Supported independent living (SIL) funding pays for disability-related support workers and supervision. You usually pay your own rent, groceries and household bills. Before agreeing to a living arrangement, ask for those costs to be shown separately.
This distinction helps you compare offers. A weekly support quote and a weekly board payment pay for different things, even when they come from the same organisation.
Support that SIL may include
Depending on your assessed needs and approved arrangement, workers may help with personal care, cooking, household routines and safety. The support may be shared with housemates or provided individually.
The NDIS SIL provider guide describes the support activities and the living expenses SIL excludes. It also explains that payment arrangements need to fit the available funding.
Ask your provider to explain the proposed hours and level of support using your week. When would a worker help you get ready? What happens while you are at work or a day activity? What assistance is planned overnight?
Costs you need to budget for
Ordinary household expenses generally remain your responsibility. These can include:
- Rent or an agreed housing contribution.
- Food and groceries.
- Electricity, water and internet charges.
- Ordinary furniture and household purchases.
- Personal spending and the usual costs of outings.
The cost of a worker helping you cook is different from the cost of ingredients. Similarly, help organising bills does not mean SIL pays the bills.
If you are shown one board figure, ask what it contains. Clarify how the amount changes if you are away, how shared groceries are purchased and whether you can see a breakdown of expenses. Do not assume every household uses the same payment system.
Specialist housing is a separate arrangement
Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) funds eligible specialist housing, rather than support workers. Receiving SIL does not automatically mean you have SDA funding.
If your home is SDA, the NDIS SDA guide explains that you pay a reasonable rent contribution and day-to-day costs. The rent contribution is subject to a maximum under the SDA pricing arrangements. Ask the housing provider to explain your proposed contribution in writing.
Read the support quote alongside the agreement
Check that the quote matches the support you have discussed. Ask how shared and individual hours are recorded, which rates apply and what happens if your routine changes.
Use the NDIS service agreement guide to check that the service description, hours, charges and extra fees are clear. Ask who reviews the arrangement if your support needs or available funding change.
Keep housing costs in the tenancy or housing documentation and support costs in the service documentation. If figures do not match, ask the relevant provider to correct them before you agree.
Put the quote into a weekly budget
Use a simple worksheet to check where each payment comes from. These are headings to complete with actual quotes, not estimates of what a household should charge.
| Payment | Details to confirm |
|---|---|
| Support | Worker hours, rates and any extra charges in the service agreement |
| Rent | Agreed amount and due date in your housing documents |
| Food and shared costs | What board includes and how purchases are split |
| Bills and spending | Regular bills and money for occasional purchases |
Check the personal total
Put the personal costs into a budget alongside your income and other commitments. Include irregular purchases such as clothes, haircuts and replacement household items, so the weekly figure does not overlook them.
If you have a support coordinator or plan manager, ask for help understanding the proposed support charges and your available funding. Take questions about rent or board to the housing provider. Keep any unresolved charge on a written question list until you receive an answer.
For a viewing checklist covering housemates, costs and agreements, see choosing a SIL home. You can also read our supported independent living service.