Shared SIL vs Single-Occupancy: Who Thrives in Each Environment?

Choosing the right Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangement is about much more than finding an available home. It's about finding an environment where an NDIS participant feels safe, supported, respected, and able to live as independently as possible.

One of the most common questions families, participants, support coordinators and allied health professionals ask is whether shared Supported Independent Living or single-occupancy SIL is the better option.

The answer is that neither model is inherently better. Both are recognised under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and both can provide excellent outcomes when they align with a participant's individual goals, support needs and lifestyle preferences.

The most successful living arrangements aren't determined by the type of housing alone. They're determined by how well the environment matches the person living there.

This guide explores the practical differences between shared and single-occupancy Supported Independent Living, who may thrive in each environment, and the factors that families and participants should consider when making this important decision.

SIL Can Look Very Different From One Home to Another

Many people hear the term Supported Independent Living (SIL) and imagine a single type of accommodation. In reality, SIL isn't a particular type of home, it refers to the supports a participant receives to help them live as independently as possible.

Those supports can be delivered in different living environments depending on a participant's circumstances, goals and approved NDIS funding.

For example, participants may live:

• In a shared home with two or more housemates

• In a home where support workers assist several participants throughout the day

• In a single-occupancy home where one participant receives individualised support

• In a home that also receives funding through Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) where specialised housing features are required

While the living arrangements may look quite different, the purpose of SIL remains the same: providing the right level of support while promoting independence, choice and quality of life.

Understanding the Difference Between SIL, SDA and Other Home and Living Supports

Before comparing shared and single-occupancy Supported Independent Living, it's helpful to understand where SIL fits within the broader range of NDIS home and living supports.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides funding for the support participants receive with everyday activities such as personal care, meal preparation, household tasks and developing independent living skills. It doesn't pay for the home itself, it funds the support services that help participants live as independently as possible.

Some participants who receive SIL funding may also receive funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Unlike SIL, SDA relates to the physical home rather than the supports provided within it. SDA is designed for participants with very high support needs or significant functional impairment who require specialist housing features.

Others may explore Individualised Living Options (ILO), another NDIS home and living support that focuses on creating flexible, personalised living arrangements rather than providing ongoing rostered support.

These supports all serve different purposes, and participants may be eligible for one or more depending on their individual circumstances and NDIS Plan.

If you're unsure how these supports differ, read our guide to SIL, ILO & SDA compared, which explains each option in greater detail.

For this article, we'll focus on one specific question: if Supported Independent Living is the right support model, is a shared home or a single-occupancy arrangement likely to be the better fit?

What Shared SIL Typically Looks Like

Shared Supported Independent Living is the most common SIL arrangement across Australia and is often what people picture when they think about disability housing.

While every household is different, shared SIL homes commonly include:

• Two to four participants living together

• Private bedrooms for each resident

• Shared kitchens, dining areas, living spaces and outdoor areas

• Support workers assisting multiple participants throughout the day

Although participants share a home, they don't all receive the same level of support. Each person's care plan outlines their individual goals, support requirements and approved SIL funding, so the assistance they receive may differ significantly from that of their housemates.

Depending on participants' assessed needs, support workers may provide assistance using shared support ratios such as 1:2 or 1:3. These ratios simply describe how many participants are supported by one staff member during particular periods, they don't mean everyone follows the same routine or receives identical care.

Some participants may have support staff available throughout the day, while others receive assistance from drop-in support workers at scheduled times for specific tasks, appointments or personal care. The level of support provided is based on each participant's assessed support intensity and the supports approved by the NDIA.

Good SIL providers tailor supports to the individual, even within shared environments. One participant may require assistance with personal care and medication management, while another may simply benefit from prompts, supervision or support to build everyday living skills.

The goal isn't to provide the same support to everyone in the household. It's to create a stable, welcoming home where each participant receives the assistance they need while maintaining as much independence, choice and control as possible.

Further reading: How SIL Participants Can Shape Their Own Support Routines

The Benefits of Shared Living

For many participants, shared accommodation offers benefits that extend well beyond practical support. While everyone's experience is different, living with compatible housemates can create opportunities for connection, confidence and personal growth that naturally become part of everyday life.

Everyday companionship

Living with others means there are often opportunities for casual social interaction throughout the day. Whether it's sharing a meal, watching television together, chatting over a coffee or simply greeting each other after work or a community activity, these everyday moments can help reduce feelings of isolation and create a genuine sense of belonging.

Natural opportunities to build social skills

Shared living also provides opportunities to develop communication, cooperation and problem-solving skills in a real-life environment. Participants learn to share spaces, respect each other's routines and navigate everyday household interactions, all valuable life skills that support greater independence.

