Side-by-side comparison
| SDA | SIL | |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | The dwelling — building, accessibility features, capital costs. | The daily support workers who help you live in your home. |
| Who it's for | Extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, as assessed by the NDIA. | Participants needing ongoing daily support to live independently. |
| Paid to | The SDA provider (dwelling owner or manager). | The SIL provider (support organisation). |
| Where it applies | Only in NDIS-enrolled SDA dwellings. | In any suitable dwelling — SDA, rental, community housing, family home. |
| Choice of provider | Yes — subject to available vacancies in enrolled dwellings. | Usually yes; in shared homes, changes require household alignment. |
What to do next
- If SDA is in your plan — focus on finding a dwelling that matches your funded design category.
- If only SIL is in your plan — look at mainstream, community or ILO housing that fits your budget, then arrange SIL there.
- If neither is in your plan — talk to your support coordinator or planner about a Home & Living request.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get SIL without SDA?
- Yes. SIL can be delivered in a mainstream rental, community housing, a family home or any other suitable dwelling. Many SIL participants are not in SDA homes.
- Can I get SDA without SIL?
- Yes. Some SDA participants don't need daily support workers, or use only limited support hours. SDA funding is about the dwelling, not the support hours.
- If I live in an SDA home with housemates, do we all have to use the same SIL provider?
- In practice, almost always yes — one SIL provider covers the household. You still keep choice, but changing SIL provider usually requires the household and the SDA provider to be aligned.
- Who decides my SIL and SDA funding?
- Both are NDIS decisions made by the NDIA, informed by assessments and reports (typically including a Home & Living request). A housing platform can't approve either.