A text transcript of this video can be found here.

What are the different kinds of ILOs?

These are some of the different ways people are living. The NDIS has more information about this in this link.

1. Co-residency – This means that a supportive housemate or housemates live in the home of the NDIS participant. They could live there full time or part time.
2. Host arrangement – This means another person, couple or family ‘hosts’ or welcomes the NDIS participant into their home and provides some support. The host receives funding from the person’s NDIS Plan for this support.
3. Living Alone – This means the NDIS participant lives on their own and support is provided to them in a variety of ways. Take a look at the question below called “How do I know if I am eligible?”
4. Living Together – This means the NDIS Participant living with someone else. The NDIS participant already knows the other person or they chose the person through the typical ways that housemates find each other. 

People may have a mix of these kinds of arrangements that help make things work for a long time.

For example, two NDIS participants may live together with a co-resident. Living arrangements may also be supported through a friendly neighbour. Host families may welcome someone for a shorter period of time, allowing the person a break from their main or family home. 

The NDIS calls these primary and supplementary supports. Primary means the main supporting relationship. For example, a co-residency. 

Supplementary means all the other kinds of supports that will make this successful and more likely to last. For example other hosts, mentor supports, on-call arrangements, a friendly neighbour, or paid support workers. 

The NDIS has shared some case studies to help participants understand how things can look. Click on this link to find them. They are at the bottom of the page and are called ‘Participant Scenarios’. The NDIS says in their ILO Guidelines “No two people will design their ILO the same way. Everyone has their own needs and ideas about what’s a safe and happy home.” They are called “Participant Scenarios” at the bottom

They have also shared more information about Primary and Supplementary supports.

What are the benefits of ILOs?

These arrangements mirror how many Australians live.

They allow you to work out a system of supports that is right for you, rather than have to ‘fit in’ to an existing model.

Those involved in ILO arrangements say positive relationships are at the heart of them. They talk about how life is better through the connection, participation, and a mutual sharing of lives these living arrangements can create. 

They say things like “it’s not a job, it’s more a way of life.” People with disabilities and families say things like “I didn’t want to only have paid staff in my life”. 

ILOs don’t mean that a person suddenly needs less support. They are about creating different supportive relationships than paid staff working a roster of care. 

For some people, an ILO can be the first step they take away from their family home.

How does it get funded in my NDIS plan?

There’s a lot to think about and organise with any ILO.

The NDIS can fund what is needed in two parts (these are in the NDIS Price Guide):

1. The first step is where the NDIS pays to plan what an ILO might look like for you. 

This is called Individualised Living Options – Exploration and Design. 

It is expected that exploration and design of your ILO will take a minimum of three months.

The NDIS has three different funding levels for this stage. More information about this can be found on pages 10 to 11 of their Guidelines, which can be found here.

This information is then used to prepare something called an ILO Service Proposal for the NDIS. This is where your living arrangement is described and a quote is created. This means the proposal says how much it is going to cost.  

The NDIS decides whether to fund your ILO Service Proposal based on whether it is reasonable and necessary.

The NDIS has provided more information about how reasonable and necessary relates to ILO. These are on pages 8 to 14 of their Guidelines which can be found here. It is very important to read this and think about what is needed in the ILO Service Proposal.

You can get the Service Proposal here. You can email NDIS at – ILO@ndis.gov.au 

2. The next step is to have the funding to make your ILO happen.  This is called Individualised Living Options – Supports. This can be for things like to help you to

• find support people like housemates
• work out the financial arrangements needed
• plan for your safety and for emergencies
• monitor the arrangements
• help search for your home

The funding will include:

1. Your Primary supports
2. Your Supplementary supports
3. Checking and changing the ILO (called Monitoring and Adjustment)

You can read more about this in the NDIS ILO Guidelines here.

There are also three different funding levels for ILO - Support.

Common questions about ILOs

Would you like some help from our team?

We can support you

• Phone us to talk about your housing needs on 1300 61 64 63 (Monday – Friday 10am to 3pm AEST)
• You can also send us an email at housingoptions@housinghub.org.au

Attend a free event 

To find out about the range of housing options that are available to the people you support, register to attend one of our free events.  

We will share information on many types of housing and you will have the chance to ask us your questions.