Understanding Recent Changes to SIL Funding
There has been a significant change to the way that SIL funding is delivered. Here is what it means for your loved one.
For many families, Supported Independent Living (SIL) plays a vital role in elevating their loved one’s independence, skill set and confidence.
So, news of changes to SIL funding might feel unsettling.
In short, the NDIS has notably altered the frequency in which this funding is paid.
While no cause for alarm, it is a shift that participants and their families need to be across.
In this article, we explore the changes and their impacts.
What Is SIL and How Does It Work?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an NDIS funding category that supports people with disability to live in their home as independently as possible.
SIL funding is most often allocated in shared living arrangements, with trained support workers available around the clock.
It exists to cover the cost of the support staff in the home, to help with daily tasks such as personal care, cooking and cleaning.
The amount of SIL funding a participant receives is tailored to their individual needs.
Learn more in this ultimate guide to SIL.
What Has Changed?
From 19 May 2025, major changes were made to NDIS funding periods.
Participants no longer receive a year’s worth of funding at once. Now, it is released in smaller monthly instalments, known as ‘funding periods’.
Funding for most supports will be provided quarterly. In the case of SIL funding, it is being released monthly to better match the way services are delivered.
One-off items such as home modifications or assistive technology may still be funded upfront.
It is important to note that these funding changes will be rolled out gradually.
Existing participants will not be affected until they receive a new or reassessed plan.
Fast Facts About SIL Funding Changes:
- Start date: 19 May 2025
- Applies to: New and reassessed plans
- Frequency: Monthly payments
- Total funding: Only the timing changes
- Rollover: Unused funds carry into the next funding period within the same plan
Why Is This Happening?
The NDIS has declared that these changes are designed to make life easier for participants and their families. According to the NDIS, the introduction of funding periods will:
- Help participants pace spending evenly
- Keep supports consistent across the year, reducing the risk of gaps in essential services
- Provide better alignment between funding and service delivery
“Funding periods don’t change the total amount of funding in a participant’s plan, only when the funding becomes available.”
–NDIS
Breaking Down the Changes
|
What This Means for Your Family |
Why It Matters |
|
Funds arrive over time |
Aligning your supports with the funding schedule will be important to maintain continuity |
|
Your budget stays the same |
You will still have the same amount of SIL funding, but it will be allocated in smaller amounts |
|
Funds roll over within the plan |
Unused funds carry into the next funding period within the same plan, but they do not roll over past the plan’s end |
|
SIL funding will be received monthly |
This can make it easier to match provider invoices to the funding that is available each month |
Steps You Can Take Now
Here are some suggested actions to take to best prepare for the funding changes:
- Talk to your SIL provider about updating service agreements to match the new funding schedule.
- Review your budget with your plan manager.
- Track your spending throughout each funding period.
- Stay informed by reading NDIS updates.
- Ask questions early if you are unsure about how the changes will affect your plan.
Your Trusted SIL Provider
Keen to partner with a SIL provider you can count on?
Choose Endeavour Foundation – Australia's largest provider of intellectual disability services.
We are here to help your loved one live independently in a home that feels right for them.
Whether your loved one is looking to move into one of our homes or receive support in a home they already live in, we will be there every step of the way.
Experience the Endeavour Foundation difference today.