Home > A Comprehensive Guide to NDIS Individualised Living Options (ILO) in Perth

A Comprehensive Guide to NDIS Individualised Living Options (ILO) in Perth

Finding a place to call home is more than just securing four walls and a roof. It is about comfort, safety, identity, and independence. For NDIS participants in Western Australia, traditional disability accommodation models can sometimes feel rigid.

If you want greater flexibility over where you live, who you live with, and how your day-to-day support is structured, the NDIS Individualised Living Option (ILO) might be the perfect pathway for you.

As a registered NDIS service provider in Perth, Achieve Disability Care is dedicated to helping participants unlock the full potential of their NDIS plans. In this comprehensive guide, we explain exactly what an ILO is, how it works, and how you can get started right here in WA.

What is an Individualised Living Option (ILO)?

An Individualised Living Option (ILO) is an NDIS support model that funds the design and delivery of a highly personalized living arrangement. It does not fund the physical house or rent itself; instead, it funds the framework of support that allows you to live safely in your chosen home environment.

Unlike traditional setups, an ILO does not follow a fixed schedule or a one-size-fits-all approach. It adapts entirely to your routine, your lifestyle choices, and your long-term independence goals.

With an ILO, you retain full choice and control over:

Where you want to live: Whether in a rental, a home you own, or a shared space.
Who you want to live with: By yourself, with family, friends, a partner, or a dedicated housemate.
How your support is managed: A unique mix of paid professional support and informal network support (like family and friends).

The Two Stages of ILO Funding

The NDIS structures ILO funding into two distinct parts to ensure your arrangement is sustainable and safe:

Stage 1: Exploration and Design

This initial phase is about mapping out your vision of home. The NDIS provides funding to help you explore different living options, figure out where you want to live, who you want to live with, and what supports you will need. During this stage, Achieve Disability Care works with you to design a comprehensive, costed ILO proposal to submit to the NDIS.

Stage 2: Implementation of Supports

Once the NDIS approves your customized package, Stage 2 funding kicks in. This money goes directly into setting up and maintaining your chosen living arrangement, monitoring your safety, training support networks, and adjusting your care as your lifestyle changes.

Types of ILO Living Arrangements

There are four primary packages or living setups typically utilized under an ILO model:

1. Co-Residency:

You share your home with a chosen housemate (who may or may not have a disability) who provides an agreed level of companionship and drop-in or live-in support in exchange for free or discounted rent, or a payment.

2. Host Arrangements:

You choose to live full-time in the home of a host family or individual who provides a stable, nurturing, family-like environment, helping you build life skills and participate in the local community.

3. Living Alone with Drop-In Support:

For participants who crave complete independence. You live in your own home or apartment, and a tailored roster of professional support workers drop in at specific intervals to assist with daily tasks, personal care, or community transit.

4. Living with Family or Friends:

You remain living with your immediate family or social circle, but NDIS ILO funding is used to introduce structured formal supports, giving your informal carers a break while helping you transition toward greater self-reliance.

ILO vs. SIL vs. SDA

Many participants confuse the various NDIS home and living supports. Here is a simplified comparison matrix to help you understand where ILO fits:

Feature	Individualised Living Option (ILO)	Supported Independent Living (SIL)	Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Primary Focus	Flexible, customized lifestyle & daily support framework.	24/7 structured roster of care, usually in a shared group home.	Specialized, highly modified physical housing for extreme needs.
Housing Style	Normal residential homes, flats, or private rentals.	Group homes, villas, or shared disability housing complexes.	Homes built with specialized architectural and accessibility designs.
Level of Control	Maximum. You choose the housemates, setup, and roster.	Moderate. You fit into an existing home’s roster and ecosystem.	Specific. Based strictly on physical and sensory care limitations.

Benefits of Choosing an ILO in Perth

Opting for an Individualised Living Option opens the door to numerous lifestyle advantages:

Greater Autonomy and Self-Reliance:

You make decisions about your daily life—what time you wake up, what you eat, and how your space is styled. This builds profound personal confidence.

Stronger Community Integration:

Because ILOs are embedded within everyday Perth neighborhoods, participants generally find it easier to bond with local communities, join clubs, and build natural social circles.

Agile and Scalable Support:

If your life changes – for instance, if you start a new job or your health improves – your ILO framework can be scaled up or down without requiring a disruptive move out of your home.

Improved Emotional Well-Being:

Living in an environment that truly feels like your home directly reduces stress and elevates mental health.

How to Get Started with ILO through Achieve Disability Care

Navigating the NDIS pathway can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. As an experienced, registered NDIS service provider in Perth, Achieve Disability Care can streamline the process for you:

Check Your Eligibility:

We will look over your current NDIS plan to ensure you have—or can apply for—”Home and Living” exploratory funding.

Deep-Dive Consultation:

Our localized Perth team sits down with you, your family, and your Support Coordinator to map out exactly what your dream living situation looks like.

Build and Coordinate the Roster:

We help vet co-residents, source support teams, organize plan managers, and structure emergency back-up plans.

Submit to NDIS & Launch:

We draft the detailed service proposal for the NDIS. Once authorized, we walk beside you through the complete setup of your new independent life.

Ready to Explore Your Living Options in Western Australia

Contact the team at Achieve Disability Care today to turn your ideal home into a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between SIL and ILO?

The main difference is structure and accommodation style. Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides fixed, 24/7 rostered support inside a shared disability group home environment. An Individualised Living Option (ILO) focuses on a highly customized, flexible support framework designed around you, allowing you to choose exactly who you live with and where you live (such as a private rental, living alone, or with a host family).

Does ILO funding pay for my rent or house deposit?

No. NDIS ILO funding covers only the support services, design, and management framework required to help you live independently. It does not cover day-to-day capital or living expenses such as rent, house deposits, mortgage payments, utility bills, or groceries.

Who is eligible for an NDIS Individualised Living Option?

NDIS participants who are 18 years or older, have "Home and Living" goals in their NDIS plan, and require at least a few hours of help or daily monitoring at home are generally eligible to explore an ILO. It is best suited for individuals who want an alternative to traditional group homes.

Can I live with my partner or friends under an ILO?

Yes. One of the primary advantages of an ILO is that you have full control over your living arrangements. You can live with a partner, family members, friends, or a carefully selected co-resident while utilizing your ILO funding to bring professional support workers into the home.

How do I get ILO funding added to my NDIS plan in Western Australia?

To get ILO funding, you must first request an "Explore Home and Living" support category during your NDIS plan review or submit a Change of Details/Situations form. Working with a local registered provider like Achieve Disability Care in Perth ensures you collect the correct evidence and reports needed for NDIS approval.