Welcome Home with SIL

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

SIL is a government-funded support for individuals with disabilities who need help to live independently. It provides support for daily tasks such as personal care, household chores, and even overnight assistance. The goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where people can thrive and maintain as much independence as possible. The amount of SIL funding a person receives depends on their support needs.

Different SIL Models

The common setup in SIL is shared living, where clients live with housemates and receive assistance from support workers. Typical arrangements include:

• 1:2 SIL – One support worker for every two residents.
• 1:3 SIL – One support worker for every three residents.
• 1:4 SIL – One support worker for every four residents.

For more specialised needs, clients may receive funding for individual support, meaning one support worker for each client.

Some shifts might need two disability support workers per client due to higher risk or more specialised needs.

Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA)

Support throughout the night can be provided through Onsite Overnight Assistance which can be either:

• Active: With an awake support worker for ongoing support.
• Inactive: Where the support worker sleeps but is available for emergencies.
• Separate bedrooms for support workers ensure readiness and maintain privacy and comfort for residents.

Housing

Most people with SIL funding live in typical houses in the community which can include apartments, villas, or houses. Nextt works with real estate agents and other networks to help you find and arrange the right SIL housing.

For individuals with higher support needs that are unable to access standard housing, they may be granted Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding. SDA is specialised housing designed to make life easier and may include ceiling hoists, assistive technology, strong walls, emergency power and adjustable kitchen counters. Nextt partners with some of Australia’s leading SDA providers to offer support in specialist accommodation to residents.

Your Path to Independence

Choosing the right SIL arrangement is about understanding your needs and preferences. Nextt has been providing SIL supports across four Australian states for many years. See more here