Individualised Living Options (ILO): How to Access and What to Expect

When families talk to us about their hopes for the future, one theme comes up again and again:

“We want our loved one to live more independently - but safely.”

That’s exactly where Individualised Living Options (ILO) under the NDIS come in.

ILO isn’t a rigid program or a “one-size-fits-all” housing model. It’s a flexible, participant-centred approach that allows people with disability to design where and how they want to live, with the right supports wrapped around them.

But if you’re new to the idea, it can feel confusing. What does ILO actually mean in practice? What supports are included? How do you access it? And what does life really look like once ILO is in place?

Let’s explore this step by step.

What is Individualised Living Options (ILO)? ILO is about choice, control, and independence.

It gives NDIS participants the freedom to design their living arrangement in a way that works best for them. Unlike traditional housing supports, ILO isn’t tied to a fixed model. Instead, it’s built around what you want - and the supports are tailored to your life.

With ILO, participants can choose to:

• Live on their own with drop-in support.

• Share a home with a friend or housemate.

• Stay with a host family who provides day-to-day support.

• Continue living with family, but add tailored supports to build independence.

The idea is simple: everyone deserves not just a place to stay, but a home that feels truly theirs. just to provide care but to build a sense of belonging. By promoting inclusion, we create supportive environments where individuals feel valued and respected helping to create communities that thrive on compassion, diversity, and acceptance.

How is ILO Different from SIL?

This is one of the biggest points of confusion for families.

• Supported Independent Living (SIL): usually involves group homes or shared

  housing with 24/7 rostered staff. It’s structured and often less flexible.

• Individualised Living Options (ILO): is flexible and personal. Supports are

  designed around the participant’s unique lifestyle, relationships, and goals.

  Think of it this way:

• SIL is like moving into a service provider’s model.

• ILO is like building your own model, with supports designed to fit.

What Supports Does ILO Cover?

ILO is about more than just having a roof over your head. It’s about having the right supports in place so that living independently is safe, sustainable, and fulfilling.

Supports can include:

• Daily living assistance: cooking, cleaning, shopping, managing household tasks.

• Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, and medication management.

• Skill-building: learning to cook meals, use public transport, or manage money.

• Social connection: joining community activities, seeing friends, and reducing isolation.

• Safety planning: having systems in place for emergencies or unexpected situations.

• Emotional support: companionship, encouragement, and help with

  decision-making.

  The beauty of ILO is that it’s flexible - it can grow and change as the participant’s life changes.

The Two Stages of ILO

Accessing ILO happens in two main stages:

1. Exploration and Design

This is where the planning happens. The participant, their family, support coordinator, and provider sit down to map out what the ideal living arrangement looks like.

Key questions include:

• Where do you want to live?

• Who do you want to live with?

• What supports do you need, and when?

• What’s important to you in daily life (pets, privacy, hobbies, routines)?

• What does independence mean for you?

  The outcome is a detailed ILO Service Proposal, which gets submitted to the NDIS for approval.

2. Implementation

Once approved, it’s time to bring the plan to life. This can involve:

• Moving into a chosen home arrangement.

• Matching with a housemate or host family.

• Training support workers to understand the participant’s needs and preferences.

• Establishing routines, safety plans, and back-up strategies.

  ILO is not static - it’s revisited and adjusted as the participant’s needs, skills, and goals evolve.

What Can Families and Participants Expect from ILO?

ILO isn’t just about independence - it’s about creating a life that feels meaningful. Here’s what it looks like day-to-day:

• More choice and control: participants decide where and how they live, instead of fitting into a service provider’s model.

• Consistency of relationships: support is built around familiar faces and natural connections, not rotating rosters.

• Flexibility: supports can increase, decrease, or change as life circumstances change.

• Independence: participants build skills that help them manage more of their own lives.

• Belonging: the home feels like home - personal, comfortable, and chosen.

Case Studies: ILO in Action

James’ Apartment Journey

James, 27, wanted to live on his own but was nervous about the responsibilities. Through ILO, he moved into his own apartment with drop-in supports for meals, budgeting, and safety checks. Over time, he built confidence in cooking and money management. Now, James manages most tasks independently, with support just a few hours a week.

Ella & Mia’s Shared Home

Ella, 32, and Mia, 29, were friends who wanted to live together. With ILO, they were able to share an apartment. They receive support workers during the day for personal care and daily tasks, but evenings are theirs to enjoy movie nights, dinners, and laughter in their own space.

Sophie’s Host Family

Sophie, 21, wasn’t ready to live completely on her own. Through ILO, she found a host family who provided daily support and companionship. This arrangement gave Sophie a balance of independence and reassurance and over time, she’s developed the skills to transition to her own unit.

Mark’s Family-Based ILO

Mark, 19, still lives at home but wanted more independence. His ILO plan includes skill-building supports like cooking classes, travel training, and managing personal finances. His parents feel relieved knowing a safety plan is in place, while Mark gains freedom step by step.

These stories show how ILO can look different for every person — because it’s designed around them.

Benefits of ILO

ILO brings a range of benefits for participants and their families:

• Freedom of choice: live where and how you want.

• Tailored support: flexible, evolving, and designed for you.

• Natural relationships: living with friends, housemates, or hosts instead of only staff.

• Skill development: building independence gradually and sustainably.

• Family reassurance: safety and support systems are always in place.

• Quality of life: homes feel personal, not institutional.

Why ILO Matters

For participants, ILO means independence without isolation. It’s the ability to live a life that reflects their values, choices, and goals.

For families, it’s the reassurance that their loved one is supported in a safe, flexible, and dignified way.

At WellCare Support, we see ILO as more than just a funding category. It’s about helping people build lives that feel like their own. From exploration and design to implementation and ongoing support, we walk alongside families at every step - because everyone deserves to feel at home.