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Individualised Living Options (ILO) give people with disabilities genuine choice and control over where and how they live. Unlike traditional group homes, ILO focuses on you—your lifestyle, your goals, and the kind of home environment that helps you thrive.

At CareX Australia, we believe that disability support should never be one-size-fits-all. This guide explains everything you need to know about ILO, how it works, the benefits, and how our team supports you to build a living arrangement that feels safe, empowering, and truly your own.

⭐ A Simple Guide to Choosing Where and How You Want to Live

Choosing a home is one of the biggest decisions in life. For people with disabilities, the right living setup can mean:

• More independence
• A stronger sense of belonging
• Better emotional and physical wellbeing
• Greater community participation
• Increased confidence and autonomy

But when a living situation does not fit someone’s needs, it can cause stress, isolation, and daily challenges that impact mental health and quality of life.

That is why CareX Australia supports people to make informed, personalised decisions—so every individual can live in a place where they feel respected, supported, and at home.

🔍 What Is Individualised Living Options (ILO)?

Definition & Key Principles

Individualised Living Options (ILO) are flexible, customised living arrangements funded by the NDIS. They are designed around the people:

• Needs
• Preferences
• Strengths
• Cultural identity
• Lifestyle
• Long-term goals

ILO does not prescribe a type of home. Instead, it creates a support structure that makes any chosen living arrangement safe, sustainable, and tailored.

This may include:

• Living alone with supports
• Living with family
• Living with a chosen housemate
• Living in a host home
• Blended formal and informal support

At its core, ILO puts the person in charge—their voice, their goals, and their choices shape the entire plan.

🆚 How ILO Differs from Other Living Arrangements

Many traditional accommodation models—like group homes or SIL—require the individual to adapt to existing rules, routines, and staff structures.

ILO is the opposite.

ILO is:

• Person-led
• Custom-built
• Flexible
• Focused on long-term independence
• Designed around relationships, community, and chosen supports

ILO is NOT:

• A specific building
• A shared group home
• A fixed roster of staff
• A locked-in model

ILO allows the person to design their ideal living environment, including who lives with them, how supports are delivered, and what home life looks like day to day.

🏛️ The NDIS Role in Supporting ILO

The NDIS funds ILO to help people live independently and safely in the home of their choice. This includes:

• Stage 1: Exploration & Design
  Understanding preferences, strengths, support needs, risks, and what a good life at home looks like.
• Stage 2: ILO Support Package
  Funding for the supports needed to keep the arrangement safe and sustainable long-term.

NDIS ILO funding may cover:

• Personal care
• Daily living support
• Support workers or housemates
• Skills building
• Community engagement
• Overnight support (if needed)
• Assistance with decision-making
• Monitoring & adjusting the arrangement

It does not cover rent or the physical home itself but ensures the person gets the supports they need to live their way.

🌟 Benefits of Individualised Living Options

1. Complete Customisation & Flexibility

ILO supports are built from scratch to match the person’s life, not the other way around. You can choose:

• Your home
• Who you live with
• Your routines
• Your support workers
• The role of family & friends
• How much support you want

2. Greater Independence & Control

ILO helps people take charge of their lives by:

• Making their own decisions
• Managing daily routines
• Developing new skills
• Building confidence
• Becoming more self-reliant

3. Better Quality of Life

A personalised home environment leads to:

• Increased happiness
• Stronger social connections
• Less stress
• Better emotional wellbeing
• A sense of belonging

Living in a place that feels right isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for a fulfilling life.

🏡 Types of ILO Arrangements

1. Living Alone with Support

Perfect for people who want independence with regular support for daily tasks such as:

• Cooking
• Personal care
• Cleaning
• Medication
• Budgeting

2. Living with Family or Friends

A familiar, supportive environment where family or friends play a key role in day-to-day life. CareX can add formal supports around the informal ones to fill any gaps.

