Individualised Living Options (ILO) is an NDIS support designed to give you practical choices over where you live, who you live with, and how your daily life is structured. It’s flexible, person-centred, and personalised around your goals rather than a fixed arrangement determined by someone else.
For many Australians with disability, ILO is the key to unlocking a living situation that truly fits their life — one that reflects their preferences, supports their independence, and grows with them over time.
If ILO sounds like the right fit, the next step is knowing how to apply. This article walks you through everything involved in the process, from understanding your eligibility and what to prepare to working with your NDIS planner and knowing what to expect at each stage. By the end, you’ll have a clear and practical picture of how to get started with confidence.
Things You Should Prepare Before Applying for Individualised Living Options Through NDIS
The primary reason why people find the ILO application process overwhelming is that most of them go unprepared. The good news is that a little groundwork goes a long way. Having the right documents and information ready from the start makes the entire process smoother, faster, and far less stressful.
Here’s the checklist of everything you need to prepare before you apply for Individualised Living Options through NDIS:
- Clear goals around housing and independent living.
- List of your daily routines, preferences, and lifestyle goals.
- Any medical or allied health reports that support your housing needs.
- Preferred living arrangement in mind.
- The completed Supporting Evidence Form (Home and Living) submitted to the NDIA.
- Input from your support coordinator or LAC to help prepare and submit your documentation.
- A description of how you would like to live, how you want to be supported, and what support you need to help you plan your ILO.
Quick Guide for the Individualised Living Options Application Through NDIS
So, what does applying for Individualised Living Options through NDIS actually look like in practice? It’s a process that moves at your pace, keeps you in the driver’s seat, and gets easier with every step — especially when you have the right provider supporting you along the way.
Here’s a breakdown of each step involved. Check them out to learn further:
Step 1: Talk to your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
The first conversation starts with your NDIS planner or LAC. Let them know you’re interested in exploring ILO as a home and living support. You’ll need to complete the Supporting Evidence Form (Home and Living). NDIA uses it to assess your daily support needs, functional capacity, and whether ILO is the right fit for you. Your support coordinator can help you fill this in, so you don’t have to do it alone.
Step 2: Complete the Exploration and Design Phase (Stage 1)
Once approved, you’ll enter Stage 1, which is the exploration and design phase. This phase is all about deciding where you want to live, who you want to live with, what support you’ll need, and who will provide it. At the end of this stage, your provider will compile everything into a Service Proposal. This is a formal document submitted to the NDIA that outlines your preferred living arrangement, your support network, and the costs involved.
Step 3: Choose the Right Provider
With a clearer picture of your goals and needs, it’s time to choose a provider who will help you bring your living arrangement to life. A good provider will guide you through the design of your support package and help you complete your Service Proposal. Beyond the paperwork, your chosen provider will help you identify the right mix of formal and informal supports, connect you with relevant resources, and make sure your proposed arrangement is realistic and sustainable before it goes to the NDIA for approval.
Step 4: Set Up Your Living Arrangement (Stage 2)
Once the NDIA approves your Service Proposal, you move into Stage 2. This is where everything you’ve planned starts to take shape. Your provider will work with you to put your ILO support in place. The initial part typically includes setting up your home environment, establishing your support network, and building the daily routines that work best for your lifestyle. At the same time, the formal agreements between you, your provider, and anyone else involved in your living arrangement will be finalised as well. From there, your provider will regularly monitor how the arrangement is working and make adjustments where needed to make sure it continues to meet your goals.
Conclusion
Applying for Individualised Living Options through NDIS is more straightforward than most people expect. As this guide shows, it’s a structured process with clear stages. At every point, there are people and resources available to support you. With the right provider by your side, each step becomes far less daunting and much more achievable.
Sublime Care currently has ILO vacancies available, and our team is ready to help. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to guide you through the process with the care, expertise, and personal attention you deserve. Reach out today and let’s get started. Email us at ndis.referral@sublimecare.com.au or call 02 4911 2380.