NDIS Individualised Living Option (ILO) Explained – Everything You Need to Know

Get a clear understanding of Individualised Living Options (ILO) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Funded within Core – Home and Living (stated), ILO supports you to design a personalised living arrangement and build flexible, home-based support around it.

This page covers:

What Individualised Living Options include and who they are designed for
How ILO differs from other home and living supports
How ILO funding works, including what it does and does not cover

If your NDIS plan includes Home and Living funding, Care Decisions can help. We’ll compile and send a personalised shortlist of suitable ILO providers, matched to your goals, preferred living setup and level of support required.

What are Individualised Living Option Supports Under the NDIS?

Individualised Living Options (ILO) are Core Supports under the NDIS that help you design and fund a personalised living arrangement. Unlike SIL’s rostered model, ILO lets you choose where and with whom you live, then builds support around that.

In practical terms, ILO funds a flexible package of home-based support for people who need help with daily tasks but do not require 24-hour rostered care. Common examples include:

Living alone with on-call or drop-in support
Sharing with chosen housemates or friends
Living with a host family who provides primary care (with reimbursement)
Supplementing family support with paid assistance

ILO typically has two stages:

Exploration & Design ($3,000–$10,000): Time to plan your ideal setup
Implementation ($105,000–$230,000/year): Ongoing support in your chosen home

Funding sits under Core – Home and Living (stated) and does not cover rent, utilities, or the house itself.

Who Benefits from Individualised Living Option Supports?

Individualised Living Options are for people who want control over their living arrangement but need assistance with some daily tasks. ILO suits those who do not fit the 24-hour rostered model of SIL.

This support may be a good fit if you:

Want to live alone or with chosen housemates/friends (not random)
Need 6+ hours/day of help with personal care or household tasks
Have strong informal supports (family/friends) to blend with paid help
Prefer flexible, personalised support over fixed rosters
Are 18+ (or planning ahead at 17) and ready for independence
Do not need 24-hour supervision but want stability

ILO is ideal for moderate support needs where you can direct your life but need assistance to make it work.

What Individualised Living Options Supports Can Help With Day-to-Day

Individualised Living Options provide flexible, personalised assistance with everyday tasks. The focus is on your chosen living setup, blending paid and informal support to suit your life.

Depending on your arrangement, ILO can help with:

Personal care: Assistance with showering, dressing, eating or health routines
Household tasks: Cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping or home maintenance
Daily planning: Budgeting, appointments, bills, and organising your routine
Community access: Getting out for shopping, social activities or recreation
On-call support: Help when needed, rather than a fixed roster

ILO is typically for moderate support needs (6–16 hours/day), allowing you to live alone, with family or chosen housemates while getting the help you need.

How Individualised Living Options Supports are Funded Through the NDIS

Individualised Living Options sit within the Core Supports budget of your NDIS plan, under Home and Living (stated support).

ILO funding works in two stages:

Exploration & Design ($3,000–$10,000): Time to plan your ideal living setup and submit a service proposal
Implementation ($105,000–$230,000/year): Ongoing support in your chosen home

Not every plan includes ILO. It is typically funded for people with moderate daily support needs (6–16 hours/day) who want flexible arrangements like living alone or with chosen housemates.

What ILO funding covers:

Personal care, household tasks, and community access
Flexible rosters or on-call support
Blending paid and informal (family/friends) help

What it does NOT cover:

Rent, utilities, or housing costs
24-hour rostered care (that’s usually SIL)

If unsure about your ILO funding, check your plan or speak with your Support Coordinator.

How Care Decisions Helps You Find the Right Relationships Supports Providers

Care Decisions is not a directory. We are a free, independent service that helps people find disability support providers matched to their needs, NDIS plan and location.

We take the time to understand what you want your living arrangement to look like and what kind of support would help you get there. We then prepare a personalised shortlist of providers with experience in Individualised Living Options.

There is no cost to you, and no pressure to choose a particular provider. You remain in control of the decision at every step.

How It Works

Finding the right NDIS provider shouldn’t be overwhelming. We make it easier by connecting you with dependable, available support services that meet your needs. Our FREE service takes the hassle out of the search. Here’s how it works.

Step 1

Let’s Get Started

Share your support needs, goals, location, and preferences with your dedicated NDIS matching specialist. We’ll help you find the right providers to suit your unique situation.

Step 2

Get a Tailored Provider Options Report

Our team of trained local NDIS support specialists create a personalised report, showing only NDIS providers who are available and matched to your specific requirements, location, and the type of support you’re looking for.

Step 3

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan

Once we have sent a list of options, providers will then be in touch. We’ll also help you understand how the NDIS works, how to get the most value from your allocated budget, and how to maximise the care and support available to you. We can also assist you in comparing provider pricing and service options.

Common Questions About Individualised Living Option (ILO) Support

What’s the difference between ILO and Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

SIL usually involves shared housing with rostered support (often 24 hours a day). ILO is more flexible, letting you choose your home and support style (e.g., drop-ins, host families).

Is ILO the same as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

No. SDA relates to the physical building. ILO is about how support is arranged, regardless of the type of home you live in.

Does ILO pay for rent or housing?

Do I need informal supports, like family or friends, for ILO?

Not always, but ILO often works best when there is a mix of paid and unpaid supports. This looks different for everyone.

Is ILO suitable for people with higher support needs?

It can be, depending on the person and the design of the support arrangement. This is assessed individually.