What SIL is
SIL is National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for support in the home, often 24 hours a day. SIL pays for the support workers, not the house.
In some homes, support is shared between residents. In others, each person has their own dedicated support, called 1:1 (one worker to one person) or 2:1 (two workers to one person). Different set ups suit different people. What matters is that the support matches the person's needs.
There's no single right answer for every family. Ask every provider the same questions, and compare the answers side by side.
Support and staffing
- Is support shared between residents, or does each person have their own worker?
- How many workers are on shift during the day and overnight?
- Is overnight support awake (active) or a sleepover?
- Will the same small group of workers support the person most of the time?
- Are workers employed by the provider, or sent from an agency?
- What happens when a worker is sick or leaves?
Training and skills
- Are all workers trained in dementia?
- What training do workers complete before their first shift?
- Will workers be trained on the person's own plans before they start?
- Is there a nurse or clinician overseeing health needs?
- How do workers respond when the person is distressed?
The home itself
- Where is the home, and how far is it from family?
- Is the layout simple and easy to find your way around?
- Is there a safe garden or outdoor space the person can use freely?
- Will the person have their own bedroom?
- Can they bring their own furniture, photos and belongings?
- How many people live in the home?
- Who owns the house, and who provides the support? Sometimes they're different organisations.
Health and changing needs
- How do you work with the person's GP and specialists?
- Who manages medicines?
- Can you support health needs such as swallowing difficulties, tube feeding, seizures or catheter care?
- What happens as dementia progresses? Can the person stay in the home as their needs grow?
- What happens if the person goes to hospital?
Changed behaviours and safety
- How do you support changed behaviours?
- Do you work with the person's behaviour support practitioner and follow their behaviour support plan?
- Do you use restrictive practices? If so, are they only used when authorised and part of a behaviour support plan?
- How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house?
- How are incidents recorded and reported, and when will the family be told?
Family and communication
- Can family visit any time?
- How often will we get updates, and how?
- Who is our main contact?
- How are decisions made with the person and their decision maker?
- How do we raise a concern or make a complaint?
Costs and paperwork
- What does SIL cover in this home, and what doesn't it cover?
- What will the person pay each week for rent, food and bills? Ask for it in writing.
- Is the person eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)? SDA is funded separately to SIL and is only for people who are eligible.
- Is the provider a registered NDIS provider?
- Can we see the service agreement before we commit?
- How long will it take to move in?
Visit more than once. Visit at different times of day if you can, including a mealtime. Notice how workers speak to the people who live there, and whether the house feels like a home.
Before you decide
Trust what you see and feel. The right home feels calm and lived in, and the team can answer your questions clearly. If a provider can't answer a question, ask them to come back to you in writing.
If the person is in hospital, or the right home isn't ready yet, medium term accommodation can give everyone time to choose well.
A short respite stay can also be a gentle way to see how the person settles somewhere new.
This guide is general information, current at the date shown above. It isn't legal, financial or medical advice. For decisions about an NDIS plan, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110.