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What Is SIL? A Guide for NDIS Families

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:56:53 GMT

How SIL works, who it's for, and how to get started in Sydney or on the Central Coast

Moving out of the family home is a big step for anyone. For a person with disability, and for the parents and carers who love them, it can feel even bigger. Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one of the NDIS supports designed to make that step possible, safely and at the right pace.

What is SIL?

Supported Independent Living is help with, or supervision of, everyday tasks so a person with disability can live as independently as possible in a shared home. SIL pays for the support workers, not the house itself. It is funded through the Core Supports part of an NDIS plan.

Depending on a person's needs, SIL can include support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including active overnight or sleepover support. The aim is not only to help with daily tasks but also to build skills, so the person can do more for themselves over time.

What does SIL support look like day to day?

Personal care, such as showering, dressing and grooming
Cooking and meal preparation
Cleaning, laundry and keeping the home tidy
Managing medication and following health care plans
Building routines, budgeting and other life skills
Getting out into the community and keeping up with friends, work or study

Who is SIL for?

SIL is usually for participants who need a higher level of support at home, often most of the day, and who live with other people in a shared house. It can suit people with disabilities leaving school or the family home, people moving out of hospital or aged care, and people whose current living arrangement is no longer working.

SIL is not the only option. Some participants are better supported by Individualised Living Options (ILO), drop-in support in their own home, or Short Term Accommodation (STA) while they try out living away from home. A good provider will talk through all of these with you.

What does SIL not cover?

SIL does not pay for rent, groceries, utilities or other everyday living costs. These are usually paid by the resident, often from the Disability Support Pension. If a participant needs a specially designed home, that may be funded separately through Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

How do you get SIL in your NDIS plan?

Talk to your support coordinator or NDIS planner about your home and living goals.
Gather evidence of your support needs, such as reports from an occupational therapist and other health professionals.
The NDIA may ask for a Home and Living supports request before deciding on funding.
Once funding is approved, choose a SIL provider and agree on a roster of support that fits your needs.

Because the rules and processes can change, we always recommend checking the latest information on the NDIS website or with your support coordinator.

How Passion Flower Care can help

Passion Flower Disability Care is a family-founded, NDIS registered provider. Our story began with our own son, who has level 3 Autism, so we understand how much trust it takes to hand over the care of someone you love.

We provide Supported Independent Living and Assistance in Shared Living across Sydney and the Central Coast, including support for people with complex and high intensity care needs. Every roster is built around the person, their goals and their health care plans.

Get in touch

If you or someone you care about is looking for NDIS support in Sydney or the Central Coast, call us on 0448 402 108 or make a referral to talk about your support needs. We'd be happy to arrange a chat.

How NDIS Support Helps a Person with Disability Live More Independently

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:23:18 GMT

The right support can change what an ordinary day looks like for a person with disability. Through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), people with disability anywhere in Australia can get support that fits their own goals, whether that means more independence, more confidence or more time out in the community.

At Passion Flower Disability Care , we plan that support around each person's goals, preferences and way of life.

What NDIS support covers

The NDIS funds "reasonable and necessary" supports for eligible people with disability. These are supports that make daily life easier and help with longer-term goals. They can include:

help with daily living
community participation
capacity building and life skills
personal care and support at home

The person decides how that support is used, so they keep choice and control over how they live.

Daily living support at home

Daily living support helps people manage everyday tasks and build their independence over time. That might mean:

personal care and hygiene
cooking meals and doing household jobs
setting up routines that work

We provide in-home NDIS support across Sydney and the Central Coast. We help where help is needed and leave room for people to do what they can themselves.

Capacity building: learning new skills

Capacity building is about practical life skills that last. It can include:

communication and social skills
budgeting and managing money
making decisions and solving problems
feeling more confident out in the community

It suits people who want more control over their daily lives and their plans for the future.

Community participation in Sydney and the Central Coast

Being connected to other people matters for wellbeing. Community participation support helps people take part in their local community in ways they enjoy, such as:

social and recreational activities
community groups and programs
making friends and building social confidence
education, training or volunteering

We support community access across Western Sydney and the Central Coast so people feel part of things.

