SDA and SIL Explained: A Simple Guide for NDIS Participants
February 4, 2026
Key Points:
NDIS SIL-supported independent living focuses on daily assistance from support workers to help people build skills and live as independently as possible.
NDIS SDA-Specialist disability accommodation funding pays for accessible housing designed for people with high or complex support needs.
NDIS SIL and NDIS SDA serve different purposes and can be accessed separately or together, depending on a person’s needs.
Choosing the right support starts with understanding whether your main barrier is daily support and/or the physical home environment.
Summary:
Understanding the difference between (SDA) Specialist Disability Accommodation and (SIL) Supported Independent Living can help participants and families make informed choices about housing and daily support. This guide explains how NDIS SDA funding covers specialist disability accommodation, while NDIS SIL funding supports daily living through supported independent living services provided by an NDIS SIL provider. It also shows how SDA and SIL can work together to support independence, safety, and quality of life with guidance from Kirinari.
Understanding the difference between these two supports can open up new possibilities for how you live your life.
Both SIL and SDA can help you build the independent life you want, and at Kirinari, we’re here to help you navigate these options and find the right fit for you.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living, also known as NDIS SIL s NDIS funding that pays for daily support from trained support workers. It supports people living with disability who want to live as independently as possible but need help with everyday tasks, such as:
Personal care (like showering and getting dressed)
Cooking, cleaning, and shopping
Medication support and daily routines
SIL usually takes place in a shared home and focuses on building skills, confidence, and independence with support from an experienced NDIS SIL provider.
What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
Specialist Disability Accommodation, or NDIS SDA, refers to the home a person lives in. It’s designed for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.
SDA funding pays for the building itself, not support workers. These homes may include:
Accessible layouts and safety features
Space for equipment or Assistive Technology
Designs that support mobility, sensory, or safety needs
A person can live alone or with others in NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation housing, depending on what works best for them, with the goal of long-term comfort and independence
What’s the Difference Between SIL and SDA?
While SIL and SDA often work together, they fund very different things. Here is the simplest way to understand the difference:
SDA pays for the home itself
SIL pays for the people who provide daily support
As mentioned earlier, SIL focuses on support with everyday activities, like preparing meals, maintaining personal hygiene, and attending appointments or activities. On the other hand, SDA support comes in the form of a physical environment, such as an accessible home that’s designed for high support needs.
How to Know Which Support You Need
Choosing SDA and SIL starts with thinking about your daily life and what helps you feel more independent. A helpful place to start is asking yourself, “Is my biggest challenge the house I live in, or the support I receive from people?”
You may benefit from SIL if you feel safe in your current home but need regular help with daily tasks; You may benefit from SDA if the design of your home limits your safety, mobility, or comfort. Or you may need both SIL and SDA to live safely and independently in an environment that supports your needs.
Thinking about what might support your independence is the first step. From there, your support network, Support Coordinator, and providers can help you identify your care needs and guide your next steps.
Find the Right Support with Kirinari
At Kirinari, we understand that no two people are the same. Our supported independent living services are built around your goals, your routines, and the life you want to live. As a trusted NDIS SIL provider, our teams support you in welcoming homes that are well-located and connected to the community.
We also offer high-quality Specialist Disability Accommodation designed for people with complex and high support needs. Our SDA homes are thoughtfully built to support physical, sensory, psychosocial, and cognitive needs, with features that are often difficult or costly to access elsewhere.
If you are exploring NDIS SIL accommodation, looking for an experienced SDA provider, or simply want to understand your options, our team is here to help.
Reach out to Kirinari today to talk through your needs and take the next step toward living well with the right support in place.
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