SIL or SDA? Cutting Through the Acronyms to Find the Right Home

What do SIL and SDA actually mean?

Navigating the NDIS can feel like learning a new language. Among the most important, and often confusing, acronyms are SIL and SDA.

Both relate to how people with disability are supported to live independently, but they refer to different parts of that support system. Understanding how they work, and how they work together, can make all the difference in finding the right home and care model for you or your loved one.

At Claro, our goal is simple: to bring clarity to complexity, helping you make informed choices about your independence journey.

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) refers to the supports you receive in your home, and not the home itself.

It’s NDIS funding for daily assistance that helps you live as independently as possible.

SIL covers tasks such as:

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, or eating)
• Help with cooking and cleaning
• Support to attend appointments or community activities
• 24/7 assistance, including overnight support if needed

SIL is designed for people who need regular support to live safely and confidently in their own homes. You can receive SIL in a shared home, an individual apartment, or even a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property.

In short: SIL = the support that makes living independently possible.

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) refers to the home itself — a purpose-built or modified property designed for people with very high physical support needs.

SDA properties must meet specific NDIS design standards across categories such as Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, or High Physical Support.

These homes feature:

• Wide hallways and doorways for wheelchair access
• Reinforced ceilings for hoists and mobility equipment
• Emergency power backup
• Accessible bathrooms and kitchens
• Smart home or assistive technology integration

SDA is not related to daily supports, but rather it’s about ensuring the environment allows those supports to be delivered safely and comfortably.

So in summary: SDA = the home you live in; SIL = the support you receive inside that home.

How do SIL and SDA work together?

Think of SDA as the foundation and SIL as the framework.

Many people receive both — living in a purpose-built SDA property where their daily living supports are delivered through SIL funding.

For example:

A young adult with a spinal cord injury may live in an SDA apartment designed for high physical support, with Claro’s SIL team providing 24/7 assistance for transfers, personal care, and daily routines.

Together, the two funding streams create a safe, coordinated living arrangement that supports long-term independence.

Who is eligible for SIL or SDA funding under the NDIS?

Eligibility depends on your functional needs, not just your diagnosis.

• SIL eligibility usually applies if you require assistance with daily tasks several times a day, or need overnight support.
• SDA eligibility is for individuals with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, such as those who require structural home modifications or specialised equipment.

Your NDIS planner or support coordinator can help determine which category applies, often supported by allied health assessments.

At Claro, our team also assists families and participants to gather evidence and prepare documentation that reflects the full picture of your support needs.

How do you choose the right living arrangement?

Choosing between SIL, SDA, or both is about personal goals and not just funding categories.

Here’s how we help people make confident choices:

1. Start with your goals. What does “living independently” look like for you?
2. Assess your support needs. How much assistance do you need daily and overnight?
3. Consider the environment. Do you need home modifications, assistive tech, or accessibility features?
4. Think long-term. Will your needs change over time due to a progressive or degenerative condition?
5. Co-design your plan. Work with Claro, your NDIS coordinator, and your family to create a plan that fits both your funding and your lifestyle vision.

Our role is to simplify that process by bringing the people, systems, and homes together so everything “just works.”

What does living with Claro look like?

At Claro, we combine SDA-accredited homes with SIL supports delivered by 100% complex-trained staff.
That means every environment and every support plan is designed to enable independence safely, comfortably, and with dignity.

You’ll find:

• Modern, purpose-built SDA homes designed for accessibility, technology integration, and comfort.
• Nurse-led transitions ensuring your care needs are clinically overseen.
• Consistent, well-trained support teams who know your preferences and routines.
• Choice and control at every stage — from selecting your home to shaping your daily routines.

We call this Confidence in Complexity — turning detailed NDIS housing decisions into clear, practical outcomes that empower your independence.