SIL housing in Brisbane: Eligibility, Funding and What’s Included

What is SIL housing (and how it works in Brisbane)

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the NDIS funding that pays for the support you need to live more independently think personal care, daily routines, skill-building and safety usually in a shared home with up to three residents. In Brisbane, SIL often combines 24/7 support with a rostered team who know your goals and routines.

From our side: after 1.5+ years supporting participants and carers in Brisbane, I’ve found that clarity around eligibility and “what’s actually funded” makes the whole journey smoother from day one.

Daily living supports you can expect (24/7, rosters, community access)

• Personal care (showering, dressing, continence support)

• Medication prompts and monitoring

• Meal planning, cooking and nutrition supports

• Household management and safety

• Travel training and community access (social and health appointments)

• Overnight support (active or sleepover, depending on your needs)

When we trialled structured community outings, we saw confidence and social connection grow quickly especially when they link back to plan goals.

Who is eligible for SIL under the NDIS

You’re generally eligible if you require regular, ongoing assistance to live safely and work towards independence at home, and that support is reasonable and necessary under the NDIS.

Evidence and assessments (OT reports, goals, functional needs)

To support a SIL request, coordinators typically compile:

• Functional assessment (often from an OT) showing daily-living needs and risks

• Goals in your NDIS plan connected to independent living

• Trial data (e.g., STA/transition notes) and incident/safety records where relevant

• Support Coordinator summary and provider quotes/Roster of Care (ROC)

From experience: the strongest applications link each support to a real-world outcome “this many prompted meals per day → stable weight and med schedule”.

SIL funding explained (NDIS Core – Assistance with Daily Life)

SIL is budgeted under Core: Assistance with Daily Life and is based on your support pattern hours, sleepover vs active nights, and complexity rather than paying for the house itself.

Quotes, Roster of Care and approvals

Providers submit a quote with your Roster of Care (who, what, when, for how long). The NDIS reviews it against your evidence, risks and goals.
In our Brisbane caseload, consistency of staff and a clear ROC usually reduces anxiety and helps approvals move faster.

Example scenarios: shared homes vs individual arrangements

• Shared home (up to 3 residents): cost-efficient rosters, peer support, social opportunities.

• 1:1 arrangements: appropriate for high or complex needs—often includes active overnights and behaviour/mental health supports.

• Transition via STA/MTA: short-term stays can test routines before a long-term move.

What’s included vs not included in SIL

Common confusion we see: people expect SIL to cover rent or groceries it doesn’t. SIL funds the supports, not the bricks-and-mortar.

SIL vs SDA: what’s the difference?

• SIL funds the supports (people and hours).

• SDA funds the dwelling (the special-design home) for eligible participants.
  If you’re comparing both, this deep-dive helps: difference between SIL and SDA.

Finding the right home in Brisbane

Start by mapping your goals, preferred areas and any behaviour/health considerations. Then shortlist homes that match roster type, accessibility and housemate compatibility.

Current availability and matching

Browse our local options here: available SIL houses in Brisbane. Shortlists work best when you share a goals snapshot and any sensory/routine must-haves.

Meet-and-greet, tenancy and move-in steps

1. Meet the house team and potential housemates

2. Align routines, meals, transport and overnight supports

3. Confirm tenancy, complete risk & support plans

4. Submit/update ROC and quotes → move-in plan
   When we align rosters early, transitions feel calmer and skills ramp up faster in the first 90 days.

How Yirra Care supports your independence in Brisbane

We combine in-home support, community access and practical add-ons so your time focuses on goals (not chores). Recently we expanded to Tasmania (Dec 2025) with NDIS cleaning and gardening, and we apply the same “dignity-first” approach in Brisbane.

In my day-to-day: adding funded cleaning/gardening can free support hours for cooking practice, medication routines and getting back into the community.

Explore our core service here: SIL housing in Brisbane.

FAQs

How long does SIL approval take?
It varies with evidence completeness and complexity. Strong OT reports + a clear ROC typically speed things up.

Do I need SDA for SIL?
No. Many participants receive SIL in standard rentals. SDA applies only if you meet strict dwelling eligibility.

Can I combine SIL with cleaning/gardening?
Yes—if it’s in your plan, these supports can complement SIL so you use your roster time for skill-building.

What about mental health support?
SIL can include prompts and routines around medication and appointments; clinical therapy is funded elsewhere if approved.

How many people can share a SIL home?
Usually up to three, depending on needs, property and compatibility.

Next steps

• Gather your evidence pack (OT functional report, goals, trial notes, ROC).

• Shortlist compatible homes and book a meet-and-greet.

• Align roster, tenancy and move-in plan.

Ready to start?

Referral →