Getting SIL funding into your NDIS plan involves five key steps: setting a home and living goal, engaging a support coordinator, getting a functional capacity assessment, developing a Roster of Care with a SIL provider, and submitting everything to the NDIA for review. The full process typically takes 3 to 12 months.
Step 1 — Set a home and living goal
SIL starts with your NDIS plan. If you are exploring living away from the family home or changing your current living arrangement, your plan needs to include a home and living goal. This signals to the NDIA that you are looking at options like SIL.
If your current plan does not include a home and living goal, you can request a plan reassessment to add one.
Step 2 — Engage a support coordinator
Your support coordinator is your guide through this process. They help you understand whether SIL is right for your situation, connect you with providers, and coordinate the evidence the NDIA needs to make a decision.
If you do not currently have a support coordinator, speak with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) about getting one included in your plan.
Step 3 — Get a functional capacity assessment
An allied health professional (usually an occupational therapist) evaluates your daily support needs. This assessment documents what you can and cannot do independently and why 24/7 support in a shared home is reasonable and necessary for you.
From 2026, the NDIA requires a completed Home and Living Exploratory Tool and a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) before accepting a SIL request.
Step 4 — Develop a Roster of Care with a SIL provider
Once your support needs are assessed, you work with a SIL provider to develop a Roster of Care. This document outlines the staffing structure — how many support hours per day, what times, and what type of support is needed. The Roster of Care is based on your individual needs, not a standard template.
This is where visiting a provider matters. Seeing the home, meeting the team, and understanding how daily life works helps you make an informed decision.
Step 5 — Submit to the NDIA
Your support coordinator submits your Home and Living request to the NDIA, along with the functional capacity assessment, the Roster of Care, and any other supporting evidence. The NDIA reviews the evidence and determines whether SIL funding is reasonable and necessary for your situation.
How long does approval take?
NDIA processing typically takes 6 to 12 weeks once the request is submitted, though it can vary depending on the completeness of your evidence and current workload. The full journey — from first conversation to move-in — is usually 3 to 12 months.
Where to start
If you are exploring SIL for yourself or a family member in Western Sydney or regional Victoria, the ASDA team can help you understand the process and what to expect. Contact us on 1300 100 167 or at admin@australiansda.com.au for a free 20-minute consultation.