Four things NDIS housing can mean
People often use "NDIS housing" as a catch-all. In practice it refers to four different arrangements:
- SDA — the dwelling itself, purpose-designed for extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. See what SDA is.
- SIL — Supported Independent Living, the day-to-day support delivered inside a home. See what SIL is.
- ILO — Individualised Living Options, a designed living arrangement such as host-family or small-group living.
- Mainstream housing — private rental, community housing or public housing, with any NDIS support wrapped around it.
How to work out which fits
Read your NDIS plan or your Home & Living report — it names the supports you're funded for. If SDA is not funded, focus on ILO, SIL or mainstream options and talk to your support coordinator about a Home & Living request if your circumstances have changed.
What SDA Listings can and cannot do
SDA Listings publishes SDA property vacancies and connects participants to SDA providers. It does not approve funding, determine eligibility or guarantee a home. Those decisions sit with the NDIA and the provider.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the NDIS pay my rent?
- Not directly. SDA funding covers the dwelling's capital costs, paid to the provider. Participants still contribute a reasonable rent (usually a portion of the Disability Support Pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance). Non-SDA participants pay ordinary rent.
- Do I need to be in SDA to receive SIL?
- No. SIL can be delivered in an SDA home, a shared rental, a family home or any other suitable dwelling. SDA and SIL are separate funding streams and separate decisions.
- What is ILO?
- Individualised Living Options (ILO) is an NDIS-funded arrangement that helps a participant design and pay for a chosen living situation — for example, living with a host household or a small group. It's typically used when SDA/SIL doesn't fit.