If you have Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Individualised Support Arrangements (ISA) in your NDIS plan, it can be confusing knowing what each one means or how they work. ISA is what Melba calls one to one support.
They’re often talked about together, but they’re actually very different things. And understanding how they fit can make a big difference in finding the right living and support setup for you.
SDA is for people who need specialist housing because of their physical disability or high support needs. This could include features like:
At Melba, Specialist Disability Accommodation is all about providing access to housing options that really work for you. We partner with developers and providers who share our mission to improve disability housing.
SIL is the day to day support you receive at home. This might include support with:
SIL can be provided in a share house with 24/7 support or tailored support in your own home.
Supported Independent Living with Melba is about providing options for you to decide on the right balance of independence and support to live your best life.
ISA is a more flexible, tailored approach to support. Instead of having support built into your living arrangement like SIL, ISA can:
For example, ISA might include:
It’s often a great option if you don’t need 24/7 assistance, but still want consistent, flexible support.
It would be unlikely you would need all three because SDA, SIL and ISA each provide a different level of support. There’s no one right combination; it’s about you choosing the best combination to live life your way.
Some common ways you might use these types of support are:
SDA + SIL
You live in a specialist house and receive regular, ongoing support there.
SIL (without SDA)
You live in a standard house but have structured, daily support.
ISA only
You live more independently, with flexible support where and when you need it.
SDA + ISA
You live in a specialist house but don’t need full time SIL, just tailored, specific support.
Which option (or options) is right for you, really depends on the level of support you need in your day to day life.
You might be suited to SIL if you:
You might be better suited to ISA if you:
You only need SDA if your house needs to be specially designed to support your safety, comfort and independence.
Think of them as building blocks, you might start with one type of support and adjust over time as your needs change. For instance, you might begin with SIL and later transition into ISA, reducing your hours as you build your independence.
Finding the right mix of support isn’t always straightforward, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. At Melba, our experienced team takes the time to understand your needs, your routine, and what matters most to you, so your support is shaped around your life.
With over 50 years of experience, we bring a depth of knowledge you can trust, with a strong focus on quality, accountability and continuous improvement, so your support evolves with you.
Most importantly, we believe that quality support isn’t optional, it’s a human right. We’re committed to creating respectful and inclusive environments where every person is treated with dignity. Behaviour that causes harm, disrespect, or mistreatment of others is never acceptable at Melba.
Share