A sense of home and community

Like any household, participants may celebrate birthdays, decorate for holidays, cook meals together or spend time relaxing in shared living areas. These experiences help create a home environment rather than a service environment.

Every household develops its own rhythm, and participants can choose how much or how little they engage in shared activities depending on their preferences.

Learning through everyday life

Independence isn't always built through formal programs. Often, it's developed gradually through ordinary daily experiences.

Watching a housemate prepare a meal, organise their morning routine or confidently catch public transport can encourage participants to try new things themselves. Over time, these small experiences can build confidence and reinforce independent living skills in a supportive environment.

Shared Living Doesn't Mean Losing Independence

One of the biggest misconceptions about shared Supported Independent Living is that participants lose control over their daily lives simply because they share a home.

In practice, the opposite is true.

Participants continue making decisions about many aspects of everyday life, including:

• When they wake up and go to bed

• What they eat

• How they spend their free time

• Community activities they'd like to participate in

• Personal goals they'd like to work towards

• Visitors they invite into their home

• How they prefer to receive support

Support workers are there to provide assistance where needed, not to make decisions on a participant's behalf.

The aim of Supported Independent Living is to build confidence, develop skills and provide the right level of support while respecting each person's choice, dignity and independence.

Who Often Thrives in Shared SIL?

Shared living often suits participants who enjoy being around other people and appreciate the social opportunities that come with living alongside compatible housemates.

Participants who may particularly benefit from shared Supported Independent Living include those who:

• Enjoy regular social interaction and companionship

• Feel comfortable sharing common living spaces while maintaining their own private bedroom

• Benefit from predictable household routines

• Like participating in shared meals or household activities

• Have support needs that are compatible with other participants

• Value being part of a small household community

Compatibility is one of the most important factors in any shared living arrangement.

Good SIL providers look beyond simply filling a vacancy. They consider communication styles, personalities, routines, lifestyle preferences and support requirements when matching housemates, recognising that a successful household depends on creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable, respected and supported.

When participants are thoughtfully matched and receive the right level of disability support, shared SIL can provide both the practical assistance and social connection that help people build confidence and enjoy greater independence.

What Single-Occupancy SIL Looks Like

While shared accommodation suits many participants, it isn't the right environment for everyone.

Single-occupancy Supported Independent Living allows one participant to live in their own home while receiving the disability support they require through an agreed roster of care. Rather than sharing support workers with housemates, supports are tailored specifically to that individual's daily routine, goals and support needs.

Depending on the participant's NDIS Plan, support may include:

• Scheduled visits from drop-in support workers

• Assistance with personal care and household tasks

• Meal preparation and medication management

• Community access and transport

• Overnight support

• Active 24/7 support where approved

Because these arrangements provide more individualised assistance, they often require higher levels of SIL funding and detailed evidence demonstrating why a shared living arrangement would not appropriately meet the participant's support needs.

It's important to understand that living alone doesn't necessarily mean receiving less support. In many cases, participants living in single-occupancy SIL receive more intensive, individualised assistance than those living in shared homes. The focus remains the same: providing the right supports to enable participants to live as independently and safely as possible.

The Benefits of Single-Occupancy SIL

Just as shared accommodation offers unique advantages, single-occupancy SIL can be the right fit for participants whose needs, preferences or circumstances make living alone more suitable.

Greater privacy

For some participants, having their own home provides a greater sense of comfort, security and personal space. They can enjoy quiet time, invite visitors, and establish routines without needing to consider the preferences or schedules of housemates.

Individual routines

Living alone allows daily routines to be built entirely around the participant.

Meal times, personal care, appointments, leisure activities and sleep routines can all be planned according to individual preferences rather than shared household schedules. This flexibility can be particularly valuable for participants with complex health needs or highly structured routines.

Reduced sensory demands

Some participants experience sensory sensitivities or become overwhelmed in busy household environments.

A single-occupancy arrangement may provide a calmer, lower-stimulation environment that supports emotional wellbeing, reduces anxiety and helps participants feel more settled in their home.

Highly individualised supports

Support staff work around the participant's specific goals, routines and preferences throughout the day.

This can make it easier to implement behaviour support strategies, respond to changing health needs or incorporate assistive technology recommended by an occupational therapist or other allied health professionals.

Like shared SIL, the goal isn't simply to provide care. It's to create a home where participants feel safe, respected and empowered to live the life they choose.

Who May Benefit From Single-Occupancy SIL?

Single-occupancy Supported Independent Living isn't a higher level of SIL—it's simply a different model designed for different circumstances.

