Changes to make it easier for NDIS participants to access home and living supports, including to SIL, have been announced.

NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds said the short-and-medium term improvements will improve the home and living experience for participants and providers, “reducing red tape and a number of practical and administrative concerns participants and providers have raised”.

‘Making SIL Better’ is a commitment from the National Disability Insurance Agency to improve how the agency will deliver these supports.

Improvements include:

  • Simplifying claiming processes – introducing a simplified weekly claiming process to make it easier for participants to negotiate directly with providers about how their supports are delivered
  • Transition approaches – introducing clear and transparent transition or step-down processes for managing material changes to SIL support needs to allow a transition period to new levels of support
  • Unplanned exits payment – introducing a new SIL payment to providers for limited circumstances where a participant unexpectedly leaves shared accommodation.

The NDIA will also work with SIL providers to explore, test and inform innovative models of service delivery through Home and Living demonstration projects.

This is aimed at bringing together participants and providers to design and deliver contemporary ways for participants to pursue their Home and Living goals. MOUs for the Round 1 projects are soon to be finalised with projects expected to be implemented from April 2022.

The minister said the government is committed to the quickest possible pathway to make home and living decisions which respects a participant’s individual circumstances and often complex needs, and the NDIA will implement specific improvements to the consistency and timeliness of home and living decisions for participants.

As part of this commitment, the NDIA will commence publishing metrics specific to home and living decisions. “The agency will also provide a point of contact to explain home and living funding decisions which will provide greater clarity for participants,” she said.

The NDIA is also establishing clearer information on Individualised Living Options (ILO) for participants and providers. ILO supports participants to choose the home they live in and set up supports in the way that suits them, for example sharing home with family, friends, partners or housemates, or living with a host.

The agency is further developing the ILO pathway over the coming months to help participants with home and living goals in their plan to explore ILO as a potential option.