How to See If You’ve Got Funding for NDIS Housing Supports
1. Check Your NDIS Plan Carefully
In an NDIS plan, housing-related supports are shown as stated line items, usually under Core – Assistance with Daily Life. This is what to look for:
Supported Independent Living (SIL):
This is listed in the Core supports section and confirms SIL funding. SIL funding pays for the support services delivered in your home, not for rent or building costs.Short-Term Respite (STR) / Short-Term Accommodation (STA):
Often now called Short Term Respite (STR) in current use, this can also be in your Core support budget. It provides planned short breaks or respite support.Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA):
This is also part of Core supports when included. MTA is used for transitional stays (e.g., while waiting for a long-term home). It’s not always automatically in a plan and must be justified based on support needs.Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA):
SDA appears in your plan only if you are eligible for specialised housing. SDA funding relates to the building itself and affects how much rent you might pay; it is separate from SIL support funding.
Tip: If these supports aren’t shown but you believe you need them, a planner, local area coordinator, or support coordinator can request them — evidence of functional need and support goals help with this process.
Where Each Housing/Maintenance Support Is Found in Your NDIS Plan
| Housing Support | Funding Section in Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Independent Living (SIL) | Core — Assistance with Daily Life | Daily support worker assistance for living independently (personal care, home routines, skill building). |
| Short-Term Respite (STR) | Core — Assistance with Daily Life | Temporary respite support; short stays away from usual home. |
| Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) | Core — Assistance with Daily Life | Transitional housing support while waiting for long-term placement. |
| Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) | SDA budget (separate category) | Specialist housing capital support; affects rent and reasonable rent contribution. |
How Much Housing Support Costs (Latest Pricing)
NDIS pricing for support services changes annually. The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits effective from 1 July 2025 set the price ceilings that providers like Thrive365 must follow.
Here’s a practical summary based on updated NDIS rate guides and SIL cost calculators:
SIL Support (per participant)
NDIS funds SIL as support worker hours and overnight covers, not rent:
Standard weekday support: approx. $70–$80 per hour
Evenings/Saturdays: approx. $78–$86 per hour
Sundays/public holidays: approx. $100–$140 per hour
Sleepover: around $280–$290 per night
Active overnight support: approx. $80–$95 per hour
(Actual budget depends on support intensity and roster requirements.)
STR (Short-Term Respite)
STR (formerly STA) has a daily rate that includes support and respite care:
Daily costs vary widely based on ratio and intensity, often from about $800–$2,500+ per day depending on staffing and time of week.
MTA
MTA costs are set around daily limits and vary by region and support needs; funding must be justified in the plan rather than automatically allocated.
Note: These prices are price limits, not what providers charge — the service agreement with a provider defines the exact amounts within NDIS allowable limits.
How SIL and Housing Costs Work in Practice
SIL covers support, not rent:
NDIS does not pay for rent or everyday living costs (utilities, groceries, etc.). Participants usually pay these out of personal income (e.g., DSP).SDA may reduce rent costs:
SDA funding contributes towards the building cost for eligible participants, which can reduce reasonable rent contributions. This is separate from SIL funding.Service agreements matter:
Your agreement with Thrive365 or any provider should clearly outline how SIL funding is used, including how many hours of support are rostered. This ensures your plan budget is used effectively and transparently.
Helping Participants Understand What They Can Buy
When you’re helping someone work out what their plan really covers:
Look at the exact line items in the plan and the total budget for each support category.
Use a pricing tool like the NDIS Price Guide Navigator to estimate how far those budgets will go.
Factor in location and support intensity: regional/remote prices and high-needs rosters typically need more budget.
Check service agreements: this shows the scheduled support and how it fits within the allocated SIL funding.
Summary
SIL, STR (short-term respite), and MTA are all Core – Assistance with Daily Living supports when funded.
SDA is separate and specifically listed as housing capital support in your plan.
SIL pricing focuses on daily support hours and overnight care; rent and living expenses remain personal costs.
Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2025–26 set the current allowable price limits.
