Navigating NDIS Reports for Supported and Independent Living (SIL and ILO)

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a support package funded by the NDIS for participants who require regular and ongoing help with daily tasks in a shared or individual living environment. It is most often used by people living in group homes or supported accommodation settings.

SIL funding can cover:

Assistance with personal care
Help with cooking, cleaning, and medication
Social support and supervision throughout the day or night

SIL is suitable for people who require a high level of support to live safely and independently.

What is an Independent Living Option (ILO)?

Independent Living Options (ILO) are flexible, tailored living supports that focus on building capacity to live in the community. Unlike SIL, ILO is about customising support around a person’s own living arrangement — such as living with a housemate, host family, or on their own.

ILO might include:

A support person visiting daily
Assistance from friends, family, or paid supports
Coaching and skill development for independent living

ILO is ideal for participants who want more choice and control in their living arrangement and require lower to moderate levels of formal support.

The Role of Allied Health Professionals in SIL and ILO Reports

Occupational therapists play a key role in completing functional assessments to support SIL and ILO applications. These reports must provide clear evidence of support needs, risks, and daily functioning.

A well-structured report will help the NDIS decide:

Whether SIL or ILO is more appropriate
The level of support required (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, overnight)
What skill-building supports are needed to maintain or increase independence

While speech pathologists are less commonly involved, they may contribute where communication, mealtime safety, or social inclusion is relevant.

What Should a SIL or ILO Report Include?

A comprehensive functional assessment to support SIL or ILO funding typically includes:

Participant background and goals
Diagnosis and disability overview
Assessment of daily living skills, such as:
- Personal care
- Meal preparation
- Medication management
- Money handling
- Decision-making and safety
Assessment tools such as WHODAS, Vineland-3, or OTi-DL
Assessment of informal and formal supports
Risks and supervision needs
Recommendation for support ratios and environment type

For ILO, the report should also consider:

Current living situation
Strengths and preferences for living arrangements
Informal networks and community supports

Case Example: Choosing Between SIL and ILO

Amira is a 26-year-old woman with an intellectual disability who lives with her parents. She wants to move out and become more independent. An OT completes a functional capacity assessment showing that Amira can manage many tasks with support, but needs prompting and supervision for safety.

The OT recommends:

An Independent Living Option (ILO) with a support worker visiting daily
Capacity building therapy to develop skills in cooking, transport, and budgeting
Support to connect with a host family arrangement

The report links directly to Amira’s NDIS goals of “moving out of home” and “building independence.”

How Reports Support Funding Requests

Whether applying for SIL or ILO, reports must demonstrate:

How disability impacts daily life
The intensity and frequency of support required
How the proposed support meets the participant’s goals
That the support is reasonable and necessary

NDIS planners need this information to determine the most appropriate, safe, and cost-effective option for the participant.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right home and living supports is life-changing for NDIS participants. Whether the goal is 24/7 shared supports or living more independently with flexible help, allied health professionals are key to building the evidence needed to access these supports. A clear, goal-focused report can be the bridge to a more independent and supported life.