Where you live, and the support you have at home, can shape almost every part of daily life. The NDIS funds a range of home and living supports to help participants live as independently as possible. This guide explains the main types, how they’re funded, and what the NDIS doesn’t cover.
What Are Home and Living Supports?
Home and living supports help participants with the everyday support they need to live at home, build independence and plan for the future. Depending on a participant’s needs and plan, they may include:
- ongoing support to live more independently at home
- short breaks away from home, for a change of routine or to give families a break
- help to understand home and living options and plan for changes, such as moving out of home
What the NDIS funds, and how much, is decided by the NDIA and depends on each participant’s plan.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission describes Supported Independent Living as a package of home and living support for people with higher support needs.
SIL is ongoing support at home, which may include help with personal care, household tasks, medications and building independent living skills. It’s generally for participants who need support for much of the day.
One-on-One SIL
Some participants receive SIL in a shared-support home, while others receive one-on-one support. Aus Care Community Services provides one-on-one Supported Independent Living only, where a participant’s support is focused on them.
Registration
From 1 July 2026, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requires Supported Independent Living providers to be registered, with transitional arrangements for some existing providers. Aus Care Community Services is a registered provider of Supported Independent Living.
Short Breaks and Respite (Short Term Accommodation)
Short breaks can give participants a change of routine, a chance to build independent living skills, and families and carers a break.
In an NDIS plan, respite is usually funded as Short Term Accommodation (STA). You may also see it called Short Term Respite (STR), a name the NDIA used for a time.
How Short Term Accommodation Is Claimed
From 1 July 2026, Short Term Accommodation is claimed in two parts: support hours and accommodation. Everyday costs such as food, utilities and activities aren’t included in the accommodation part.
The NDIA has said some details of these changes are still being clarified. If you use or are planning a short break, check with your provider or your Care Navigator about how it will be claimed.
Want to talk through your home and living options? Speak with a Care Navigator →
Supporting a participant as a health professional or referrer? Information for referrers →
Other Home and Living Options
Home and living supports can also include help to explore your options and plan ahead. Depending on your plan, this might include:
- building skills for living more independently
- planning for a move out of the family home
- understanding the different ways support can be arranged at home
Your my NDIS contact or Care Navigator can help you understand what may suit your situation.
How Home and Living Supports Are Funded
Home and living supports are funded in different parts of an NDIS plan, depending on the type of support. For example, Supported Independent Living and Short Term Accommodation are funded as specific supports, while some everyday help at home may be funded under Assistance with Daily Life.
The NDIA decides what’s reasonable and necessary for each participant. If your home and living needs have changed significantly, you may be able to ask the NDIA about a plan reassessment. Who Can Request an NDIS Plan Reassessment? →
What the NDIS Doesn’t Fund
Home and living supports cover disability-related support. They generally don’t cover:
- rent or bond
- everyday living costs, such as food, utilities and household bills
- the cost of the home itself, unless a participant is eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
What Aus Care Community Services Doesn’t Provide
Aus Care Community Services doesn’t provide Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and doesn’t provide or allocate housing.
Aus Care Community Services doesn’t provide or allocate housing. Social housing is provided by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and community housing providers, who decide eligibility and timeframes. Where it’s funded in a participant’s NDIS plan, we can provide supports related to housing, such as helping participants understand their home and living options, prepare rental or housing applications, and connect with housing services. Rent, bond and everyday living costs aren’t funded by the NDIS. What the NDIS funds is decided by the NDIA.
How Aus Care Community Services Can Help
Through our Home and Living Supports, we provide one-on-one Supported Independent Living and short breaks (respite) across Sydney and NSW. A Care Navigator can help you understand your options, coordinate your supports and check in as your needs change. Home and Living Supports (1:1 SIL & Respite) →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SIL and In-Home Support?
Supported Independent Living is ongoing support for participants with higher support needs, usually for much of the day. In-Home Support & Personal Care provides help with personal care and everyday tasks at set times. Your Care Navigator can help you understand which may suit your situation.
Does Aus Care Community Services provide shared SIL?
No. Aus Care Community Services provides one-on-one Supported Independent Living only.
What is Short Term Accommodation?
Short Term Accommodation is how respite is usually funded in an NDIS plan. It covers support and accommodation for a short stay away from home. From 1 July 2026, support hours and accommodation are claimed separately.
Does the NDIS pay for rent?
No. Rent, bond and everyday living costs aren’t funded by the NDIS.
Does Aus Care Community Services provide housing?
No. Aus Care Community Services doesn’t provide or allocate housing, or provide Specialist Disability Accommodation. Where funded in a participant’s plan, we can help them prepare applications and connect with housing services.
Want to Talk About Your Home and Living Options?
Reviewed by the Aus Care Community Services Care Navigator team. Last reviewed: 17 September 2026.
Sources
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Mandatory registration for SIL
- NDIS: Home and living
- NDIS: Pricing updates
This information is general in nature and reflects NDIS information available at the time of writing on 17 September 2026. The NDIS is changing, and rules, dates and processes may be updated after this article is published. It is not legal, financial or individual NDIS advice and should not be relied on for decisions about your plan. What the NDIS funds, and decisions about access, plans and reassessments, are made by the NDIA. For the latest information, visit ndis.gov.au or call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. For help understanding your own situation, Speak with a Care Navigator.
