For many families across New South Wales (NSW), the journey toward Supported Independent Living begins with a simple but profound question: Is there a way for my family member to live a fuller, more independent life with the right support around them?
The answer, in most cases, is yes. And Supported Independent Living — funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) — is one of the most powerful ways to make that happen.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living is a category of NDIS funding that pays for the support workers and supervision a person with disability needs to live in their own home or a shared living arrangement. It is not funding for the home itself — that is a separate category called Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) — but rather for the human support that makes independent living possible.
In practical terms, SIL funding covers things like:
- Assistance with personal care — showering, dressing, grooming
- Help with cooking, meal preparation, and shopping
- Medication management and health monitoring
- Support with household tasks and cleaning
- Overnight and active overnight support where needed
- Community access and social participation
- Building skills and capacity for greater independence over time
The goal of SIL is not to do everything for someone — it is to provide the right level of support so that person can do as much as possible for themselves, on their own terms, in a home they choose.
Who is Supported Independent Living for?
SIL is designed for NDIS participants who have significant support needs that cannot be met through informal supports — such as family or carers — alone. While there is no single profile of a SIL participant, it is generally suited to people who:
- Have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to live independently
- Require daily support with personal care, safety, or daily living tasks
- Are ready — or working toward being ready — to live outside the family home
- Have complex psychosocial, intellectual, physical, or neurological support needs
- Are transitioning from hospital, residential care, or another living arrangement
- Have goals around independence, community connection, and quality of life that cannot be met in their current living situation
“Every person with disability deserves more than a service. They deserve a pursuit — a pursuit of independence, of dignity, and of a life lived entirely on their own terms.” — Scott Papas, Chief Pursuer, Pursue Ability
SIL is particularly well-suited for people with psychosocial disability, complex mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, intellectual disability, and physical disability requiring ongoing daily support. At Pursue Ability, we specialise in supporting people with complex psychosocial needs — one of the most underserved groups in the SIL sector.
How is SIL different from other NDIS supports?
It is easy to confuse SIL with other NDIS supports, so here is a clear breakdown of the key differences:
SIL vs. SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation)
SDA is funding for the physical home — the building itself, adapted for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SIL is the funding for the support workers inside that home. Some participants have both SDA and SIL in their plan. Many SIL participants live in standard rental homes without SDA funding.
SIL vs. In-Home Support
In-home support (sometimes called Home and Living support) provides a few hours of assistance per day to someone living in their own home, usually with family. SIL provides more intensive, often around-the-clock support in a dedicated living environment — shared or individual.
SIL vs. Respite
Respite is short-term accommodation and support, giving participants and their carers a temporary break. SIL is a permanent, ongoing living solution — it is where someone calls home.
What does a SIL home actually look like?
SIL homes vary enormously depending on the participant’s needs, preferences, and location. They might be:
- A shared house with 2–5 participants, each with their own bedroom and shared common areas
- A duplex or villa with adjoining support facilities
- An individual apartment with drop-in or overnight support
- A purpose-built specialist disability accommodation property
At Pursue Ability, we own and manage SIL properties across New South Wales (NSW), supporting participants from Sydney to Newcastle, Maitland, the Hunter Valley, and beyond. We work carefully to match participants with compatible housemates and environments that genuinely suit their personality, goals, and support needs — because the right home changes everything.
How Pursue Ability approaches Supported Independent Living
At Pursue Ability, we have been supporting people with disability to live independently across NSW since 2020. We are not a call centre or a faceless national organisation. We are a team of people who genuinely pursue better outcomes for every participant we support.
Our SIL model is built around what we call the Complete Customer Journey — from the moment you first contact us, through every milestone of your support, and into your future. Here is what that means in practice:
- A dedicated Welcome Coordinator guides every new participant and family through their first 90 days
- Trauma-informed practice embedded across all our homes and teams
- Regular 30, 60, and 90-day check-ins — and quarterly reviews after that
- Integrated support across SIL, Allied Health, Day Programs, and Support Coordination — all under one roof
- A 30-day satisfaction guarantee — if you are not happy, we will conduct a full service review, no pressure
We have invested over $6 million in psychosocial disability housing across NSW and Queensland — because we believe that safe, permanent housing is the foundation of everything else.
Frequently asked questions about SIL
Can I choose my own SIL provider?
Yes. Under the NDIS, you have the right to choose and change your provider at any time. You are not locked in. If you are currently with a provider that is not meeting your needs, you can switch — and we can help make that process seamless.
How long does SIL funding last?
SIL is reviewed as part of your regular NDIS plan review, which typically occurs annually. As long as your support needs remain, your SIL funding is generally continued.
Can I have visitors and family stay over in a SIL home?
Absolutely. A SIL home is your home. You have the same rights as any tenant — to have visitors, to personalise your space, and to make decisions about your daily life.
What if my needs change while I am in SIL?
Your support plan is a living document. If your needs increase or decrease, your provider and support coordinator can request a plan review with the NDIS to ensure your funding reflects your current situation.
Is SIL available across NSW?
Yes — we have SIL properties and support teams across NSW, including Sydney, Newcastle, Maitland, and the Hunter Valley. We know this state, and we are growing our footprint to meet the significant unmet demand across the region.
Ready to explore Supported Independent Living?
Whether you are a participant, a family member, or a support coordinator, our team is here to answer your questions — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just a genuine conversation about what is possible.
Call 0272276310 or email enquiries@pursueability.com
Pursue Ability is a registered NDIS provider operating across New South Wales and Queensland. We specialise in Supported Independent Living, psychosocial disability support, Day Programs, Allied Health, and Support Coordination. NDIS Registration ID: 4-F0VAKFY | ABN: 16 639 972 419
