Finding suitable housing can be an important step towards living more independently for people with disability. Under the NDIS, some participants may receive home and living supports based on their disability-related needs, goals and NDIS plan.
These supports may help a person live more safely, build daily living skills or maintain a suitable home. However, the NDIS does not usually pay for everyday housing costs such as rent, groceries or utilities.
Above & Beyond Carers is a registered NDIS provider offering personalised support across Sydney, including Western Sydney and surrounding communities.
NDIS accommodation support at a glance
- The NDIS generally does not pay ordinary rent, mortgage payments, groceries or utilities.
- It may fund disability-related supports that help eligible participants live safely and independently.
- Home and living supports may include daily living assistance, Supported Independent Living (SIL), Individualised Living Options (ILO), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Medium Term Accommodation (MTA).
- Eligibility depends on a participant’s individual needs, goals, circumstances and NDIS funding criteria.
- Participants may need evidence from treating health professionals to support a request for home and living support.
What is accommodation tenancy under the NDIS?
Accommodation tenancy refers to a person’s living arrangement and the responsibilities involved in maintaining their home.
The NDIS generally does not pay for rent, mortgage payments, groceries, utilities or other ordinary household expenses. Instead, it may fund disability-related supports that help a participant live safely and as independently as possible.
These supports may include:
- Personal care
- Help with daily living
- Household tasks
- Skill development
- Support to find or maintain suitable housing, where eligible
For families exploring their options, our Accommodation Tenancy support page is a useful starting point for understanding how personalised support can fit into a participant’s living arrangement.
Does the NDIS pay for accommodation?
In most cases, the NDIS does not pay for ordinary rent or the general cost of housing.
Participants are usually responsible for everyday living expenses, including:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Groceries
- Electricity, water and other utilities
- Internet and other personal household costs
The NDIS may instead fund reasonable and necessary disability-related supports that help an eligible participant live more independently.
Some housing-related supports are available in specific situations. For example, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is designed for eligible people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA covers the specialist housing component, while support workers and personal care are funded separately.
Who may be eligible for NDIS accommodation support?
Not every NDIS participant will be eligible for home and living supports. Eligibility depends on the person’s disability-related needs, circumstances, goals and the NDIS funding criteria.
When considering a request, the NDIS may look at:
- The participant’s functional capacity
- The help they need at home
- Their current living arrangement
- Their goals for independence
- Existing formal and informal supports
- Evidence from relevant treating health professionals
If a participant’s housing or support needs change, they should discuss those changes with their my NDIS contact. The NDIS may ask for evidence showing what the participant can and cannot do because of their disability and how this affects daily life.
What types of NDIS home and living support are available?
The right home and living support depends on the participant’s needs. It is not based only on the type of property they live in.
Assistance with daily life
Assistance with daily life can help participants complete everyday tasks at home. Support may include personal care, cooking, cleaning and other activities affected by disability.
The goal is to help the participant stay safe, build skills and live as independently as possible.
Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides help from support workers for eligible participants who need assistance at home.
SIL may include support with:
- Personal care
- Daily routines
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Household tasks
- Building independent living skills
SIL is not the accommodation itself. It cannot be used to pay rent or normal day-to-day living expenses.
For some participants, SIL may be used alongside a suitable housing arrangement. The amount of support depends on the person’s individual needs.
Individualised Living Options
Individualised Living Options (ILO) offer a flexible way to arrange both housing and support.
An ILO can be built around the participant’s needs, preferences and goals. It may also involve support from family, friends and other people where appropriate.
Specialist Disability Accommodation
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is specially designed housing for eligible people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
Depending on the property, SDA features may include:
- Wider doorways
- Accessible bathrooms
- Ceiling hoists
- Automated doors
- Other accessibility features
SDA covers the housing component. Supports such as personal care or SIL are separate. Participants generally still pay an agreed rent contribution and their normal everyday living costs.
Medium Term Accommodation
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is a temporary housing option for some eligible participants.
It may be available when a participant cannot move into their long-term home because disability supports or the accommodation itself are not yet ready. In specific circumstances, MTA can generally be funded for up to 90 days.
MTA is not emergency accommodation. It also does not usually cover everyday expenses such as food, internet or electricity.
How to request NDIS home and living support
Start by identifying the support the participant needs at home and how their disability affects daily life.
This may include:
- Personal care needs
- Household tasks
- Safety concerns
- Mobility or accessibility needs
- Goals for greater independence
- The amount of support needed during the day or night
The participant can then discuss these needs with their my NDIS contact. The NDIS may request evidence from treating health professionals, such as an occupational therapist.
Supporting evidence should clearly explain:
- What support is needed
- When the support is needed
- How the disability affects everyday activities
- How the participant’s current housing affects their needs
- What other housing or support options have been considered
This information can help the NDIS decide which home and living supports may be appropriate.
