Disability Accommodation in Craigieburn — All the Options Explained
NDIS Services at You Belong Care
- Assist Travel Transport
- Daily Living Life Skills
- Daily Personal Activities
- Group Activities
- Household Tasks
- Innovative Community Participation
- Supported Independent Living
- Life Stage Transition
- Community Participation
- High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities
- NDIS Support Worker
- Community Nursing Care
- Respite Care
- Therapeutic Supports
- NDIS Dietitian & Nutritionist
- Youth Mentoring
- Disability Accommodation
- SIL Vacancies
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
There are more disability accommodation options than most families realise, and they can be confusing to sort out. SIL, SDA, ILO, respite — the acronyms do not help. This page is a plain-language guide to the four main NDIS accommodation types, how they work, who they suit, and what is actually available in Craigieburn right now.
You Belong Care operates across SIL, respite and coordination of SDA placements. We can walk participants and families through the options without trying to push you into something that does not fit.
Accommodation Options Covered
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) — 24/7 support in shared or individual homes
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) — purpose-built accessible housing
- Individualised Living Options (ILO) — bespoke independent living arrangements
- Short-Term Accommodation (STA) — respite stays
- Regular rental with drop-in supports — mainstream housing with NDIS support
The Key Thing to Understand: Support vs Housing
NDIS splits disability accommodation into two separately-funded components:
| Support Funding | Housing Funding |
|---|---|
| Pays for the workers who support you in the home | Pays for the building itself (in some cases) |
| SIL, or standard support hours | SDA (for a small cohort with extreme functional impairment) |
| Most participants have this | Most participants do not qualify for SDA |
| You choose the provider | You choose the SDA dwelling |
The most common situation is SIL support in mainstream rental housing — you rent like any tenant, and SIL workers come in for their shifts. SDA is a separate funding type for participants whose housing itself needs to be specialised.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL is the most commonly-funded accommodation support. It funds 24/7 support workers in a residential setting — usually a shared home with 2-4 other participants. Three levels:
- Lower — irregular scheduled shifts, for participants who are largely independent
- Standard — 24/7 including active overnight worker
- Higher — 2:1 or clinical oversight for complex medical or behavioural needs
Full details on our Supported Independent Living page, including our SIL vacancies.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA is purpose-built housing for participants with “extreme functional impairment” or “very high support needs” where mainstream housing cannot meet the access or safety requirements. SDA is not for every participant — only a small percentage qualify.
SDA dwelling categories include:
- Improved Liveability — enhanced accessibility (ramp, wider doors, accessible bathroom)
- Fully Accessible — wheelchair accessible throughout, higher specifications
- High Physical Support — ceiling hoists, assistive technology throughout
- Robust — built for behaviours of concern, specific safety features
SDA funding pays the SDA provider (the owner of the building) directly. The participant contributes a reasonable rent (up to 25% of the DSP plus rent assistance). The NDIS tops up the rest to cover building costs.
Qualifying for SDA requires specific evidence — usually an OT report plus supporting documentation showing standard housing cannot meet needs. Our support coordination team helps participants prepare SDA applications.
Individualised Living Options (ILO)
ILO is a more flexible option for participants who want to live independently but need some support, and who do not want a traditional SIL shared house. ILO sits between SIL and completely independent living.
Typical ILO arrangements:
- Host arrangement — participant lives with a host family or individual who provides some support in exchange for a share of NDIS funding
- Co-residency — participant lives with a housemate who provides some practical support
- Drop-in support in a private rental — NDIS funds scheduled support visits, not 24/7 presence
- Peer-based independent living — participants living together, supporting each other
ILO is a good option for participants who find SIL too institutional but cannot manage completely alone. Setup is more bespoke and takes longer. It is funded differently from SIL and requires a specific ILO exploration phase first.
Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and Respite
STA covers short-term stays — from one night to two weeks — in respite accommodation. Used for:
- Giving family carers a break
- Testing out shared living before a SIL move
- Transitioning out of hospital before going home or to SIL
- Emergency situations — primary carer hospitalised, crisis in the family home
Full details on our Respite Care page.
