SDA, SIL, ILO and STR: What's the Difference?
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Insight Description
SDA, SIL, ILO and STR get thrown around interchangeably, but they answer two completely different questions: where you live, and who helps you live there. Mixing them up is the most common source of confusion when families start exploring NDIS housing options — so here's each one, side by side.
The building and the support are separate questions
The NDIS deliberately separates your housing - where you live - from the people and services that help you live there. SIL funds the support. ILO funds a flexible mix of supports designed around you. STR provides short-term accommodation and support for a temporary break or change of environment.
Understanding that split makes the rest of this far easier to follow.
At a glance
| SIL | SDA | ILO | STR | |
| What it funds | Support workers in a shared home | The building itself | A flexible, individualised living arrangement | Short-term accommodation and support |
| Best suited to | People needing regular or 24/7 support in a shared setting | People whose disability means standard housing can't safely work, even modified | People who want more say in how, where and with whom they live | Participants wanting a short break, change of environment or temporary support |
| Can it stack with others? | Can be used alongside SDA | Can be used alongside SIL | Doesn't stack with SIL | Can be used alongside other supports where appropriate |
| Evidence needed | Assessed support needs | Evidence of SDA eligibility and housing needs | An individualised living arrangement and support plan | Evidence that the support meets the participant's disability-related needs |
SIL — Supported Independent Living
SIL funds the support workers who help with daily living tasks in a shared living environment — supervision, personal care and everyday support for people who need regular assistance.
It is not the house, the rent or your groceries; it's the paid support that helps you live there.
SDA — Specialist Disability Accommodation
SDA funds specialist housing for participants who meet the NDIS eligibility requirements because their disability significantly affects their ability to access or live in standard housing.
SDA and SIL can be used together for participants who need both specialist housing and ongoing daily support — they answer different questions, so having both is possible.
ILO — Individualised Living Options
ILO provides a flexible alternative for participants who want more choice in how, where and with whom they live.
Rather than a structured shared home with rostered support, an ILO is designed around the individual. It might involve living with a host, sharing with a housemate or combining paid and informal supports.
ILO is different from SIL because the focus is on creating an individualised living arrangement rather than funding a shared supported living model.
STR — Short Term Respite
Short Term Accommodation (STA) — often referred to as respite or STR — provides temporary accommodation and support for participants.
It can give participants a change of environment, an opportunity to try new activities and build independence, or give their usual informal supports a break.
Unlike SDA, SIL or ILO, STR isn't designed to establish a person's long-term living arrangement. It's about short-term support and accommodation.
Which one is right for you?
That depends on your support needs, how you want to live and whether you're looking for a long-term living arrangement or something temporary.
A Support Coordinator or occupational therapist can help you understand which options may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Once you know what you're looking for, MySolas Accommodation can help you explore accommodation and support options in your area, including SDA, SIL, ILO and short-term accommodation.
Browse MySolas accommodation listings to start exploring your options.
