A SIL support ratio shows how many support workers are planned for the number of participants in a home, such as 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3. Ratios are not limited to a few set options. They follow each participant’s NDIS approved funding, so some people are funded for 1:4, or for two or three workers with one person (2:1 or 3:1). Overnight, a sleepover means the worker can sleep and responds if needed, while active night means the worker stays awake. The NDIA decides what is funded.
If you are comparing homes for Supported Independent Living in Newcastle, you will see terms like “1:2”, “1:3”, “sleepover” and “active night” on almost every listing. They are rarely explained, and the ratios you see are only examples of what is possible. This post sets out what ratios mean, why they differ from person to person, how sleepover and active night differ, and what to ask before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- A support ratio shows how many support workers are planned for how many participants. The first number is workers and the second is participants.
- Ratios are not limited to 1:2 or 1:3. They follow each person’s NDIS approved funding, so you may also see 1:1, 1:4, 2:1 or 3:1.
- A ratio describes staffing. It is not a promise that a worker will stay beside one person all day.
- A ratio with fewer participants per worker is not automatically better. The right ratio depends on the supports a person needs and what the NDIA funds.
- Sleepover means the worker can sleep overnight and respond if needed. Active night means the worker is awake during normal sleeping hours.
- If your needs change, tell your provider and support coordinator early. The NDIA decides any change to funding.
- Ask for your ratio, the overnight model and the reason for it in writing before you accept a place.
What is a support ratio in a SIL home?
In Supported Independent Living (SIL), a support ratio describes how many support workers are planned for how many participants. The first number is the number of workers and the second is the number of participants. A 1:1 ratio is one worker for one participant. A 1:3 ratio is one worker for every three participants. A 2:1 ratio is two workers for one participant.
The NDIS says SIL funding is for a support worker to help or supervise participants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that it is usually claimed when housemates share supports. Its own example is a single disability support worker supporting two participants in the home. Each person is still funded individually, based on their own disability support needs.
The NDIS also says support ratios should reflect the staffing needed to provide the supports a person requires. In other words, the ratio follows the person’s needs. It is not a number chosen to suit a house. If you want more one-to-one time, SIL and ILO are worth comparing, because they organise support differently.
Are SIL support ratios always 1:2 or 1:3?
No. Ratios are based on NDIS approved funding, so they are not restricted to 1:2 or 1:3. Some people are funded for 1:1 or 1:4. Some are funded for more than one worker at a time, such as 2:1 or 3:1. Support is provided based on the funding the NDIA approves.
This is why a vacancy listing should be read as a guide, not a guarantee. A listing may show a ratio for a home, but your own funded ratio depends on your NDIS plan. Ask the provider how the two fit together. A provider cannot promise a particular ratio before the NDIA has approved funding.
What do common ratios mean day to day?
- 1:1: one worker is planned for one participant.
- 1:2, 1:3 or 1:4: one worker is planned to support two, three or four participants. In a shared home, a worker often supports more than one housemate at a time.
- 2:1 or 3:1: two or three workers are planned to support one participant at the same time, where that person’s approved funding allows for it.
With fewer participants per worker, a worker may have more time for each person at a given moment. That does not make one ratio better than another for everyone. The right ratio depends on the support a person needs, how housemates get along, and what the NDIA funds. Ask your support coordinator and the provider how the ratio fits your goals and your daily routine, not just whether the number looks high or low.
What is sleepover support?
A sleepover is when a support worker stays at home overnight and can sleep during the shift. The NDIS Commission describes a sleepover shift as eight continuous hours where the worker is required to sleep at the participant’s home. The worker is there if you need help, and may be woken to give support.
The NDIS funds sleepover support when a participant needs up to two hours of awake support overnight. Sleepover suits people whose overnight needs are occasional and fairly predictable. It does not mean the worker is awake and watching all night.
What is active night (active overnight) support?
Active overnight support is when the support worker is awake during normal sleeping hours. The NDIS funds active overnight support when a participant needs more than two hours of awake support overnight. Providers often shorten this to “active night”.
This model is used when overnight needs are regular or cannot wait until morning. Which model suits a person is worked out through their plan and the advice of their own health professionals. A provider should not decide it alone.
Sleepover and active night at a glance
| Question | Sleepover | Active night |
|---|---|---|
| Is the worker awake? | The worker can sleep and responds when needed | The worker is awake during normal sleeping hours |
| How much awake support does the NDIS expect? | Up to two hours overnight | More than two hours overnight |
| Typical shift | Eight continuous hours at the home | Rostered awake hours |
| Who decides what is funded? | The NDIA | The NDIA |
Both models still give you 24/7 cover. They differ in how awake the worker is during the night and in how the support is funded.