Mainstream Rental With NDIS Support
Sometimes the best accommodation option is a regular rental (private or public housing) with NDIS support coming in as needed. This is particularly the case for participants who:
- Have a partner or family member who provides most daily support
- Want to live alone but with drop-in support
- Qualify for public or community housing through the Victorian Housing Register
- Are on the path to greater independence and do not need full SIL
This is cheaper in NDIS funding terms and more flexible. We can provide support workers on this basis — see our NDIS support worker page.
Deciding Which Option Fits
The question “which accommodation type do I need?” depends on several factors:
| Situation | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| High support needs + shared setting works + no specific housing requirement | SIL in mainstream rental |
| High support needs + specific housing requirements (hoists, accessibility, behaviour-proof) | SIL + SDA together |
| Moderate support needs + want own place + family or housemate assists | ILO arrangement |
| Moderate support needs + independent-minded + do not want shared living | Private rental + drop-in support |
| Just need breaks, not a move | STA / in-home respite |
| Aging parent who can still care but wants security | ILO with aging parent as host |
Most participants do not settle on the right option first go. It is normal to try SIL and move to ILO, or start with respite and progress to a permanent move.
Planning an Accommodation Move
Any move is significant. We help with:
- Options conversation — understanding what is available, what is funded, and what suits.
- Funding review — does the current plan support the preferred option? If not, what needs changing at plan review?
- Tours and visits — SIL houses, SDA dwellings, ILO host families. See places, meet people.
- Applications — SDA applications, Housing Register applications, SIL quotes.
- Transition planning — graduated visits, skill-building, logistical setup.
- The move itself — practical support, emotional support, follow-up.
- Post-move review — does it work? What needs to change?
Disability Accommodation in Craigieburn and the North Corridor
Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Mickleham and the wider Hume-Whittlesea corridor are good areas for disability accommodation for several reasons:
- Affordable rentals compared to inner Melbourne
- Growing NDIS service footprint (more providers, more choice)
- Good public transport — Craigieburn train line, bus networks
- Multiple hospitals within 20 minutes — Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows
- New housing stock with relatively modern access standards
- Strong community services and cultural diversity
Our SIL vacancies are concentrated in Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, and Mickleham. See current availability on the SIL vacancies page.
Start With an Options Conversation
The first step is a one-hour conversation about what you actually want. No commitment. No pushing you toward a specific option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of disability accommodation does NDIS fund?
Four main types: Supported Independent Living (SIL) support, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing, Individualised Living Options (ILO), and Short-Term Accommodation (STA / respite). Plus support for mainstream rental with drop-in support.
What is the difference between SIL and SDA?
SIL funds support workers. SDA funds purpose-built housing. Most participants have SIL. SDA is for a smaller cohort with specific housing needs — extreme functional impairment or high support needs requiring specialised building features.
How do I qualify for SDA?
SDA eligibility requires evidence of “extreme functional impairment” or “very high support needs” where mainstream housing cannot meet access or safety needs. An OT report, medical documentation and often a support coordinator’s case is needed. Only a minority of participants qualify.
What is ILO?
Individualised Living Options. More flexible accommodation arrangements — host family, co-residency, drop-in support in private rental. Bridges the gap between SIL and completely independent living.
Do you have current accommodation vacancies?
Yes — usually. Our SIL vacancies list is updated weekly. See the SIL vacancies page for current availability.
Can I rent privately and use NDIS support?
Yes. Many participants rent privately (or have public housing) and use NDIS support workers for daily support. No SIL or SDA funding required.
Can my parents be paid to be my carers?
Generally no — NDIS does not fund family members as support workers except in rare circumstances. ILO host arrangements are an exception, where a host (sometimes a family member) receives a portion of funding for their role.
How much rent do I pay in SIL or SDA?
SIL: you pay regular market rent to whoever owns the property. SDA: you pay a reasonable rent contribution (up to 25% of DSP + rent assistance). NDIS covers the rest for SDA only.
Can I move from SIL to my own place later?
Yes. Many participants use SIL as a stepping stone and move to more independent arrangements later as skills build. We support the transition and can reduce support intensity gradually.
How do I start planning a move?
Call for an initial conversation. We can cover options in about an hour and help you work out what is worth exploring further.