This is one of the most common questions asked by NDIS participants and their families. If you own property, you might worry that the government will count your home as an asset and say you don’t qualify for Supported Independent Living. The good news is: that’s not how SIL works.
In this guide — written for Australians in Sydney and NSW — we’ll walk you through exactly how Supported Independent Living works, what it covers, who qualifies, and what your options are as a homeowner. We’ve researched the current 2026 NDIS rules carefully so this information is accurate and up to date.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living is an NDIS-funded support that helps people with disability live as independently as possible. A registered SIL provider in Sydney supplies trained support workers who assist with everyday tasks — things like personal care, preparing meals, managing medications, household tasks, and getting out in the community.
Importantly, SIL is about the support, not the building. The funding pays for people, not property. You can receive SIL in a shared group home, in your own home, or in a rented property.
SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds the daily support services you receive. SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) funds the physical building. They are separate funding streams. Many people confuse the two — and homeowners especially worry about the wrong thing.
Under the 2026 NDIS rules, SIL sits within your Core Supports budget via the PACE system. This means greater flexibility in how your funding is used compared to older, line-item based plans. You must also endorse your SIL provider in the PACE system as “My Provider” before they can claim payments.
Can you access Supported Independent Living if you own your home?
Absolutely yes. The NDIS has no means test or asset test for SIL funding. Whether you own a home worth $500,000 or $2 million, it plays no role in whether the NDIS will fund your daily living supports.
There are actually two very different questions here that people often mix up:
- Can I receive SIL support while living in my own home? — Yes. A registered SIL provider can deliver support workers directly to your home. You own the property; they provide the people who help you.
- Can I move out of my home into SIL accommodation? — Yes. If you choose to move to a shared SIL home or specialist accommodation, the NDIS does not require you to sell your home first. What happens to your property is your own decision.
“Sarah, a 38-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis, owned her apartment in the Inner West of Sydney. In early 2026, her support needs increased significantly after a relapse. Her NDIS planner approved SIL funding based on her functional assessment — her home ownership was never raised as an issue. She now receives daily support at home from a registered SIL provider.”
— Case study shared by a Sydney support coordinator, 2026
What about rent? Does owning a home change what SIL covers?
SIL funding never covers rent — for anyone, homeowner or not. This is a common point of confusion. If you move into a SIL home that is rented, you pay rent from your own income (or Centrelink payments). If you stay in your own home, you obviously don’t pay rent. Either way, your SIL funding pays only for the support workers and associated services.
See our detailed guide on whether you pay rent in Supported Independent Living for a full breakdown.
SIL vs SDA: understanding the difference
This is the source of most confusion for homeowners. Here’s a clear breakdown:
| Feature | SIL (Support) | SDA (Housing) |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | Support workers & daily assistance | Physical property/building costs |
| Can you receive it in your own home? | Yes | No |
| Asset/home ownership affects eligibility? | No | No |
| Covers rent or mortgage? | No | Contributes to housing costs (SDA eligible properties only) |
| Who qualifies | Participants needing significant daily support | Only ~6% of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment |
| Funding sits in | Core Supports (PACE) | Capital Supports |
Most homeowners considering SIL only need to think about SIL funding — not SDA. SDA is a specialist pathway for people with extreme physical support needs who require purpose-built accessible properties. It affects a small minority of NDIS participants.
Who is eligible for Supported Independent Living NDIS?
Your home ownership status is irrelevant to SIL eligibility. What matters is your level of daily support need. To qualify for SIL, the NDIS generally requires that you:
- Are an NDIS participant with an approved plan
- Have a permanent and significant disability affecting daily functioning
- Need substantial assistance with daily living tasks for a significant part of the day
- Cannot safely live independently without regular paid support
- Are under 65 years of age (when first joining the NDIS)
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a Protected Special Category Visa
Under the NDIS’s new planning framework rolling out from mid-2026, SIL eligibility will increasingly be determined through a Support Needs Assessment (SNA) using the I-CAN v6 tool for participants 16 and over. Strong functional evidence from your treating health professionals is more important than ever. A good occupational therapy report, GP letters, and a detailed Roster of Care can significantly strengthen your application.
