What Is an NDIS SIL Assessment?

An SIL assessment is a professional report used to request Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding through the NDIS. It explains why a person needs daily support to live as independently as possible, and what type of support is reasonable based on their current needs.

The assessment is completed by an allied health professional — usually an occupational therapist or psychologist — who understands functional capacity and daily living. Their role is to observe the participant’s abilities, identify where support is needed, and provide detailed evidence to support the funding request.

SIL assessments don’t just look at what someone can or can’t do. They also examine the type of help required across a full 24-hour period, including:

Supervision or prompting with personal care
Help with cooking, cleaning, or household routines
Support with behaviour, communication, or emotional regulation
Overnight support (active or passive)

The final report explains the participant’s support needs in detail and recommends the most appropriate support model — whether that’s shared living, individual living, or another arrangement. This helps the NDIA determine whether SIL is suitable and how it should be included in the plan.

Who needs an SIL assessment — and when?

An SIL assessment is required when someone wants to access Supported Independent Living through the NDIS. It provides the NDIA with the information needed to decide whether SIL is appropriate and how it should be funded.

You may need an SIL assessment if:

You’re applying for SIL for the first time
You’re currently living with informal supports and looking to transition to formal care
You’re moving out of your family home or a group home and need support to live more independently
Your care needs have changed due to health, behaviour, or daily functioning
Your support coordinator or NDIS planner has recommended SIL as the next step in your housing journey

In many cases, support coordinators initiate the process when they see that a participant’s current supports are no longer enough to manage safely at home. This can happen gradually — as support needs increase — or during major transitions, like leaving hospital, out-of-home care, or aged care.

The assessment helps demonstrate that SIL is both reasonable and necessary. Without it, the NDIA won’t consider adding SIL to a plan. That’s why it’s important to arrange the assessment early — especially if housing is part of the next plan review or if the participant is at risk of losing their current living arrangement.

What does the SIL assessment involve?

The SIL assessment is more than just a checklist — it’s a detailed process that helps identify the kind of support a person needs to live safely and independently. The assessment usually takes place in the participant’s home and is completed by an occupational therapist, psychologist, or other qualified allied health professional with experience in functional capacity assessments.

Here’s what the process generally includes:

Initial meeting or interviewThe assessor meets with the participant, and where appropriate, also speaks with family members, carers, or support workers. They ask about the person’s daily routines, health, mobility, behaviour, and the kind of help they currently receive.
Observation of daily tasksThe assessor may observe how the participant moves around their home, completes personal care, handles meals, communicates, and manages safety. These observations are important because they provide real-world evidence of support needs.
Review of existing reportsIf available, the assessor will look at previous therapy reports, behaviour support plans, medical letters, or school/workplace documentation. This helps build a complete picture of the person’s needs.
Assessment of supervision and risksThe assessor considers how much supervision or prompting is required throughout the day and night. They also assess any risks — such as falls, behaviours of concern, or inability to manage medication — and how these risks are currently being managed.

Once all information is gathered, the assessor prepares a detailed report. This report is structured to match NDIA guidelines and includes professional recommendations on the level and type of support required — including whether shared or individual SIL is the most suitable option.

The process is respectful, thorough, and designed to reflect the person’s real life. It’s not about proving what someone can’t do — it’s about showing what support is needed to help them live well.

What does the SIL report include?

The SIL assessment report is a detailed document prepared for the NDIA. It outlines the participant’s current abilities, daily support needs, and the type of assistance required across a 24-hour period. It provides the evidence needed to justify SIL funding as a reasonable and necessary support.

