SDA vs SIL: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

If you’re new to NDIS housing, “SDA” and “SIL” can feel like they mean the same thing. They don’t — and understanding the difference early can save a lot of confusion later.

SDA is the home

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding pays for the physical dwelling — its accessible design, build quality and special features like wider doorways, ceiling hoist provisions or reinforced walls. SDA is for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet specific NDIS criteria.

SIL is the support

Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding pays for support workers — the people who help with cooking, personal care, community access and other daily tasks. SIL is delivered inside the home, but by a provider you choose separately.

Why keep them separate?

Because SDA and SIL are funded and delivered independently, you always keep choice and control over who supports you — even while living in a home provided by an SDA landlord like Excelsior. If your SIL provider isn’t working out, you can look elsewhere without needing to move house.

Want the full picture, including a worked example of what rent looks like? Read our guide to how funding works.