- We offer occupational therapy sessions for both NDIS participants and private clients. Book a time that suits you.
If you or a family member is exploring supported independent living options under the NDIS, the SIL assessment is one of the first things you will need to understand. For many participants and families, it can feel like an unfamiliar process with a lot of moving parts. This post breaks down what a SIL assessment actually involves, who carries it out, and what you can expect from start to finish.
Supported Independent Living, commonly known as SIL, is a type of NDIS-funded support that helps people with disability live as independently as possible, usually in shared or individual accommodation. SIL funding covers the cost of day-to-day personal support: help with getting ready in the morning, preparing meals, taking medication, and participating in the community.
A SIL assessment is a formal evaluation of a participant’s daily support needs, used to justify SIL funding in their NDIS plan. It documents what tasks a person can manage independently, what they need support with, the frequency and level of that support, and how their disability affects their ability to live and function in their home environment.
The SIL assessment forms the basis of the SIL report that is submitted to the NDIS. Without this evidence, the NDIA has no way to understand the level of support funding required. It is one of the most important pieces of documentation in the SIL approval process.
The SIL assessment process typically follows these steps:
1
You, your support coordinator, or a family member contacts an occupational therapy provider to request a SIL assessment. The OT will gather some background information before the first appointment.
2
The OT connects with you to discuss your daily routine, your goals, your living situation, and the supports you currently rely on. This may happen in person or via telehealth, depending on your preference and location.
3
The OT observes and evaluates how you perform daily tasks. This may take place in your current home, a potential SIL property, or another relevant setting.
4
The OT writes a detailed report documenting your support needs, the level of assistance required across different areas of daily life, and a recommendation for the type and frequency of SIL funding needed.
5
The completed report is submitted to the NDIA, usually through your support coordinator or plan manager, to support your SIL application or plan review.
Occupational therapists are the primary professionals who conduct SIL assessments under the NDIS. This is because OTs are specifically trained to assess functional capacity, which covers a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks safely and independently.
A NDIS occupational therapist brings a detailed understanding of how disability affects daily living across a wide range of domains. They can assess both the participant’s current abilities and the environmental factors that influence how much support is needed, giving the NDIA the kind of evidence-based picture that a SIL application requires.
While other allied health professionals may contribute supporting documentation, the SIL assessment itself is most commonly led by an OT with experience in NDIS SIL assessments.
During a SIL assessment, the occupational therapist evaluates a participant’s functional capacity across the core areas of daily life. These typically include:
The OT considers not just what a person can do on a good day, but what a typical day looks like and how support needs vary. This is particularly important for people with fluctuating conditions or complex disabilities, where a single observation may not tell the whole story.
The outcome of all of this is the SIL report: a detailed, evidence-based document that sets out the participant’s support needs and makes the case for the level of SIL funding required.
In most cases, a SIL assessment is funded through the participant’s existing NDIS plan under the Improved Daily Living budget category. This is the same budget used for other allied health assessments and therapy-related reports. The cost of the assessment is priced in line with NDIS pricing limits for occupational therapy services, and the SIL report is included as part of the process.
If you are not yet an NDIS participant but are in the process of applying, speaking to a local area coordinator or support coordinator about how to access funding for an assessment as part of your plan development is a good starting point.
If you are unsure whether your current NDIS plan includes funding for a SIL assessment, your support coordinator or plan manager can check your plan and advise you on next steps.
Our occupational therapists at Zenzability complete SIL assessments for NDIS participants across the Macarthur region. We come to you, whether you are in Campbelltown, Liverpool, or the surrounding area.
The length of a SIL assessment depends on the complexity of the participant’s support needs. The functional assessment component typically takes between one and three hours, with report writing completed after. Your OT will give you a clear estimate at the time of referral.
Yes. The NDIA requires a SIL assessment and report as part of the SIL funding approval process. The report provides the evidence base for the level of support funding requested. Without it, the NDIA cannot determine what level of SIL funding is appropriate for your situation.
In most cases, yes. SIL assessments are typically funded through the Improved Daily Living budget in your NDIS plan. If you are unsure, check with your support coordinator or plan manager before booking.
Once the SIL report is submitted to the NDIA, it is reviewed as part of your plan approval or plan review process. The NDIA uses the report to determine the level of SIL funding that will be included in your plan. Starting the assessment early in your planning cycle gives you the best chance of a smooth process.
