Should I choose Individualised Living Options (ILO) or Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

The primary difference between Individualised Living Options (ILO) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) is that ILO is designed around a single person, while SIL can be accessed whether you live alone or with other NDIS participants. While ILOs offer more flexibility in living arrangements, SIL is a program that provides rostered care with less flexibility in service options. This means the cost for SIL support is based on the roster of care. SIL is suitable for people who need more intense, around-the-clock support, including overnight care, which is ideal for those with higher support needs, focusing on 24/7 care, supervision of daily tasks, and personal care.

In contrast, ILO funding is aimed at people with lower support needs who want to explore different options to decide how they want to live, covering the cost of any paid supports they choose to include in their plan.

A key difference between SIL and ILO is that ILO support packages can include informal supports in your plan, such as friends and family, alongside your paid supports like drop-in support workers.

Here’s a way to better understand the differences between SIL and ILO:

• SIL funding helps you live more independently at home by providing a shared home where you'll have 24/7 support. It helps people with high support needs live as independently as possible, supported by paid workers and fellow residents. Living in a SIL home means you’ll share support workers with your housemates. To use SIL funding, you’ll work with your Support Coordinator to determine the level and type of support you need, then find a suitable SIL house where other residents have similar needs and goals to yours.

• ILO funding allows you to live your life the way you choose by exploring different living arrangements. It lets you decide where you live, who you live with, and what supports you need. ILO exists to give people with lower support needs control over their living situation and the supports they choose to include in their plan. You can use ILO to try out different living arrangements, such as living with a host, with housemates or friends, or even living alone. ILO is all about creating a support package that matches your preferences, needs, and goals, so everyone’s ILO package will be unique. An ILO package can include paid supports, as well as informal supports like family, friends, or even neighbours. ILO funding is a great option for people already in a living situation that works well, but who just need extra support.

Let’s look at the differences in more detail:

SIL	ILO
A good option for people who know how they want to live and how much support they need	Suitable for people who don’t know how they want to live or how much support they need, and want help figuring it out
Appropriate for people with higher support needs as it provides 24/7 support in the house	Suitable for people with lower support needs as it can involve occasional drop-in support workers to suit your needs and goals
Support staff are shared with housemates	Support staff work one-on-one with you when they visit
Usually provided in shared accommodation managed by a SIL provider	Can be provided in a range of living situations, often with a host or in shared accommodation with housemates
Includes paid supports in your support package	Includes both paid and informal supports in your support package
Less flexible – changing your supports may require a plan reassessment, a move to a different home, or living with different housemates	Flexible – you can change your mix of supports easily by checking in with your ILO Provider

How does funding for SIL and ILO work?

SIL and ILO funding work differently from most other types of NDIS funding.

How most NDIS funding works	How SIL funding works	How ILO funding works
You receive your NDIS plan with dollar amounts assigned to various categories.	You receive funding for SIL, but it doesn’t have an exact dollar amount assigned.	You receive funding for ILO, but it doesn’t have an exact dollar amount assigned.
You decide which service providers you want to go with.	You work with your Support Coordinator and relevant providers (e.g., OT) to determine your support level and weekly costs.	You choose a Support Coordinator to help you explore options and design your support package.
You sign on to receive supports.	You work with your Support Coordinator to find a suitable SIL house.	You work with your Support Coordinator to design your own support package.
	Your SIL provider will provide a quote for the whole house.

Please make sure to research and gather as much information as you can before making a decision on which option to choose. If you have more queries, feel free to contact us – we’re here to assist and support you through the process.

Author: Hugh Vo (Registered Nurse/Support Coordinator), founder of NSC

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