If a support coordinator or planner has mentioned a “SIL assessment”, it can sound more complicated than it is. In plain English, a SIL assessment is an occupational therapy assessment that works out how much daily support a person needs to live as independently as possible. This guide explains what it is, who does it, and how the process works.
A quick note on funding: a SIL assessment helps inform decisions, but it does not guarantee funding. Supported Independent Living funding depends on your needs and a “reasonable and necessary” decision by the NDIS. Your support coordinator or planner is the best person to guide your individual situation.
What is a SIL assessment?
SIL stands for Supported Independent Living. A SIL assessment is a structured functional assessment, usually led by an occupational therapist, that determines the level and type of support a person needs to live in a shared or independent living arrangement.
Where a person has behaviours of concern, the assessment is often completed alongside a behaviour support practitioner. The goal is a clear, evidence-based picture of daily support needs.
What the assessment looks at
An occupational therapist gathers information through observation, conversations with the person and their carers, and clinical judgement. They typically consider:
- Functional capacity across daily tasks such as personal care, cooking, cleaning and medication.
- Physical access and the home environment.
- Equipment and assistive technology that may reduce the support needed.
- Support ratios, for example 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 (how many participants share a support worker).
The SIL assessment report
The occupational therapist prepares a formal SIL assessment report. It usually sets out the recommended support ratio, any assistive technology or home modifications needed, and the reasoning behind the recommendations. A clear, well-evidenced report is central to a fair funding decision.
What is a roster of care?
A roster of care (ROC) is a document that maps out the support a person will receive hour by hour, day by day: when support is provided, by how many workers, and in what format. The NDIA uses the roster of care to help decide whether SIL funding is reasonable and necessary, and how much to include in a plan. A roster of care is usually developed with your chosen SIL provider.
How to get a SIL assessment and SIL funding
The typical steps are:
- Set a home and living goal in your NDIS plan.
- Work with a support coordinator (often Level 2 or Level 3) to explore your options.
- Gather evidence, including occupational therapy and other allied health reports.
- Complete a Home and Living Supports Request with your support coordinator.
- The NDIA’s Home and Living team reviews the request and may ask for more information.
- If approved, a roster of care is developed with your SIL provider and submitted for quoting.
The full process can take several months, so starting early and getting strong evidence matters. To understand how the different levels of support coordination help here, see our guide to NDIS support coordination levels and costs.
SIL and SDA are not the same
SIL is about the support a person receives; Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is about the housing itself. Many people explore both. For the difference and which report the NDIS needs, see SIL vs SDA: what OT report does the NDIS need? and our guide to SDA assessments.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SIL assessment?
A SIL assessment is an occupational therapy assessment that determines the level and type of daily support a person needs to live in a supported independent living arrangement.
Who completes a SIL assessment?
It is usually led by an occupational therapist experienced in disability and NDIS housing, sometimes alongside a behaviour support practitioner where there are behaviours of concern.
What is a roster of care?
A roster of care maps out the support a person receives hour by hour and day by day. The NDIA uses it to help decide whether SIL funding is reasonable and necessary.
How long does the SIL process take?
It varies, but the full process from goal-setting to funding can take several months. Strong evidence and an experienced support coordinator help.
Sources
- NDIS, Guide to providing supported independent living and SIL roster of care submissions, ndis.gov.au.
- Provider guidance on occupational therapy SIL assessments, accessed 18 July 2026.
SIL assessments follow the same method, applied to a different question. Read our full assessment methodology, including the evidence standard every recommendation is written to.
Get the assessment behind a SIL request
SIL Assessments Sydney (service) NDIS Home & Living Assessments (hub)