SIL vs SDA: what's the difference?
SIL is the support; SDA is the housing. They often go together, but they are funded and chosen separately. Here is how they differ.
Quick answer: SIL is the support a person receives in their home. SDA is the housing itself, built or modified for high needs. They often go together but are assessed and funded separately in an NDIS plan.
SIL and SDA sound similar and are constantly mixed up. Getting the difference clear early will save you a lot of confusion later.
What is SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the day-to-day support a person receives in their home, like help with cooking, personal care, medication and building independence. It is funded through the person’s NDIS plan. Our guide What is SIL? covers it in detail.
What is SDA?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is housing that has been designed or built for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. It includes accessible features, such as reinforced walls, wider doorways or assistive technology, that help people live more safely and independently. SDA funding pays toward the home itself, not the support inside it.
How they work together
The two often go hand in hand, but not always:
- A person can receive SIL support in ordinary housing (a regular rental or the family home).
- A person with SDA funding lives in an SDA home and usually also receives SIL support there.
- The two are assessed and funded separately in an NDIS plan.
A simple way to remember it
Think of it like this: SDA is the stage, SIL is the cast. One is the building; the other is the people who make daily life work.
Which one do I need?
Not everyone who needs SIL is eligible for SDA. SDA is for a smaller group with very high needs and is assessed against strict criteria. Most people exploring home and living options will be looking at SIL, sometimes in ordinary housing.
The right starting point is understanding what is in your NDIS plan, which is exactly where support coordination helps.
Key takeaways
- SIL = support. SDA = housing.
- They are funded separately, and you can have one without the other.
- SDA is only for a smaller group with very high needs.
- Understanding your plan is the first step to working out what you need.
Common questions
Can I get SIL without SDA? Yes. Many people receive SIL in standard rental or family housing.
Does SDA include support workers? No. SDA is the housing; the support is funded separately, usually as SIL.
Who decides if I qualify for SDA? It is assessed by the NDIS against specific eligibility criteria.
Talk it through
If this still feels confusing, you are not alone. Tell us about the person and what they need, and we will help you make sense of the options. Make an enquiry or see the areas we serve.