Choosing the Right SIL Provider
Questions to ask when comparing Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers, with guidance on what to look for and what to discuss before choosing one.
The Decision Is More Important Than It Looks
Choosing a Supported Independent Living (SIL) provider can happen during a difficult or urgent period. You may be leaving hospital, moving from a family home or looking for another living arrangement. Start with the person’s support needs, preferences, routines and the things that would help them feel comfortable at home.
Write down the questions that matter most and ask for clear answers about staffing, household compatibility, costs and the service agreement. Where time allows, visit the home and talk through your options with people you trust. If a decision is urgent, explain the timing so the provider can discuss what is possible.
Questions to Ask Every Provider
Start with staffing. Ask how the provider matches support workers to participants, how they maintain consistency and what happens during staff leave or turnover. Ask for practical examples of how workers learn someone's communication style, preferences and routines, alongside the training they receive.
Ask about communication. Who is your main contact when something needs to be raised? How can family members or a support coordinator be involved, with your agreement? Ask how feedback and complaints are handled, and how the provider explains the outcome of a concern.
Ask about the household dynamic. If it is a shared arrangement, how are people's preferences considered when deciding who lives together? How are disagreements between housemates addressed? Include the things that make a home work for you, such as visitors, quiet time, shared spaces and having a say in daily routines.
What would an ordinary week look like? Ask which daily tasks the proposed support covers, when it would be available and how much is individual or shared. Discuss overnight arrangements and weekends. Use examples from your routine, such as getting ready, preparing meals or spending time with people who matter to you. A written outline can make it easier to compare providers' answers.
What are the costs? Request a breakdown of support hours, rates, total costs and any additional charges. Ask which costs would come from your approved support funding and which you would pay separately. Include rent, groceries and utilities in the conversation so the cost of receiving support is clearly distinguished from everyday household expenses. Do not rely on an overall quote without understanding what it includes.
What happens when circumstances change? Discuss what would happen if your support needs changed, you spent time away or a housemate moved out. Ask how the arrangement would be reviewed with you and how proposed changes to support or costs would be explained. Keeping these questions in writing helps you return to them when comparing options.
How can the agreement be changed or ended? Ask about review dates, cancellation arrangements, notice periods and any relevant fees. Also ask what happens if the provider cannot deliver a scheduled support. Have unclear terms explained before making a decision, and make sure you know who to contact about the agreement.
Can I review everything first? Request information in a format that works for you. Take time to read it, discuss it with someone you trust if you wish, and ask for changes. Keep a copy of the final agreement and a list of anything still unanswered. You do not need to settle every question during the first meeting.
The NDIS resources 'What is supported independent living (SIL)' and 'How to make a service agreement' provide independent guidance to use alongside these questions. The guidance was checked on 20 October 2026.
Trial Periods and Settling In
Ask how the provider helps someone settle into a new home. Discuss visits, meeting the people who live there, and any trial or transition arrangements that may be available. These options vary between homes and providers, so a trial may not always be possible.
Before agreeing to any arrangement, ask what it involves, who will provide support and what it may cost. Check the person’s funding, the proposed service agreement and any conditions that apply. The aim is to understand the transition and make a considered decision about whether the household and support could suit the person.
What Good SIL Support Feels Like
Pay attention to how the provider talks with the person who will receive support. Do they listen to their preferences, explain options clearly and discuss how daily routines can reflect their choices? Ask practical questions about meals, visitors, activities, privacy and how concerns are raised.
You can also ask whether a current participant or family is willing to share their experience. This should only happen with their consent. A provider may be unable to arrange a conversation because of privacy or personal preferences. That alone does not tell you whether the provider is a good fit.