3. Co-Residency with a Chosen Housemate

Live with a trusted housemate who offers companionship and some support. They may be a friend, a support worker, or someone carefully matched for compatibility.

4. Host Living Arrangement

Live with a host family who provides a nurturing, home-like environment. This option suits people who want connection, stability, and belonging.

🚀 How to Get Started with ILO

1. Check Eligibility

If you are a NDIS participant with support needs related to living independently, you may be eligible for ILO.

2. Request ILO Funding in Your Plan

CareX Australia can help you prepare evidence, goals, and reports for your plan review.

3. Begin ILO Exploration & Design

Together, we explore your ideal living arrangement, safety needs, risks, support mix, and preferences.

4. Submit an ILO Service Proposal to the NDIS

CareX prepares a detailed, professional proposal outlining your supports, roster, and home model.

5. Implement & Monitor Your ILO

Once approved, your supports begin—flexible, sustainable, personalised.

🤝 Types of Support Offered in an ILO (CareX Australia)

ILO can include a mix of supports such as:

• Daily living assistance
• Cooking & housekeeping
• Health & medication support
• Community participation
• Help with appointments
• Travel or transport training
• Budgeting & life skills
• Emotional & social support
• Overnight or on-call supports

Every support plan is built around the person's goals and comfort level.

🧭 How CareX Australia Helps You Plan Your ILO

CareX specialises in developing safe, sustainable, person-led ILO plans.

Our process includes:

✔ Understanding your goals, strengths & lifestyle

✔ Mapping your natural supports (family, friends, community)

✔ Designing flexible formal support options

✔ Matching you with the right workers or housemates

✔ Creating a clear vision of what “home” should look like

✔ Preparing all NDIS documentation & reports

✔ Implementing supports once approved

✔ Ongoing monitoring & adjustment

You can choose CareX for:

• ILO Planning only
• ILO Support Delivery only
• Or both

Your choice—your control.

📞 How to Access CareX Australia's ILO Services

Getting started is simple:

1. Contact CareX Australia

Reach out via phone, website, or your nearest office. Our team responds quickly with support options available in your area.

2. Tell Us What You Want

We discuss your needs, preferences, goals, cultural considerations, and what “the right home” looks like for you.

3. Begin Your Personalised ILO Journey

We guide you step-by-step—design, planning, approval, and implementation.

Ready to create a living arrangement that finally feels right?

🏁 Conclusion

Individualised Living Options (ILO) empower people with disabilities to live in a home that truly reflects who they are. Providers like CareX Australia play a crucial role in transforming these goals into real, sustainable living arrangements.

By focusing on independence, choice, connection, and personalised supports, CareX helps people:

• Build confidence
• Strengthen independence
• Live in safe, meaningful homes
• Thrive in their chosen communities

At CareX Australia, we do not just create living arrangements—we help people build lives they love.

FAQs for ILO 

1. What are Individualised Living Options (ILO) under the NDIS?

Individualised Living Options (ILO) are personalised living arrangements funded by the NDIS to help people with disabilities choose where and how they live. Instead of a fixed housing model, ILO supports are designed around the individual’s needs, goals, culture, and lifestyle. This may include living alone, with family, with a chosen housemate, or with a host family. CareX Australia helps participants design, implement, and review ILO plans tailored to their ideal home life.

2. How do I know if I am eligible for ILO funding?

You may be eligible for ILO if you are a NDIS participant who requires support to live safely and independently in your preferred home environment. Eligibility is usually based on your goals, daily support needs, and whether ILO is a reasonable and necessary option for you. CareX Australia can help you prepare the right evidence, explore your home goals, and request ILO funding in your NDIS plan.

3. What support does CareX Australia provide for ILO arrangements?

CareX Australia offers complete ILO support, including exploration and design, plan development, NDIS proposal preparation, support coordination, matching with the right workers or housemates, and ongoing monitoring. We help create safe, flexible, person-led living arrangements that promote independence, community connection, and long-term wellbeing.