A strong SIL report typically includes:

Daily living needsA breakdown of the participant’s support requirements throughout the day. This includes tasks like showering, dressing, preparing meals, household cleaning, and accessing the community. The report explains where assistance, prompting, or supervision is required — and why.
Overnight support needsThe report specifies whether the participant needs active or passive support during the night, and what risks exist without that support in place.
Supervision and safetyAn outline of any risks to safety if the participant is left unsupervised — including behaviours of concern, falls, self-care limitations, or medication management issues.
Recommendations for support typeThe assessor will explain whether the participant is best suited to shared SIL housing, individual living with support, or a different model of care. This is based on their needs, goals, and ability to live with others.
Support hours estimateA professional recommendation for how many hours of support are required per day or week — and whether those supports need to be continuous, intermittent, or 1:1.
Link to NDIS goalsThe report connects the recommended supports to the participant’s stated goals — such as building independence, learning skills, or living with greater stability.

A well-prepared SIL report makes it easier for the NDIA to understand the person’s real needs and make an informed funding decision. Without this level of detail, SIL requests are often delayed or declined.

How long does the assessment process take?

The full SIL assessment process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, but timing can vary depending on several factors. It’s not just the appointment — it includes time for planning, observation, report writing, and any follow-up required before submission.

Here’s a general breakdown of what’s involved:

Booking the assessmentOnce a referral is made, the provider will schedule an in-home assessment. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on availability and urgency.
Conducting the assessmentThe visit itself often takes 1 to 2 hours. In some cases, multiple sessions are needed to fully understand the participant’s support needs — especially if routines vary throughout the day or week.
Gathering supporting documentsReports from therapists, support workers, or medical professionals can strengthen the SIL report. If these aren’t already available, they may take extra time to collect.
Writing the reportThe therapist needs time to review all observations and documentation, then write a detailed report that meets NDIA requirements. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
Review and approval (if required)Some providers offer draft reviews or request feedback from support coordinators before final submission. While optional, this can help ensure the report is complete and accurate.

Delays can occur if:

Key documents are missing or outdated
The participant is unavailable for assessment
The provider has a waitlist or urgent caseload
Additional clarification is needed before the report can be finalised

That’s why it’s important to plan ahead — especially if the participant has a plan review coming up or needs SIL approval before moving into a new home. Starting early ensures everything is ready when the NDIA needs it.

What happens after the report is submitted?

Once the SIL assessment report is submitted, it becomes part of the participant’s evidence for SIL funding. The NDIA reviews the report to determine whether Supported Independent Living is reasonable and necessary based on the person’s current needs and goals.

Here’s what happens next:

The NDIA reviews the reportPlanners and assessors look at the information provided — including daily support needs, risks, and the link to NDIS goals. They may also review other documents in the participant’s file, such as previous plans, therapy reports, or housing applications.
A decision is madeIf the NDIA agrees that SIL is appropriate, funding is added to the plan under Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life. This funding is usually flexible enough to cover 24/7 support if justified in the report.
They may request more informationIf the report is unclear or doesn’t provide enough evidence, the NDIA may ask for clarification, updated documents, or input from other professionals. This can delay the decision, which is why a thorough report is essential from the start.
Support coordinators take the next stepsOnce funding is approved, the support coordinator works with the participant to:
- Identify SIL providers
- Match the participant with a suitable home (shared or individual)
- Arrange transition support or trial stays if needed
- Finalise service agreements and rosters of care

In some cases, the NDIA might decide that SIL isn’t the most suitable option and suggest alternatives — such as Individualised Living Options (ILO) or in-home supports through Core funding. If that happens, the report still plays a valuable role in guiding what level of support is needed and what housing options should be explored.

Conclusion

An SIL assessment is a key step toward accessing the right support to live more independently. It gives the NDIA the information they need to understand your daily support needs and decide whether SIL funding is suitable.

The process isn’t complicated — but it does need to be thorough. A well-prepared report can make all the difference when applying for SIL, especially if the person has complex needs, is in a housing transition, or requires 24/7 care.

At Zenzability, we provide SIL assessments across Sydney. If you’re looking to request SIL through the NDIS or need a report prepared for an upcoming review, we can guide you through every step — from referral to submission.

Get in touch to learn more or to arrange a SIL assessment for you or someone you support.

We’re an NDIS provider based in Sydney, offering allied health services for both NDIS participants and private clients.