Participants who may benefit from living alone include those who:

• Require a high level of daily support or supervision

• Have complex behavioural support needs

• Prefer a quieter or lower-stimulation environment

• Find shared living stressful or overwhelming

• Have routines or health requirements that are difficult to accommodate in a shared household

• Need greater privacy to support their wellbeing or independence

For these participants, an individual living arrangement may provide the consistency and flexibility needed to achieve their goals while maintaining a safe and stable home environment.

However, living alone doesn't automatically mean greater independence, just as living with others doesn't mean less independence. The most appropriate arrangement is the one that best supports the participant's wellbeing, preferences and quality of life.

How Is the Right Arrangement Decided?

Choosing between shared and single-occupancy Supported Independent Living is rarely based on a single factor.

Instead, it involves balancing the participant's goals and preferences with practical considerations such as support needs, available funding and suitable housing options. Decisions are typically made collaboratively between the participant, their family or support network, support coordination, allied health professionals and their chosen NDIS provider.

Participant choice and goals

Choice and control are central principles of the NDIS.

Whenever possible, participants should have genuine input into where they live, who they live with and how they receive support. Some people enjoy the social connection that comes with shared accommodation, while others value privacy and quiet. Neither preference is right or wrong; it's about finding an environment where the participant feels comfortable and can thrive.

Long-term goals are equally important. For some participants, shared living supports greater confidence and community participation. For others, individual accommodation better supports their independence, wellbeing or personal routines.

Allied health recommendations

Clinical evidence often plays an important role in determining which living arrangement is likely to provide the best outcomes.

An occupational therapist may assess how safely a participant manages everyday activities and recommend environmental supports or assistive technology that could improve independence. Behaviour support practitioners, psychologists and other allied health professionals may also provide assessments that help explain why one living arrangement is more appropriate than another.

These recommendations often form part of the evidence submitted to the NDIA when applying for or reviewing SIL funding.

Funding and NDIS plan reviews

The level of SIL funding approved by the NDIA is based on the participant's assessed support needs and the evidence demonstrating why those supports are considered reasonable and necessary.

Funding decisions aren't permanent. As participants' circumstances change, their supports may also be reviewed during an NDIS Plan review or plan reassessment. This helps ensure funding continues to reflect the participant's current goals, independence and support requirements.

Families often work alongside support coordinators, allied health professionals and their NDIS provider to ensure the participant's evidence accurately reflects what day-to-day life looks like and the level of support required.

Housing availability

The preferred living arrangement isn't always immediately available.

Participants may spend time waiting for a suitable vacancy or the right housemate match rather than accepting the first available placement. While waiting can sometimes feel frustrating, taking the time to find the right home often leads to better long-term outcomes.

Housemate compatibility

Where shared accommodation is being considered, compatibility is one of the most important factors.

Providers look beyond support needs alone, considering factors such as:

• Communication styles

• Lifestyle preferences

• Daily routines

• Shared interests

• Personal values

• Behaviour support requirements

Thoughtful matching helps create stable households where participants can enjoy both their independence and positive relationships with the people they live alongside.

Planning for the future

The decision isn't just about meeting today's needs.

Families, participants and support teams often consider questions such as:

• Will this environment continue supporting the participant over the next five or ten years?

• Are there opportunities to build greater independence?

• Can supports be adjusted if circumstances change?

• Does this arrangement align with the participant's future goals?

Looking beyond immediate circumstances helps ensure living arrangements remain sustainable as participants' lives evolve.

Ultimately, choosing between shared and single-occupancy SIL isn't about deciding which model is better. It's about finding the environment that provides the right balance of support, independence, stability and opportunity for each individual participant.

Shared SIL vs Single-Occupancy at a Glance

Every participant's circumstances are unique, but the table below provides a simple overview of how the two living arrangements typically compare.

Shared Supported Independent Living	Single-Occupancy Supported Independent Living
Participants live with compatible housemates	One participant lives independently in their own home
Support workers may assist multiple participants	Support workers provide individualised support based on the participant's roster of care
Encourages everyday social interaction and shared experiences	Offers greater privacy and quieter surroundings
Household routines are shared while still allowing personal choice	Daily routines are built entirely around the participant
Support costs may be shared between participants where appropriate	Often requires higher levels of SIL funding due to individual support requirements
Well suited to participants who enjoy companionship and shared living	May suit participants with complex support needs or those who find shared living unsuitable

It's important to remember that these are general comparisons rather than strict rules. Many participants thrive in shared accommodation despite having high support needs, while others living alone may receive relatively modest levels of support. The most appropriate arrangement depends on the individual, not the housing model itself.