Not sure which ratio or overnight model applies to you? Our team can explain how ratios and overnight support work in our homes, in plain language. Prefer to talk? Call 1800 716 697. |
What if my support needs change?
Needs can change over time. NDIS Commission guidance says that if a participant’s needs change and workers are required to be awake for more than two hours a night, the provider should talk to the NDIA about the participant’s SIL funding. It also says providers should keep an eye on sleep patterns and involve professionals, such as an occupational therapist, when night-time needs shift.
In practice, tell your provider and your support coordinator as soon as you notice a change, such as more night-time waking. Keep a simple note of what is happening. Whether any funding changes is the NDIA’s decision, and your provider cannot promise an outcome. Reading about NDIS funding can help you prepare for those conversations.
Where does the roster of care fit in?
A roster of care is a sketch of a typical week of supports in a home. The NDIS describes it as an optional planning tool that providers do not have to submit to the NDIA. It is not the exact schedule of supports you will receive, and it can show how housemates share supports. If a provider uses one, ask to see it and have it explained in plain language.
How to read the ratio and overnight details on a vacancy listing
Each of our home vacancy pages lists the support ratio and the overnight arrangement for that home, and they differ from one home to the next. A listing might read “1:3 with overnight sleepover” or mention active night support depending on funding. Use the definitions above to read each line, then ask how the listed ratio relates to the support funded in your own plan, and whether it is the same during the day, in the evening and overnight.
You can browse current SIL vacancies, or read our guide to SIL home vacancies for what to check on a visit.
Questions to ask any SIL provider
- What is the support ratio in this home, and how does it relate to the ratio funded in my plan?
- Is the ratio the same during the day, in the evening and overnight?
- Is overnight support sleepover or active night, and why was that model chosen?
- How many people live here, and how are shared supports organised?
- Who works overnight, and will I get to know them?
- How do I get help in the night, and what happens if I press the call button?
- What happens if my support needs change, and who talks to the NDIA?
- Can I see the roster of care, and will someone explain it to me?
- How are staff checked and trained before they work here? Our post on how staff are screened explains the checks.
- What happens if I am unhappy with the support I receive? Our complaints and feedback process explains how we respond.
This list also works for comparing providers. Our guide on how to choose a disability support provider has more questions to take to a first meeting.
Want these questions answered for a specific home? Tell us which home you are considering and we will talk you through its ratio and overnight arrangement. Call 1800 716 697 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. |
Talk to us about SIL in the Hunter Region
Solid Holistic Care is a registered NDIS provider in Newcastle offering SIL, Respite Care, Dementia Care and Disability Support across Lake Macquarie and Maitland.
If you would like to talk through ratios, overnight support or a current vacancy, complete our Expression of Interest form. You can also call 1800 716 697 or email enquiries@solidholisticcare.com.au. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
FAQs
What does a 1:3 support ratio mean in the NDIS?
It means one support worker is planned for every three participants in a home. It describes staffing for the household. It is not a guarantee that a worker is with one person at all times. The supports funded for each participant are decided by the NDIA.
Are SIL support ratios only 1:2 or 1:3?
No. Ratios are based on each participant’s NDIS approved funding, so they are not limited to 1:2 or 1:3. Some people are funded for 1:1 or 1:4, and some for more than one worker at a time, such as 2:1 or 3:1. Support is provided based on the funding the NDIA approves.
What does a 2:1 support ratio mean?
It means two support workers are planned for one participant at the same time. The first number is workers and the second is participants, so 2:1 is not the same as 1:2. Whether a participant is funded for it depends on their NDIS approved funding.
Is a sleepover worker awake all night?
No. A sleepover worker is at the home overnight and can sleep, but responds if you need help. The NDIS funds sleepover support when up to two hours of awake support is needed overnight. If you need more than that, active overnight support may be considered.
What is the difference between sleepover and active night?
On a sleepover the worker can sleep and gets up when needed. On active night the worker stays awake during normal sleeping hours. The NDIS funds active overnight support when a participant needs more than two hours of awake support overnight.
Can my overnight support change later?
Needs can change. If workers are needed awake for more than two hours a night, the provider should talk to the NDIA about your SIL funding. Tell your provider and support coordinator early. The NDIA makes the decision, and no provider can promise a result.
Does a lower ratio mean better support?
Not necessarily. Fewer participants per worker is not automatically better for everyone. The right ratio depends on the supports you need, your goals, your housemates and what the NDIA funds. Ask the provider how the ratio works in practice across the day and night.
Where can I see the ratio for your homes?
Each home vacancy page lists its support ratio and overnight arrangement. Details vary from home to home, and your own funded ratio depends on your NDIS plan, so check the listing for the home you are interested in and ask us to explain anything that is unclear.