What is ILO in the NDIS - and How Does It Help Your Family Member Move Out of Home?

If someone you love has a disability and is starting to talk about moving out of home, you might be feeling a mix of things right now. Proud. Nervous, Overwhelmed. Maybe a little unsure where to start.

That's completely normal. And you're not alone.

One of the most flexible and person-centered supports available through the NDIS is called an Individualised Living Option - or ILO. Its not talked about as much as Supported Independent Living (SIL) for for n=many people, it s a better fit.

Here's what you need to know:

What is an ILO?

An ILO is an NDIS-funded support that helps a person with disability live in a home that suits them — not one that's designed around a provider's roster or another person's schedule.

It's not the house itself. It's the support inside the home.

The idea is simple: your family member gets to choose where they live, who they live with, and how they want to be supported. The NDIS funds the support that makes that possible.

According to the NDIS Our Guidelines, an ILO is designed to give participants a genuine sense of home and belonging, while building independence over time. (ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au)

What Can an ILO Actually Look Like?

Every ILO is different — that's the point. But here are some common setups:

• Host arrangement — your family member lives full-time in the home of someone who isn't related to them, who provides companionship and day-to-day support

• Housemate arrangement — they live in their own home or a shared rental with one or more housemates who provide support as part of the arrangement

• Mix of formal and informal support — NDIS-funded workers, plus family, friends, or neighbours who play a role too

The support can include personal care, help with cooking or cleaning, emotional support, skill-building, and on-call help when needed.

How Is ILO Different from SIL?

This is the question families ask most.

	ILO	SIL
Best for	People needing 6+ hours/day support	People needing 8+ hours/day active support, 24/7
Living Arrangement	Chosen by the participant	Often shared, Provider managed
Support Design	Built around the person	Build around a roster
Flexibility	High	Lower
Who they Live With	People of their choice	Often other NDIS participants

If your family member doesn't need round-the-clock rostered care, ILO is often a more natural, community-connected option.

Why Does This Matter for Families?

Moving out of home is one of the biggest transitions a person with disability — and their family — will go through. ILO gives families a genuine say in how that transition is designed.

Your involvement doesn't disappear. In fact, family and friends are often a recognised part of the ILO support network — formally included in the plan as supplementary supports.

The key is that the participant leads the design. With the right help, they can shape a life that reflects who they are and what they want — not just what's available.

Where to Start

The first step is understanding what's possible. If you're supporting someone who wants to explore ILO, start by learning how the two-stage process works — because the NDIS funds that exploration too.

Contact us now for a conversation about how we can support you.