neither covers everyday living costs like food and bills. In SDA you also usually pay a reasonable rent contribution.

How SIL and SDA work together

Some participants have both SIL and SDA in their plan. In that case, one organisation provides the home and another usually provides the day-to-day support. The NDIA expects the two to be kept separate, which is a good thing for you: it means your housing and your support are separate arrangements, each with its own agreement.

That’s also how we work. At Felicity Holistic Care, SDA and SIL homes are provided by our preferred housing partners, and the SIL supports inside the home are provided by our team. You can see some of the homes where we provide support on our Supported Independent Living page.

You don’t need SDA to get SIL

Plenty of people receive SIL without living in SDA. SIL can be delivered in private rentals, privately owned homes and shared homes, as well as SDA residences. If you don’t need or aren’t eligible for SDA, SIL in another type of home may still suit you well.

Other home and living options

SIL and SDA aren’t the only choices. Depending on your goals, the NDIA may also talk with you about options like individualised living options (ILO) or support in your own home. The NDIA’s guide to home and living options is a helpful place to start.

Getting SIL or SDA in your plan

Both SIL and SDA are home and living supports, and the NDIA decides whether to include them based on your needs and goals. It helps to:

  • tell your planner or local area coordinator about your home and living goals
  • gather recent evidence from your treating professionals, such as an occupational therapist’s report about the support you need each day
  • explain what other options you’ve considered

The NDIA’s page on how to ask for home and living supports explains the process. A support coordinator can help you prepare, and our guide to Level 3 specialist support coordination explains when a more specialised coordinator may be included.

Choosing a SIL provider

From 1 July 2026, SIL providers must register with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, with transition arrangements for existing providers. The Commission explains this on its SIL registration page, and you can check a provider on the Commission’s Provider Register.

When you’re ready to look for a home, our guide on how to find a SIL vacancy in Victoria walks through the steps and the questions worth asking.

Frequently asked questions

Is SIL the same as SDA?

No. SIL is funding for the support workers who help you with everyday tasks at home. SDA is funding for the home itself, for people who need specially designed housing. Some people have both in their plan, and many people receive SIL without SDA.

Do I need SDA to get SIL?

No. SIL can be delivered in lots of different homes, including private rentals, privately owned houses and shared homes. SDA is only for participants who meet the NDIA’s SDA eligibility criteria.

Does SIL or SDA pay my rent?

SIL doesn’t cover rent, groceries or other day-to-day living costs. If you live in SDA, the NDIS funds the SDA provider and you usually pay a reasonable rent contribution plus your own living costs such as bills and food.

Can my SIL provider and my SDA provider be different organisations?

Yes. The NDIA expects SDA and SIL to be kept separate, and they are often delivered by different organisations. At Felicity Holistic Care, homes are provided by our preferred housing partners and the SIL supports are provided by us.

How do I find out if I’m eligible for SDA?

The NDIA decides SDA eligibility based on evidence about your support needs, usually including reports from your treating professionals such as an occupational therapist. Talk to your planner, local area coordinator or support coordinator about your home and living goals.

Talk to us about SIL

Felicity Holistic Care provides SIL supports in homes across Melbourne, Western Melbourne, Geelong and regional Victoria, working with our preferred housing partners. If you have SIL in your plan, or you’re working towards it, we’re happy to talk through your options. Contact us, call us on 1300 589 176, or make a referral.

This guide is general information only and is current as at September 2026. It isn’t financial or legal advice. NDIS guidelines are updated from time to time, so please check the details for your own situation with the NDIA on 1800 800 110, your planner or local area coordinator, or your support coordinator.