Individualised Living Options (ILO) Assessments
An Individualised Living Option is an NDIS package of supports that helps you live the way you choose: in your own place, with a host family, or sharing with housemates. Our occupational therapists provide the functional evidence that helps the NDIA understand your support needs and design an arrangement that actually works.
What is an Individualised Living Option?
An ILO is NDIS funding for the supports that help you live in your chosen home arrangement. It funds the support around you, not the housing itself: ILO funding does not pay rent, food or utilities.
Support built around you
ILO arrangements are designed around how you want to live. Common models include living with a host family, sharing with housemates who provide agreed support, or living alone with a mix of paid and informal supports dropping in.
Not SIL, not SDA
ILO sits between fully independent living and Supported Independent Living (SIL). It suits people who need meaningful daily support but not 24/7 shared-house staffing. If you need very high levels of in-home support, SIL or SDA may be a better fit.
Who ILO generally suits
NDIS guidance indicates ILO is generally for adults (18 and over) who need a substantial amount of support each day, from formal or informal sources. Your NDIS planner makes the final call based on your evidence, which is where a quality OT assessment matters.
The two stages of an ILO
Stage 1: Exploration and Design
The NDIS funds work to explore how you want to live, who you want to live with, and what support you need. This stage produces a service proposal, a detailed picture of your preferred arrangement, which goes back to the NDIA.
Stage 2: Supports
Once the NDIA agrees to the design, Stage 2 funds the supports themselves: the host arrangement or housemate supports, plus flexible supplementary supports that keep the arrangement stable as life changes.
Where OT evidence fits
The NDIA weighs evidence about your daily support needs before funding either stage. An occupational therapy functional assessment describes what support you need across personal care, household tasks, safety, decision making and community access.
Reviews and changes
ILO arrangements are reviewed over time. Updated OT evidence helps show what is working, what has changed and whether the level of support still matches your needs.
What our ILO assessment includes
We assess in your home, at a time that suits you, then deliver a clear report your support coordinator and planner can actually use.
Functional assessment
How you manage personal care, meals, medication, money, household tasks, transport and community activities, including what support you currently receive and from whom.
Support needs across the week
A realistic picture of the type, frequency and intensity of support you need day to day and overnight, including informal supports from family and friends.
Risk and safety
Falls risk, home safety, vulnerability and decision-making considerations, with practical strategies rather than blanket restrictions.
Recommendations
Clear, evidence-linked recommendations about the living arrangement, support model, assistive technology and capacity-building goals, written in language planners recognise.
Often requested alongside an ILO assessment
SIL & SDA Assessments
For participants with higher or round-the-clock support needs, or where specialist housing may apply.
Functional Capacity Assessments
The core NDIS evidence document covering function across all daily living domains.
Assistive Technology Assessments
Equipment and technology that can reduce reliance on paid support within an ILO arrangement.
Guide: SIL vs SDA
Our plain-English article on which NDIS home and living report you actually need.
ILO assessments: your questions answered
Common questions from participants, families and support coordinators about Individualised Living Options.
What is an ILO in the NDIS?
Who is eligible for an ILO?
What are the two ILO stages?
Does ILO funding pay my rent?
What is the difference between ILO and SIL?
How do I get an ILO assessment?
Information about NDIS Individualised Living Options is current as at July 2026. NDIS settings change; always confirm details with the NDIA, your planner or your support coordinator.
Need evidence for an NDIS home and living decision?
We respond to every referral within 24 hours. Mobile occupational therapy across Liverpool, Western Sydney and Greater Sydney.
ILO assessments use the same method, applied to a different question. Read our full assessment methodology, including the evidence standard every recommendation is written to.
The rest of the home and living picture
SIL Assessments Sydney SDA Assessments Sydney All five home and living supports, mapped