If you can manage daily life with only occasional or drop-in support (a few hours a day), the NDIS is more likely to fund Individualised Living Options (ILO) or other supports rather than full SIL. The test is always “reasonable and necessary.”
How to apply for Supported Independent Living funding
Applying for SIL takes planning and patience. From initial request to moving in, the process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Here’s a simplified roadmap:
- Confirm you are an NDIS participant. If you don’t have an NDIS plan yet, start by applying for NDIS access through the NDIA. Once approved, you’ll get a planning meeting.
- Gather evidence of your support needs. Collect reports from your occupational therapist, GP, psychiatrist, or other treating health professionals. These must show how your disability affects your daily functioning and why 24/7 or high-level support is necessary.
- Work with a Support Coordinator. A Support Coordinator will help you prepare for your planning meeting, identify suitable SIL providers, and navigate the NDIS process. Most people with SIL funding also have a Support Coordinator in their plan.
- Request SIL at your planning meeting. At your next plan review or planning meeting, clearly state you are requesting SIL. Your evidence needs to demonstrate that SIL is reasonable and necessary for your goals. Learn more about how long SIL funding approval takes.
- A Roster of Care is prepared. Your SIL provider and Support Coordinator work with the NDIA to prepare a detailed Roster of Care — a document outlining exactly what supports you need and when.
- Choose your SIL provider and home. Once your SIL funding is approved, research SIL vacancies in Sydney and NSW. Visit homes, ask questions, and choose a provider that fits your lifestyle and goals.
- Endorse your provider in PACE. Under the current NDIS system, you must endorse your chosen SIL provider as “My Provider” in the PACE system so they can claim payments against your plan.
If you plan to receive SIL support in your own home (rather than moving into a SIL property), make sure this is clearly documented in your goals and evidence. Mention that you have accommodation already organised — the NDIS views this positively as it shows your housing situation is stable, and your funding request can focus purely on your support needs.
What does Supported Independent Living cover — and what does it not cover?
Understanding exactly what SIL pays for avoids nasty surprises. For a deeper look, read our full article: what does NDIS Supported Independent Living include and not include.
| SIL does cover | SIL does not cover |
|---|---|
| Support worker wages (day, evening, overnight) | Rent or mortgage payments |
| Staff supervision and coordination | Groceries and food |
| Assistance with personal care (bathing, dressing) | Utility bills (electricity, internet, water) |
| Help with meal preparation | Personal entertainment costs |
| Household task assistance | Medical costs not NDIS-related |
| Life skills development (budgeting, cooking) | Property modifications (separate NDIS funding) |
| Medication assistance | Transport (claimed separately from Core Supports) |
| Community participation support (within home) | Holiday or respite costs |
Finding SIL accommodation in Sydney and NSW
Sydney has one of the most active SIL markets in Australia. Whether you’re looking for SIL vacancies in the Inner West, Western Sydney, the North Shore, or regional NSW, there are options across a range of housing types and support intensities.
Common SIL accommodation options in Sydney include:
- Shared group homes — typically 2–5 participants sharing a home with rostered support workers (most common and most cost-effective)
- Individual SIL in your own home — support workers come to your home (requires strong evidence for sole-occupancy funding)
- Combined SIL + SDA properties — specialist accessible homes for participants with very high physical needs
- Apartment or unit setups — supported living in standard residential properties
Demand for SIL homes in Sydney remains high, particularly in Western Sydney, Liverpool, and Parramatta areas. Wait times for a suitable SIL vacancy can range from 3 to 18 months depending on your location preference, support needs, and housemate compatibility. Starting early and working with an experienced SIL provider like MaxAbility Services reduces delays significantly.
As a homeowner, you have an advantage: your housing situation is already stable. This means you can take time to find the right SIL provider and the right home, rather than moving out of necessity. Some homeowners choose to rent their property while in SIL, creating an income stream to help with ongoing living costs.