How accommodation tenancy support can build independence
Suitable housing is only one part of independent living. A participant may also need practical support to manage daily tasks, build skills and take part safely in home and community life.
Personalised support may help participants work towards goals such as:
- Greater independence with daily activities
- Improved wellbeing
- More community participation
- Stronger everyday living skills
- Support with personal care and household tasks
- Better social connection
- More confidence at home and in the community
- Support that reflects individual goals and preferences
Accommodation tenancy support in Sydney and Western Sydney
Participants and families across Sydney can have very different housing and support needs. Accessibility, daily support requirements, family circumstances and personal goals can all affect the type of support that may be suitable.
This is especially relevant for participants exploring options across Western Sydney, including:
- Guildford
- Parramatta
- Blacktown
- Liverpool
- Bankstown
- Fairfield
- Auburn
- Penrith
- Campbelltown
Above & Beyond Carers takes a family-first approach to disability support. The focus is on honesty, reliability, compassion and trust.
As a registered NDIS provider, the organisation works with participants and families to provide personalised support based on each person’s goals, preferences and circumstances.
Support may include help with daily activities, household tasks, community participation and building greater independence. The same person-centred approach applies when exploring accommodation and tenancy-related support.
Accommodation tenancy and independent living goals
A suitable living arrangement should support more than basic housing needs. It should give a person the opportunity to build skills, maintain relationships, take part in the community and work towards greater independence.
NDIS home and living supports are based on individual needs, goals and circumstances. Some participants may use more than one type of home and living support where appropriate.
For this reason, it is helpful to look at the participant’s full support needs rather than focusing only on the property itself.
For people considering accommodation tenancy support in Sydney, understanding the difference between housing costs and disability-related support costs is an important first step. A clear picture of the participant’s needs can also make discussions with their NDIS contact more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the NDIS pay my rent?
Generally, no. Participants are normally responsible for rent, mortgage payments, groceries, utilities and other everyday living costs. The NDIS may fund eligible disability-related supports that help a participant live more independently.
Can the NDIS help me find suitable accommodation?
In some circumstances, the NDIS may fund disability-related support that helps a participant find and maintain suitable housing. Eligibility depends on the participant’s needs and the NDIS funding criteria.
Is SIL the same as accommodation?
No. Supported Independent Living (SIL) funds support workers who help eligible participants live more independently. SIL is not the property itself and cannot be used to pay rent or ordinary living expenses.
What evidence may be needed for home and living support?
The NDIS may request evidence from relevant treating health professionals, such as an occupational therapist. The evidence should explain the participant’s disability-related needs, functional capacity and why other options may not meet those needs.
Can I receive more than one type of home and living support?
Yes. Some participants may have more than one home and living support included in their NDIS plan. The combination depends on their individual needs, goals, circumstances and the NDIS funding criteria.
Accommodation tenancy generally refers to the housing arrangement a person lives in and the responsibilities associated with maintaining that home. The NDIS does not generally pay a participant’s rent, mortgage, groceries, utilities or ordinary household expenses. Instead, NDIS funding may support disability-related needs that help a person live safely and independently in their chosen home.
These supports can include assistance with daily living, personal care, household tasks, skill development and other disability-related supports. Depending on individual circumstances, the NDIS may also fund supports that assist a participant to find and maintain suitable housing.
For families looking at their options, our Accommodation Tenancy support provides a useful starting point for understanding how personalised support can fit into a participant’s living arrangements.
Does the NDIS pay for accommodation?
In most circumstances, the NDIS does not pay for ordinary rent or the general cost of housing. Participants are generally responsible for rent, utilities, groceries and other everyday living expenses. The NDIS may instead fund reasonable and necessary disability-related supports that help a person live independently.
There are specific circumstances where the NDIS can fund housing-related supports. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), for example, is designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs and provides specially designed housing. However, SDA is different from support services delivered by workers in the home.
Who may be eligible for NDIS accommodation support?
Eligibility depends on the participant’s individual disability-related needs, circumstances, goals and the NDIS funding criteria. Not everyone who receives NDIS funding will automatically be eligible for home and living supports.
When considering home and living supports, the NDIS may look at the participant’s functional capacity, the assistance they require at home, their current living arrangements, their goals and other formal or informal supports available to them. Evidence from relevant treating health professionals may also be required.
Participants should discuss their circumstances with their NDIS contact when they believe their housing or support needs have changed. The NDIS can consider evidence about what the participant can and cannot do because of their disability and how this affects their daily life and housing needs.
What types of Accommodation Tenancy NDIS home and living support are available?
The Accommodation Tenancy NDIS has several home and living options. The appropriate support depends on the participant’s circumstances rather than simply the type of property they live in.
