SIL or SDA? The Difference That Decides What Your Funding Pays For
SIL pays for the support, SDA pays for the building. Why they are funded separately, who gets each, and what it means for your housing options.
Supported independent living in Brisbane
Supported independent living, or SIL, is help with daily life in the place you live, usually shared with a small number of housemates. It is support, not a building: the people who help you cook, keep the house running, manage your routines and are there overnight when that is needed.
A good SIL home feels like a home, not a service. That comes down to who lives together, how the support is arranged, and whether each person still gets to make their own choices.
What we help with
- Help with personal care and daily routines
- Cooking, cleaning and running a shared household
- Help to keep to daily routines and reminders agreed in your support plan
- Active overnight or sleepover support, where funded
- Help to keep up with appointments, work, study and community life
- Support to get on well with housemates and resolve problems early
SIL is not SDA
SIL pays for the support. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) pays for a purpose-built dwelling, and only a small group of participants receive it. Most people with SIL funding live in ordinary homes. Our article on the difference explains it in plain terms.
Current vacancies
We publish our current SIL vacancies with the date they were last checked, so support coordinators and families know what is genuinely available.
Common questions
What does SIL funding cover?
SIL covers the support a person needs with daily life in their home, including overnight support where it is funded. It does not cover rent, food or household bills.
Do I need SDA to get SIL?
No. SIL can be delivered in an ordinary rental or family home. SDA is a separate payment for a specialised dwelling.
Can I choose who I live with?
You should always have a say. We introduce potential housemates before anyone moves in, and compatibility is part of every decision.
Related reading
Ask us about supported independent living (sil)
Tell us a little about what is needed and we will call you back. There is no obligation, and you will meet your worker before anything starts.
Prefer to talk now? Call 0486 283 996.