The short answer
Choose a SIL provider by first checking it's registered with the NDIS Commission. Then ask how it will build your roster of care, which ratios and overnight support it plans, how it keeps your tenancy separate from your support, how it handles vacancies and housemate changes, and what its service agreement says. Our free SIL quote checklist puts these questions on one printable page.
Does a SIL provider have to be registered?
Yes. Since 1 July 2026, SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Providers already delivering SIL before then had until 1 October 2026 to apply, and can keep going while the Commission decides.
To check, search the NDIS Provider Register on the NDIS Commission's website and look for registration status "Approved". Part 3 of the register lists SIL providers that aren't registered yet but meet the transitional arrangements: they were delivering SIL just before 30 June 2026 and applied by 1 October 2026.
They can keep delivering SIL until the Commission decides their application. Ask the provider which applies to them, and for its registration or application number.
What does SIL cover, and what doesn't it?
SIL is funding for support workers to help or supervise you in your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may share support with housemates or have one-to-one support.
It can include personal care, building skills like cooking and cleaning, carrying out a behaviour support plan, social skills, safety and supervision, help with medication and appointments, budgeting, and getting to and from activities.
SIL doesn't pay for groceries, rent or board, utilities, vehicle costs or holiday costs. Ask any provider to show you, in writing, which costs you'll pay from your own income. Read our SIL vs SDA vs ILO guide if you're not sure SIL is the right support.
What should I ask about my support?
- Which support ratios do you plan for each part of the day, and why?
- Will I have a sleepover or active overnight support, and what happens if I need help at night?
- How will you support my behaviour support plan, if I have one?
- How will you help me build skills, not just do things for me?
- How do you cover irregular days, such as when I'm unwell and stay home? (The NDIA generally funds 10 irregular support days a year for standard needs and 15 for high intensity needs.)
- How do you match workers to me, and how do you keep the same workers where possible?
- How do you include me in decisions about my support?
What should I ask about the roster of care?
A roster of care breaks down your weekly support and how it will be delivered. It isn't required, and providers don't have to send it to the NDIA, but the NDIA says you and your provider should agree on it and on how your plan funding will be claimed. Ask:
- Will you draft a roster with me, showing ratios, overnight support, community time and housemates?
- Will you claim weekly or hourly? Providers can only use one method for regular SIL, not both.
- If weekly, what typical schedule of support is that amount for, and is it written into my service agreement?
- How will the roster change if my needs or my housemates change?
Our free roster of care template follows what the NDIA's own roster tool records. Our guide to SIL funding, rosters of care and quotes explains how the NDIA sets SIL funding.
What should I ask about my home and tenancy?
The NDIS Commission's SIL Practice Standards include a standard on agreements about tenancy, housing and support arrangements. If a provider also arranges your housing, it needs a separate tenancy agreement that makes your tenancy rights clear. Ask:
- Is my tenancy separate from my support agreement?
- Can I keep living here if I later choose a different SIL provider?
- If it's an SDA home, who is the SDA provider, and is the home enrolled as SDA?
- What rent contribution and bills will I pay, and how were they worked out? (In SDA, the rent can't be more than the maximum reasonable rent contribution.)
We work with a registered SDA provider with homes in our areas, and living in one of those homes never depends on using us. See SDA homes and SIL vacancies.
What should I ask about vacancies and housemates?
- Who lives in the home now, and how are new housemates chosen?
- Do I get a say before someone new moves in?
- What happens to my costs if a room is empty? (The NDIA doesn't fund vacancies, so a provider shouldn't raise your costs to cover one.)
- What does the service agreement say about an unplanned exit? The NDIA allows limited claims, generally up to 28 days, when someone leaves a shared SIL home unexpectedly, and recommends that service agreements cover it.
What should I ask about staff and safety?
The SIL Practice Standards cover supported decision-making, safeguarding, practice governance and agreements about tenancy and support. Ask how the provider meets each one in practice:
- Do all workers hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check, and what training do they get?
- How do you handle incidents, and how will you tell me or my family?
- How can I make a complaint, and will you tell me about the NDIS Commission (1800 035 544)?
- Who do I contact when something goes wrong after hours?
What should I ask about costs?
SIL has maximum prices in the NDIS pricing schedule, at two levels: standard and high intensity. Most people need standard support. Ask the provider which level it's quoting, to show its prices against the schedule, and how shared support is split between housemates.
You can estimate a typical week with our SIL cost calculator. For the bigger picture, our SIL Cost Index compares typical rosters.
Psych Connect NDIS Support delivers standard supports and is not registered for high intensity daily personal activities.
What if it doesn't work out?
You can change SIL provider. Check your service agreement's notice period, line up the new provider first, and tell your support coordinator. Our guide to changing NDIS providers has the steps.
Ask us the same questions
We're a registered NDIS provider for Supported Independent Living, based in Springfield Central, with a team for each area: our SIL provider in Brisbane, SIL provider in Ipswich and Springfield, SIL provider in Logan and SIL provider on the Gold Coast pages.
Ask us every question on this page and we'll answer in writing. There's no cost to talk and no obligation. Call or text 0403 828 422, or support coordinators can use our referrals page.
Comparing SIL providers?
Print the free checklist, then ask us every question on it.
Common questions
Do SIL providers need to be registered?
Yes. Since 1 July 2026, SIL providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Providers already delivering SIL before then had until 1 October 2026 to apply, and can keep going while the Commission decides.
How do I check a SIL provider is registered?
Search the NDIS Provider Register on the NDIS Commission website for status "Approved", and check Part 3 for providers under the transitional arrangements.
Do I need a roster of care?
No. It's optional and doesn't decide your funding, but the NDIA says you and your provider should agree on it and on how funding will be claimed.
Can a SIL provider charge me for an empty room?
No. The NDIA doesn't fund vacancies, and a provider shouldn't raise your costs to cover one.
Does SIL pay my rent?
No. SIL pays for support. Rent, groceries and bills are paid from your own income.
Sources
- NDIS, What is supported independent living (SIL) (current as of 1 October 2026). www.ndis.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, Guide to providing supported independent living (SIL) (current as of 1 October 2026), with the SIL roster of care tool and its guide. www.ndis.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, How to claim supported independent living (SIL) supports (current as of 1 October 2026). www.ndis.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, How to claim supported independent living (SIL) payments after an unplanned exit (current as of 1 October 2026). www.ndis.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Supplementary module: Supported independent living (SIL) Practice Standards. www.ndiscommission.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Find a registered provider (NDIS Provider Register, including Part 3 for SIL transitional arrangements). www.ndiscommission.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, What is specialist disability accommodation (SDA) (current as of 1 July 2026). www.ndis.gov.au (read 10 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, Supported independent living operational guideline (file dated 29 Sep 2026). www.ndis.gov.au (read 8 Nov 2026)
- NDIS, Pricing arrangements: NDIS pricing schedule 2026-27, effective 24 September 2026. www.ndis.gov.au (SIL prices read from the schedule 8 Nov 2026)