Moving out of home with a disability is a big step for the person with disability and for their family. It brings up a lot of questions. Is my family member ready? What housing options are available? What support will they need day to day? How does the NDIS fit into all of this?
This guide walks through the key things families need to think about when a family member with disability is getting ready to move out.
What to Look for in a Home and Support Setup
The house itself is only part of the picture. When families are looking at options, there are a few things worth paying close attention to beyond just the physical space.
Location: Is the home close to things that matter to the person? Think about proximity to family, friends, medical appointments, and any day programs or activities they are part of. Being geographically isolated can make the adjustment harder.
Accessibility: Does the home actually work for the person’s physical needs? Look at doorways, bathrooms, and flooring, and consider whether any modifications would be needed before moving in.
The support roster: Who will be there and when? Families should ask providers for a clear picture of how support is scheduled, what happens overnight if needed, and how gaps or emergencies are covered.
The people involved: If the person will be living with housemates, it is worth understanding who they are and whether the personalities and needs are likely to be compatible. A good provider will take this seriously.
Communication with the family: How will the provider keep the family informed? Knowing there is an open line of communication makes a big difference, especially in the early weeks after the move.
Understanding the NDIS Housing and Living Options
The NDIS does not pay for rent, mortgage repayments, or general living costs. What it can fund is the support a person needs to live as independently as possible in their home of choice.
The main options available through the NDIS include:
- Supported Independent Living (SIL): support workers assist with daily tasks such as personal care, cooking, cleaning, and building everyday skills. This is usually provided in a shared home or, in some cases, for people living alone with high support needs.
- Individualised Living Option (ILO): a personalised set of supports built around how the person wants to live. For example, they might live with a family friend who helps with some daily tasks, or with a housemate who provides companionship and some assistance in exchange for reduced rent.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Specialist Disability Accommodation is purpose-built housing for people with very high support needs or extreme functional challenges. SDA is not available to everyone. The NDIS assesses eligibility based on the level of functional impairment and support needs.
- Assistance with Daily Life (ADL): in-home support for people who need targeted help with daily tasks but do not need around-the-clock assistance.
- Home modifications: funded changes to a property to improve access and safety, such as ramps, grab rails, or wider doorways.
Families should keep in mind that housing choice and the support that goes with it are two separate things. A person can live in a private rental, social housing, or a shared arrangement and still receive NDIS-funded disability support at home.
How to Start the Process in Your NDIS Plan
If moving out and living more independently is something the person wants, it needs to be included in their NDIS plan. The earlier this conversation starts, the better.
Here is what the process generally looks like:
- Talk to the NDIS planner about adding a housing or independent living goal to the plan. This does not need to happen right away. It can be a goal that the person works toward over the next few years.
- Request capacity-building support to start working toward that goal. This might include occupational therapy, life skills programs, or short-term accommodation to practise living away from home.
- Fill in the NDIS Home and Living Supports Request Form ahead of the next plan review. A support coordinator can help pull together the reports and paperwork needed to support the request.
- At the plan review, discuss what funded supports are needed, such as SIL, ILO, home modifications, or in-home daily support.
- Once the plan is confirmed, find a provider that matches the person’s goals and preferences.
Starting early makes a real difference. Some housing options, particularly SDA, have long waiting lists. Getting the goal on record and the evidence together takes time, and families are better placed when they plan ahead.
Building Independence Skills Before the Move
Before the move happens, the participant can start working on everyday skills that will make life in a new home much easier. The transition to independent living goes more smoothly when this groundwork is done early, and families can play a big role in encouraging and supporting that process.
Building independence skills does not happen overnight. It is a process, and the NDIS can fund supports that make that process practical and structured.
Everyday skills to work on before the move include:
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Managing money and paying bills
- Household tasks like laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping
- Using public transport
- Understanding and communicating personal care needs
- Managing medications
A support worker or allied health professional, such as an occupational therapist, can work alongside the person to build these skills in a real setting over time. Short-term accommodation stays can also help the person practise preparing to live independently in a new environment before the permanent move.
What Families Often Worry About
It is completely normal for families to feel anxious about this step. Some of the most common concerns are:
Safety: Will my family member be safe without us there? This is something to work through with the chosen provider. Understanding the roster of support, who will be there and when, and how concerns are raised and managed is important.
The right fit: Finding the right house, the right housemates, and the right support workers matters. If possible, visit potential homes and meet the people involved before committing. Both sides need to feel comfortable before anything is agreed on.
Staying connected: Moving out does not mean cutting ties. Most families stay closely involved, visiting regularly and maintaining open communication with the provider. Families can play an active role without taking on the day-to-day care responsibilities.
What happens if needs change: NDIS plans are reviewed regularly. If a person’s needs change after the move, the plan can be adjusted to reflect that.
The Role of Disability Support at Home After the Move
Once a person has moved, disability support at home continues to play a central role in daily life. A good provider does not just assist with tasks. They work toward helping the person grow in confidence and capability over time.
Support should be responsive and built around the individual. As someone settles in and develops new skills, the level of support may shift. The goal is always to help the person live as fully and independently as possible in their own space.
Families should feel comfortable speaking with the provider about how things are going. If something is not working, it can be raised with the provider directly or through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission if needed.
What Hilda Care Offers NDIS Participants in Victoria
Hilda Care is a registered NDIS provider in Melbourne supporting participants and families across Victoria.
We specialise in Supported Independent Living and help participants develop the everyday skills they need to live independently, from personal care and meal preparation to managing routines and building confidence in a new home.
Our support workers are matched consistently to each participant so trust and familiarity can grow over time.
If your loved one is thinking about moving out and living more independently, we can help you work out what support is needed and what that looks like day to day.