Scratching your head over NDIS home and living supports? As registered NDIS providers, we’re here to help you find the most suitable housing for your needs.
The NDIS has reshaped housing opportunities for people living with disabilities, bringing a new level of choice, support, and freedom to lead life on their own terms – including where they live and with whom.
If you’re excited about finding a place of your own and gaining more independence, the NDIS offers several housing options worth exploring. The best fit for you depends on factors like the level of assistance you need, how your family and friends can help each day, and what you aim to achieve with your plan.
While every person’s support needs are unique, most NDIS services related to living arrangements fall under one main category—home and living supports.
Below, we explain the different NDIS home and living supports available to help participants foster independence every day. Keep reading to discover which options may be included in your plan.
NDIS home and living supports explained
If you’re seeking some extra help to live comfortably at home, the NDIS offers funding for a range of services aimed at supporting independence and helping you stay connected to your community.
These supports—together known as NDIS home and living supports—provide flexible, personalised assistance to make everyday life easier.
Explore the different options below to find out what may suit you best:
1. Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Need around-the-clock support? Supported Independent Living (SIL) offers funding for 24/7 support with everyday tasks like personal care, getting around the community, and household activities such as cooking and cleaning. SIL also opens doors to programs and activities that help you work toward your personal and career goals.
The level of SIL funding varies based on the type of support you need and how many people you’ll be living with. Here’s how SIL can support you:
- Lower need – Offers supervision of your living arrangements without 24/7 support.
- Standard need – Delivers 24/7 support with active help and supervision for most daily activities, plus overnight assistance if needed.
- Complex need – Provides highly frequent, intensive support for complex medical needs or challenging behaviours, with continuous help day and night.
While SIL can support you in your own home, many participants move into a group home, where a provider organises assistance in a shared living environment.
Group homes, usually with two to five residents, provide a strong sense of community, with housemates often of a similar age and sharing common interests. It’s a way to stay connected, find friendship, and receive ongoing support, all within a warm, social setting.
2. Specialist Disability Accommodation
For those with very high and complex support needs requiring significant home modifications, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) may be the right move.
SDA is bricks-and-mortar housing designed with accessibility in mind, built from the ground up to suit your unique needs and preferences. Think of it as a home crafted around your lifestyle, with special features like lowered counters, wider doorways, raised switches, and custom bathrooms.
While SDA funding covers the cost of constructing or adapting the home, it doesn’t include day-to-day living expenses. A ‘reasonable rent contribution’ is required, which you can pay yourself or with assistance from programs like the disability support pension.
Support services in SDA are also funded separately by the NDIS. Many people living in SDA homes receive Supported Independent Living (SIL) services, though those with strong personal support networks can choose flexible, drop-in assistance instead.
Bear in mind that this accommodation is reserved for those who need it most. Currently, only 6% of NDIS participants—about 28,000 people—are estimated to qualify for SDA, with eligibility determined by the NDIA.
3. Individualised Living Options
Individualised Living Options (ILO) is designed for those with low to medium support needs, where a bit of assistance at home can go a long way.
Unlike other NDIS housing supports focused on accommodation, ILO centres around exploring, planning, and arranging the ideal living setup. It’s all about helping you live independently by tailoring a support package that fits your preferred living situation.
ILO unfolds in two phases: first, discovering various ways to live independently, and then structuring the supports needed to achieve your goals. After working closely with you to identify the most suitable living options, ILO provides funding for a support worker to assist with essential daily tasks in your home.
Generally, ILO supports up to seven hours a day, with the level of assistance adjusted based on your unique needs, including any help from family, friends, or your informal support network.
Keep in mind that ILO funding does not cover housing costs or home modifications.
4. Short-Term Accommodation
Short-term accommodation (STA), also known as respite care, provides funding for support and housing outside your usual home for a brief period. It can be helpful for taking a short break or testing out a new living arrangement.
This support covers up to 14 days at a time, with a maximum of 28 days per year, and includes all essential services—personal care, accommodation, meals, and activities with the provider.
Unless specified otherwise, funding generally covers shared accommodation, so you may stay with others or have a place to yourself, depending on your needs.
5. Medium-Term Accommodation
Sometimes, you need to wait for the right housing. This might happen, for example, if you’ve secured a spot in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) home, but it won’t be available for a few months.
In these cases, the NDIS may fund Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) to provide a place to live while you wait for your permanent housing to open up.
To qualify for MTA, you’ll need to confirm that you have been approved for accommodation under the NDIS and demonstrate why staying in your current place isn’t an option in the interim.
Typically, MTA funding covers up to 90 days, but with supporting evidence, the NDIS may extend this if needed.
It’s also worth noting that MTA is not for emergency or short-term stays—other mainstream services may be better suited for general housing needs.
6. Home modifications
Imagine staying in the home you love, with all the accessibility adjustments you need to move freely and live independently. That’s where NDIS-funded home modifications come in. These changes to your home’s layout, structure, or fittings are designed to make daily life easier and safer, allowing you to thrive right where you are.
From small tweaks like lowering light switches to larger remodels that open up spaces, home modifications can be tailored to meet your unique needs. Common adjustments include adding grab rails, building ramps, levelling floors, and widening doorways.
A home modification assessor, typically a skilled occupational therapist, will work closely with you to assess your needs, creating a plan that aligns with your goals and anticipates future requirements. They’ll guide the process from start to finish, ensuring the modifications make a real difference in your life.
To get these changes funded, you’ll need to demonstrate that your current setup no longer suits your safety and independence needs. A report from an occupational therapist will show that these modifications are the right path to enhance your quality of life, keeping you comfortable and capable in your own space.
Which NDIS home and living support is right for me?
The eligibility criteria for NDIS home and living options can be confusing. That’s why it’s always a good idea to speak with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or support coordinator for personalised guidance.
These professionals can walk you through your options and answer any questions you may have. After all, the most suitable option depends on a variety of factors, like your care needs, desired location, informal support network, and general living goals.
Applying for NDIS home and living supports
Applying for NDIS home and living supports starts with filling out the Home and Living Request Form. This is your chance to share your personal goals and dreams with the NDIA, so they can tailor the right support options to suit your journey.
A key part of your application is showing why NDIS home and living supports are essential for you. Be sure to include documents like recent assessments or recommendations from health professionals that detail your needs.
If it’s your first time applying for these supports, make sure your evidence highlights:
- Your daily support needs: When and how often you need assistance to live independently.
- Your functional abilities: Explain how your disability affects your daily life and housing needs.
- Previous options you’ve explored: Describe any other housing or support options you’ve looked into and why they don’t fully meet your needs.
Once you’ve completed everything, you can submit your application via:
- Email: Send your form to [email protected]
- Mail: Post it to NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
- In-person: Drop it off at your nearest NDIS office or with a partner organisation.
By taking these steps, you’re helping the NDIA get the full picture of your unique needs, so they can work with you to build the life you envision.
Discover NDIS home and living supports in the Hunter
The right home, in the right location, and with the right setup, can significantly improve quality of life. That’s why the NDIS offers a range of options to help foster independent living, strengthen community connections, and provide easy access to informal support networks.
From Specialist Disability Accommodation to home modifications, NDIS home and living supports are designed to address the unique and varied needs of residents with a disability.
Ready to take the next step in your NDIS journey?
Hunter Care Group empowers NDIS participants at home and in their communities. As a leading NDIS provider, we deliver support coordination, Supported Independent Living and psychosocial recovery coaching services across Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.
To learn more about our award-winning NDIS support services, please get in touch at (02) 4950 2269 or enquire online. We are always here to help.