SIL vs SDA: What’s the Difference?
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SIL vs SDA
The NDIS provides various supports to individuals requiring assistance with daily living or specialised housing. Among the terms which are frequently referred to, two of the most common ones are SIL and SDA. Since these words are quite alike, it is a common thing to be mistaken.
Comparing SIL with SDA can be done in a single sentence: one is the help you get, and the other is the place where you stay.
They are very different terms which represent two totally different things, but essentially, they help each other to provide a better quality of life for the person with a disability as we’ll explain below.
1. What SIL (Supported Independent Living) Provides
SIL covers the support workers who help you live independently at home.
It does not cover the home itself only the day-to-day support inside it.
SIL can include help with:
• Personal care
• Cooking and meal routines
• Cleaning and household tasks
• Medication reminders
• Building daily living skills
• Support with routines
• Supervision or overnight support
The NDIS also explains Supported Independent Living in simple terms, which can help you understand how SIL fits into everyday support needs.
SIL is for people who need regular or ongoing assistance to manage daily life safely.
This support usually happens inside a shared home or sometimes in a person’s own home, depending on the plan.
Think of SIL as the hands-on support that makes independent living possible.
2. What SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) Provides
SDA is completely different from SIL.
SDA refers to the physical home the building itself designed for people with high physical needs or complex mobility challenges.
SDA homes often include:
• Wide doorways and accessible bathrooms
• Ceiling hoists
• Reinforced walls
• Smart home technology
• Emergency systems
• Slip-resistant flooring
• Wheelchair-friendly design
You can also read the NDIS description of Specialist Disability Accommodation to see how SDA homes are designed for people with significant physical support needs.
SDA is funded for people who need a specialised environment to live safely.
It does not include support workers just the housing features.
In simple terms:
SDA = the home
SIL = the support inside the home
Only participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs are approved for SDA funding.
3. Who Qualifies for Each Support?
Understanding SIL vs SDA becomes easier when you look at who each one is designed for.
Who SIL Is For
People who:
• Need daily or 24/7 support
• Need help with personal care or household tasks
• Can live in a regular home with the right support
• Want to build skills for independence
Many participants receive SIL even if they do not qualify for SDA.
Who SDA Is For
People who:
• Have very high physical support needs
• Need home modifications beyond a standard property
• Require assistive technology installed into the home
• Cannot live safely in a regular house
• Need a purpose-built environment
Only a small number of NDIS participants receive SDA funding.
The NDIS provides further information on different housing and living options, which helps clarify how SIL and SDA fit into the wider supports available.
Can Someone Have Both?
Yes.
Some people live in an SDA home and receive SIL support inside that home.
This is because the housing and the support do two different things.
SIL vs SDA
| Category | SIL (Supported Independent Living) | SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Support workers who help with daily living | The physical home or building you live in |
| Main purpose | Help you live independently with support | Provide a safe, accessible home for high physical needs |
| Examples | Personal care, meals, cleaning, routines, overnight support | Wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, hoists, safety features |
| Who it’s for | People who need ongoing support with daily tasks | People with extreme functional impairment or high support needs |
| Funded by NDIS? | Yes ,for support services | Yes ,for housing only (not the support staff) |
| Can you have both? | Yes ,SIL workers can support you in an SDA home | Yes ,SDA home + SIL support inside the home |
4. How SIL and SDA Work Together
SIL and SDA are separate, but they often work side by side.
A simple way to think about it:
• SDA provides the specialised home
• SIL provides the support workers in that home
For example:
The person having various difficulties in movement might be residing in an SDA house specifically planned for the use of wheelchairs, hoists, and safety. The presence of a SIL caregiver in the same house might be there for providing personal care, meals, and daily routines.
When combined, SIL and SDA can offer:
• A safer living environment
• More independence
• Better daily routines
• A stable support team
• A home that suits the person’s needs
This is why many families look at SIL vs SDA together rather than choosing one or the other.
How STARR Care Supports You
STARR Care provides support that is shaped around each person’s daily needs, their comfort level, and the way they prefer to live.
We help people understand their options and choose supports that match their goals.
You can learn more through our About Us, FAQ, and Contact Us pages.
You can also read about our broader services through our page, Registered NDIS Provider in Western Australia.
Conclusion: SIL vs SDA
Knowing the difference between SIL vs SDA helps you figure out the kind of support that is right for you. SIL is the assistance given by support workers in everyday life, whereas SDA is a specially built home for people with high physical needs. There are some people who get both, and some who only have one. The main thing is to choose the one that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and as independent as possible.
If you want assistance with the understanding of your options or the working of each support in reality, the STARR Care team will be glad to help you in a straightforward and handy manner.
Email: info@starrcare.com.au
Address: Unit 3, Brand Street, South Hedland WA 6722
If you’re ready to start a plan Facebook and Instagram supports your daily life, our team is here to help.