How MaxAbility Services can help
MaxAbility Services is a registered NDIS SIL provider based in Sydney, supporting participants across NSW. We specialise in helping people navigate the SIL process — whether you want support in your own home, are looking for SIL vacancies in Sydney, or need help understanding what your NDIS plan will fund.
Our experienced team can assist you with your Roster of Care preparation, SIL funding requests, matching you to suitable homes and housemates, and connecting you with Support Coordinators who understand the local Sydney market. We are fully registered, meeting the mandatory provider registration requirements that came into effect in July 2026.
Explore our SIL services →Pros and key considerations for homeowners accessing SIL
- Home ownership does not affect eligibility at all
- You can keep your home while accessing SIL
- Option to rent your property for extra income
- Stable housing gives you more choice in SIL arrangements
- SIL support can come to your own home
- No means testing or asset assessment by NDIS
- Greater negotiating position with SIL providers
- Sole-occupancy SIL (alone in your own home) requires strong evidence
- SIL does not cover rent or living costs regardless of circumstances
- Moving into SIL accommodation means ongoing rental costs to manage
- Property maintenance is your responsibility, not NDIS funded
- Approval process is lengthy — plan 12–24 months
- 2026 PACE system requires active provider endorsement steps
Frequently asked questions about SIL and home ownership
No. The NDIS does not apply any means test or asset test for SIL funding. Your home, savings, investments, or other assets play no role in whether you qualify for Supported Independent Living. Eligibility is assessed purely on the basis of your disability and your daily support needs.
Yes. SIL can be delivered in your own home — whether you own or rent it. However, receiving SIL as a sole occupant (living alone with support workers) requires you to provide strong evidence that shared accommodation is not suitable for your specific needs. This might include medical, psychological, or social reasons. Your Support Coordinator can help you build this case.
No. You are not required to sell your home to move into SIL accommodation. What you choose to do with your property is entirely your own decision. Many people keep their home and rent it out, creating rental income. Others keep it available for family use, or as a long-term financial asset.
This is a separate question from NDIS eligibility, and the answer depends on your individual circumstances. If you move into SIL accommodation and also own a rental property, Centrelink may take rental income into account for payment rate calculations. Your NDIS SIL funding itself is not counted as income by Centrelink. We recommend speaking with a financial counsellor or a Centrelink social worker before making any changes.
Individualised Living Options (ILO) is a newer, more flexible NDIS funding type suited to people who need some support but not the intensive 24/7 assistance that SIL provides. If you own your home and need moderate support (e.g. a few hours of help per day), ILO may be a better fit than SIL. Your NDIS planner or a Support Coordinator can help you determine which is right for your level of need.
The full process — from requesting SIL to moving into supported accommodation — typically takes 12 to 24 months. This includes evidence gathering, planning meetings, Roster of Care preparation, finding a suitable vacancy, and transition planning. Read our dedicated guide on how long SIL funding approval takes for more detail.
Yes. MaxAbility Services maintains a range of SIL homes and accommodation options across Sydney and NSW. Current SIL vacancies vary by location and support needs. Contact our team directly to discuss your situation and we can match you with available options that suit your goals and lifestyle.
Final verdict
The short answer remains: owning your home is not a barrier to accessing Supported Independent Living through the NDIS. The NDIS assesses SIL eligibility based entirely on your functional support needs — not your financial situation or property ownership.
As a homeowner, you actually have more options than most. You can:
- Receive SIL support workers in your own home
- Move into SIL accommodation while keeping your property
- Rent your home for additional income while in SIL
- Take your time finding the right provider and arrangement
The key is building a strong evidence base that clearly demonstrates your daily support needs, and working with an experienced SIL provider and Support Coordinator who knows the Sydney and NSW NDIS landscape.
Your home ownership status is simply not relevant to NDIS SIL eligibility. Focus on documenting your daily support needs clearly, engage a good Support Coordinator, and connect with a registered SIL provider early. The process takes time, but the right support arrangement can transform quality of life.