There Isn't a "Better" Option, Only the Right Fit

One of the biggest misconceptions about Supported Independent Living is that single-occupancy arrangements represent a progression from shared accommodation, or that one model offers greater independence than the other.

In reality, neither assumption is correct.

Independence isn't measured by whether someone lives alone or with housemates. It's measured by whether they have the right supports, opportunities and environment to make choices, pursue their goals and participate in everyday life.

For some participants, sharing a home provides companionship, confidence and opportunities to develop independent living skills in a supportive environment. For others, living alone offers the consistency, privacy and flexibility they need to thrive.

It's also important to recognise that living arrangements aren't necessarily permanent. As participants' goals, support needs and circumstances change, their housing supports may evolve as well. Someone who initially benefits from shared accommodation may later transition to a single-occupancy arrangement, while others may move from living alone into a shared household where greater social connection better supports their wellbeing.

The right living arrangement is the one that continues to support the participant's quality of life, not just today, but into the future.

Conclusion: The Best Environment Is the One That Supports Stability, Choice and Independence

Choosing between shared and single-occupancy Supported Independent Living is one of the most significant decisions many NDIS participants and their families will make. It's not simply about finding accommodation, it's about creating a home where the participant feels comfortable, supported and able to live the life they want.

While practical considerations such as funding, housing availability and support requirements all influence the decision, the participant's goals, preferences and long-term wellbeing should remain at the centre of the conversation.

There is no universally "better" option. Shared SIL can provide valuable social connection, peer support and opportunities to build independence alongside compatible housemates. Single-occupancy SIL can offer greater privacy, flexibility and individualised support where that's what the participant needs to thrive.

The most successful outcomes come from carefully matching the person to the environment, rather than trying to fit every participant into the same model of support.

Taking the time to explore options, ask questions and understand how different living arrangements operate can help participants and families make confident, informed decisions that support both immediate needs and future goals.

Explore Supported Independent Living with Sunnysights

At Sunnysights, we understand that choosing the right Supported Independent Living arrangement is about much more than finding an available vacancy. It's about understanding each person's goals, support needs, preferences and what makes them feel most at home.

Whether you're considering shared accommodation, exploring individual living arrangements or simply beginning the conversation about future housing supports, our experienced team is here to help you navigate your options.

We work closely with participants, families, support coordinators and allied health professionals to create stable, supportive living environments where people can build independence, develop confidence and enjoy meaningful everyday lives. We can also help families understand how their approved core supports and home and living supports interact with SIL, and what information may be required before future funding reviews. 

If you'd like to learn more about our Supported Independent Living services or view our current SIL vacancies, we'd be happy to help you explore what the next step could look like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shared Supported Independent Living the most common type of SIL?

Yes. Shared accommodation is the most common Supported Independent Living arrangement funded under the NDIS. Participants typically live with two or more compatible housemates while receiving the individual supports outlined in their NDIS Plan. However, shared living isn't suitable for everyone, and some participants may be approved for single-occupancy SIL where individual support is considered reasonable and necessary.

Can I choose whether I live alone or with housemates?

Choice and control are key principles of the NDIS, and participants should be involved in decisions about where and how they live wherever possible. While personal preferences are an important consideration, the final living arrangement also depends on factors such as support needs, available SIL funding, suitable housing options and evidence provided to the NDIA.

Does living alone mean I receive more support?

Not necessarily. The amount of support a participant receives isn't determined by whether they live alone or in shared accommodation. Instead, support is based on individual needs, functional capacity and the funding approved within the participant's NDIS Plan. Some participants in shared homes receive very high levels of support, while others living alone may require less assistance.

What's the difference between shared SIL and Individualised Living Options (ILO)?

Shared Supported Independent Living and Individualised Living Options (ILO) are different NDIS home and living supports. SIL funds the day-to-day support participants need to live as independently as possible, while ILO funding is designed to help participants create flexible, personalised living arrangements that may involve hosts, co-residents or other informal supports. The most suitable option depends on the participant's goals, support needs and living preferences.

What happens if shared accommodation isn't the right fit?

Sometimes a living arrangement doesn't work as expected, and that's okay. Concerns may arise because of changing support needs, compatibility with housemates or evolving personal goals. Participants, families, support coordinators and providers can work together to review the situation and explore alternative housing supports where appropriate. Open communication often helps address concerns before they become larger issues.

How can Sunnysights help me choose the right Supported Independent Living option?

Choosing the right home takes careful planning. At Sunnysights, we take the time to understand each participant's goals, support needs, personality and preferences before recommending suitable Supported Independent Living options. We work collaboratively with participants, families, support coordinators and allied health professionals to help create living arrangements that support long-term stability, independence and quality of life.