Why person-centred support matters

Everyone has their own strengths, goals and preferences, so support should be built around the person rather than a one-size-fits-all program. We work closely with:

people with disability
families and carers
support coordinators

Working this way keeps support in line with each person's NDIS plan while respecting their dignity and choices.

Choosing an NDIS provider in Sydney or the Central Coast

Look for a team that understands both the person and the local area. A good NDIS provider should:

offer flexible support that fits the person
communicate clearly and respectfully
encourage independence and choice
know the local services and community options

A provider who knows your area can make the NDIS easier to navigate.

Our NDIS support services

Passion Flower Disability Care is a registered NDIS provider supporting people with disability in Sydney, Blacktown and the Central Coast, NSW. Our services include:

daily living and personal care
community participation
life skills and capacity building
in-home support
respite and short-term support

Get in touch

What Is the NDIS? A Simple Guide to Understanding NDIS Support in Australia

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:17:29 GMT

Who can get the NDIS, how plans and funding work, and how to choose a provider in Sydney or the Central Coast.

If you have a disability, or you're a family member or carer, you've probably heard of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You might still be wondering how it works, who can get it and what kind of support it pays for.

The NDIS is an Australian Government scheme. It gives eligible people with disability funding for supports and services that help them live more independently, take part in their community, build skills and work towards their own goals.

We know the NDIS can feel complicated. This guide explains it in plain English and shows how the right supports can help you get the most out of your plan.

What does NDIS stand for?

NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme. Instead of giving everyone the same services, it's built around the individual. Each participant gets an NDIS plan based on their disability-related needs, their circumstances and their goals. Goals can include:

becoming more independent at home
developing everyday living skills
getting more involved in the community
building social connections
learning new skills
finding work, study or volunteering
feeling more confident with everyday activities
getting help with personal care or household tasks

Because everyone is different, no two NDIS plans need to look the same.

Who is eligible for the NDIS?

To become an NDIS participant, a person generally needs to meet requirements about age, residency and disability (or early intervention). You must be aged 0 to 64 when you apply. You also need to live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a Protected Special Category Visa holder.

The disability requirements look at whether your disability comes from an impairment that is permanent or likely to be permanent, significantly affects everyday activities and is likely to mean you'll need NDIS supports on an ongoing basis. There is also a separate early intervention pathway for people who could benefit from getting the right support early, because it may improve how they function or reduce the support they need later.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) decides who is eligible. If you're not sure whether you qualify, contact the NDIS or your local NDIS partner.

How does the NDIS work?

Once you're accepted as a participant, you get your own NDIS plan. The planning process looks at things like:

your current circumstances
your disability-related support needs
what matters to you
your daily activities
your short- and long-term goals
the support you already get from family, community and other services
supports that could help you become more independent

Your plan then sets out funding you can use for approved NDIS supports. Plans can have different budgets, amounts and funding periods depending on each person's needs, and not every participant is funded for every type of support.

What can NDIS funding be used for?

NDIS funding has to be spent on supports that meet the NDIS funding rules and fit with your plan. Depending on your needs and approved funding, that may include the supports below.

Assistance with daily living

Daily living support helps with everyday tasks while you stay as independent as possible. It can include help with:

personal care
showering and grooming
dressing
preparing meals
daily routines
household jobs
laundry and cleaning
keeping the home organised

The amount of help should match your abilities, preferences and goals.

In-home and drop-in support

Not everyone needs help around the clock. Drop-in or in-home support suits people who want to live independently but need a hand at certain times of day or with particular tasks, such as morning routines, meals, housework or appointments.

Our approach at Passion Flower Disability Care is to support independence, not to do everything for the person.

Community participation

Being part of the community is part of everyday life. Community participation support can help participants take part in social, recreational and community activities that fit their goals. Depending on the person, that might mean:

going to community events
going shopping
visiting local places of interest
recreational activities
joining community groups
building social confidence
practising communication skills
getting to appointments
trying volunteering
making friends and local connections

We think community activities should have a purpose, be the person's choice and be something they enjoy. They should reflect what the person likes and wants to achieve, rather than just filling in time.