Assistance with daily life
Assistance with daily life can help participants with everyday activities at home, such as personal care, cooking, cleaning and other tasks where support is required because of disability. The purpose is to help the person live as independently as possible.
Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living, commonly known as SIL, provides support from workers to help eligible participants develop their skills and live as independently as possible. SIL is not the accommodation itself and cannot be used to pay rent or ordinary day-to-day expenses.
For some participants, SIL may work alongside an appropriate accommodation arrangement. The level and type of support depends on individual needs, including how much assistance is required throughout the day.
Individualised Living Options
Individualised Living Options (ILO) can provide a flexible approach to living arrangements and support. An ILO can be designed around the participant’s individual needs, preferences and goals, with support from family, friends and other people where appropriate.
Specialist Disability Accommodation
SDA is specially designed housing for people who have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Features may include accessible design elements such as wider doorways, specialised bathrooms, ceiling hoists or automated doors.
SDA is the housing component, while supports such as personal care or SIL are separate NDIS supports. Participants generally still pay an agreed rent contribution and other everyday living costs. citeturn0search3
Medium Term Accommodation
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is a temporary option that may be available for eligible participants who cannot move into their long-term home because their disability supports or accommodation are not yet ready. It can generally be funded for up to 90 days in specific circumstances.
MTA is not emergency accommodation and does not cover ordinary living expenses such as food, internet or electricity. citeturn0search2
How to request accommodation and home living support
The first step is to understand what type of assistance is needed and how the participant’s disability affects their daily life and housing requirements. This may include identifying personal care needs, household tasks, safety concerns, independence goals, and the level of support required at home.
Participants can then discuss their needs with their NDIS contact. The NDIS may ask for evidence from treating health professionals, such as an occupational therapist, to explain the person’s functional capacity and disability-related housing needs. citeturn0search0
Evidence should clearly explain what support is needed, when it is needed, how the disability affects everyday activities, and what other housing or support options have been considered. This information helps the NDIS determine which home and living supports may be appropriate.
How accommodation tenancy support can promote independence
Suitable accommodation is only one part of independent living. Participants may also need practical assistance to manage daily activities, develop skills and participate safely within their home and community.
Personalised support can help participants work towards goals such as:
- Greater independence in daily activities
- Improved physical and emotional wellbeing
- Increased community participation
- Development of essential life skills
- Support with personal care and household tasks
- Better social inclusion
- Flexible support tailored to individual goals
- Improved confidence and quality of life
- Ongoing support through NDIS-funded programs
Accommodation tenancy support in Sydney and Western Sydney
Participants and families in Sydney may have different housing and support requirements depending on their circumstances, accessibility needs and personal goals. This can be particularly important when considering support options across Western Sydney, including Guildford, Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Fairfield, Auburn, Penrith and Campbelltown.
Above & Beyond Carers takes a family-first approach to disability support, with a focus on honesty, reliability, compassion and trust. As a registered NDIS provider, the organisation works with individuals and families to provide personalised support that respects each participant’s goals, preferences and circumstances.
Whether a participant needs assistance with daily activities, household tasks, community participation or developing greater independence, support should be tailored to what matters to that individual. The same principles apply when exploring accommodation and tenancy-related support across Sydney and surrounding communities.
Accommodation tenancy and independent living goals
A good living arrangement should support more than basic housing needs. It should provide an environment where a person can develop skills, maintain relationships, participate in their community and work towards greater independence.
NDIS home and living supports are based on individual circumstances, needs and goals. Participants may be able to use more than one type of home and living support where appropriate, so it is important to consider the whole picture rather than focusing on accommodation alone.
For people considering accommodation tenancy support in Sydney, understanding the difference between housing costs and disability-related support costs is an important first step. A clear understanding of individual needs can help participants, families and support networks explore suitable options with their NDIS contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the NDIS pay my rent?
Generally, no. Participants are normally responsible for rent, mortgage payments, groceries, utilities and other everyday living costs. The NDIS may fund eligible disability-related supports that help a participant live independently.
Can the NDIS help me find suitable accommodation?
In some circumstances, the NDIS may fund disability-related supports that assist a participant to find and maintain suitable housing. Eligibility depends on the participant’s individual needs and NDIS funding criteria.
Is SIL the same as accommodation?
No. Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides funding for support workers to assist eligible participants with living independently. SIL is not the accommodation itself and cannot be used to pay rent or ordinary living expenses.
What evidence may be needed for home and living support?
The NDIS may request evidence from relevant treating health professionals, such as an occupational therapist. Evidence should explain the participant’s disability-related support and housing needs, functional capacity and why other options may not meet those needs.
Can I receive more than one type of home and living support?
Yes, some participants may have more than one home and living support included in their NDIS plan. The combination depends on individual circumstances, disability-related needs, goals and the NDIS funding criteria.