Life skills and capacity building

Practical skills help people become more confident and independent. Capacity building support can focus on:

cooking and preparing meals
shopping
budgeting
communication
personal organisation
time management
using public transport
making decisions
household routines
social skills
confidence out in the community

Wherever possible, the aim is for the person to build their own abilities.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Supported Independent Living (SIL) helps eligible people who need support to live as independently as possible at home. It can include help with, or supervision of, everyday activities such as:

personal care
preparing meals
household routines
independent living skills
getting out into the community
medication-related support where appropriate
confidence with day-to-day tasks

SIL arrangements depend on each participant's approved supports, needs and living situation. Passion Flower Disability Care offers person-centred support and SIL options across Sydney, Blacktown and the Central Coast.

Help with travel and transport

Getting out and about makes a big difference to independence and social life. Depending on your plan and circumstances, support may help you get to:

community activities
appointments
shopping
social outings
day programs
work or volunteering
other approved community activities

It's about more than getting from A to B. Where it fits your plan, the aim is more independence and a stronger connection with your community.

Respite and short-term support

Families and carers can benefit from short-term support too. Depending on the plan, short-term support can give the participant a break from their usual routine and a chance to build independence, try new things and spend time away from home. Whether it's suitable and funded depends on the person's circumstances and NDIS plan.

What does "reasonable and necessary" mean?

You'll often hear the phrase "reasonable and necessary" when people talk about NDIS funding. Under the current rules, a funded support generally needs to relate to the person's disability, help them work towards their goals, be value for money and be likely to be effective and beneficial, among other requirements.

The NDIA looks at the information and evidence provided about the participant when deciding what to fund. That's why two people with the same diagnosis can end up with very different plans. The NDIS looks at the person's circumstances, how their disability affects them day to day, their goals and their support needs, not just the diagnosis.

Choice and control under the NDIS

One of the main ideas behind the NDIS is giving participants more choice and control. That means having more say in:

the goals you want to work on
the supports you get
how those supports are delivered
who provides them
when they're provided
how you want to take part in everyday life

A good provider listens first and plans support with you, not for you.

How to choose the right NDIS provider

The provider you choose can make a big difference to your experience. When comparing providers, these questions are worth asking.

Do they listen to me? Your preferences, goals and choices should guide your support.

Can they tailor their services? Support shouldn't feel like a one-size-fits-all program.

Do they encourage independence? Good support helps you do as much as you can yourself and steps in where you need it.

Are support workers well matched? Personality, interests, communication style and support needs all affect how well a participant and worker get on.

Do they communicate well with families and support teams? With the participant's consent, good communication between the provider, family, carers, support coordinators and allied health professionals makes support more consistent.

Do they know your local area? A local provider can point you to activities, opportunities and resources nearby.

How Passion Flower Disability Care can help

Passion Flower Disability Care is an NDIS registered provider supporting people with disability across Sydney, Western Sydney, Blacktown and the Central Coast. Our motto is "Nurturing Abilities, Transforming Lives". We focus on each person's abilities, preferences and goals rather than defining them by their disability. Our services include:

assistance with daily living
personal care
in-home and drop-in support
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
community participation
group and centre-based activities
life skills and capacity building
household tasks
help with travel and transport
respite and short-term support
community nursing and disability-related supports where appropriate

All of them are designed to build independence, community participation and quality of life through personalised support.

Support that starts with you

For us, person-centred support means getting to know the person behind the NDIS plan. We want to know:

what you enjoy
what you're good at
what you'd like to learn
what independence means to you
what support works for you
what doesn't
where you'd like your life to go next

From there, we work with you on support that's practical and fits your goals, whether that's help at home, getting out into the community, building life skills or becoming more independent day to day.

If you're looking for an NDIS provider in Blacktown, Western Sydney or the Central Coast, we're happy to talk through your needs and explain the supports we offer. It doesn't matter whether you already have a plan, you're changing providers or you're just looking at your options.