Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support | 7 Easy, Smart Steps

Moving out of the family home can be a big step. You may feel excited. You may also feel nervous. Both feelings are normal. Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support can give you more independence while still giving you help with the things you find difficult.

But Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support is not only about finding a house or apartment. You also need to think about your daily routine, support needs, safety, money, transport, meals, and the people who will help you. The good news is that you do not have to plan everything at once. This guide explains the main things to think about before moving out, using simple language that is easy to understand.

What Does Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support Mean?

Moving out of home means leaving your current living arrangement and living somewhere else. For some people, this may mean moving into a shared home with other people. For others, it may mean living in their own home with support. The type of support you need will depend on your disability, daily needs, goals and NDIS plan.

The NDIS has several home and living options. These can include Supported Independent Living (SIL), Individualised Living Options (ILO), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), home modifications, and other types of support. Each option has a different purpose. This is why it is important to understand your own needs before choosing where you want to live.

1. Think About Why You Want to Move

Before looking at homes, stop and think about why you want to move. There is no right or wrong answer. Maybe you want more privacy, maybe you want to live closer to friends or family or maybe you want to learn how to manage more things on your own. You may also want to leave the family home because you feel ready for a change.

Write down your reasons. For example:

• I want more independence.
• I want my own space.
• I want to learn new skills.
• I want to live closer to work.
• I want to be closer to my friends.
• I want to make more of my own choices.
• I want to experience living away from my family.

Your reasons can help you decide what type of home and support may suit you.

Think About Your Goals

Now think about what you want to do after moving. Perhaps you want to cook your own meals and learn how to do your own laundry. You might want to catch public transport by yourself. Or you may simply want to have more control over your daily routine. Write these goals down, which can help you explain what you need when talking with your support team.

2. Understand What Help You Need

The next step is to think about the things you can do by yourself and the things where you need help. Be honest with yourself, you do not need to pretend that you can do everything alone.

Make two simple lists.

Things I can do myself

• Getting dressed
• Making a simple breakfast
• Using my phone
• Choosing my clothes
• Going for a walk

Things I need help with

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Showering
• Taking medication
• Shopping
• Managing appointments
• Using public transport
• Keeping a daily routine

Your list does not have to be perfect because it is simply a starting point. The NDIS considers a person’s disability-related needs, goals and existing supports when looking at home and living supports.

3. Learn About Your Home and Living Options

There is more than one way to live independently with NDIS support. Understanding your options when Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support can help you choose the type of living arrangement that may suit your needs.

Supported Independent Living

Supported Independent Living, or SIL, is for people who need significant help or supervision with daily life. Support may include things such as personal care, cooking, cleaning, developing daily skills and other activities. SIL is about the support you receive, not simply the building where you live.

Individualised Living Options

Individualised Living Options, or ILO, are designed around how a person wants to live. This can provide more choice around where and how a person lives and the type of support they receive.

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation, or SDA, is different again. SDA relates to specially designed housing for people who have specific housing needs because of their disability. SIL and SDA are not the same thing, but some people may have both, while others may only need one type of support.

If you are unsure which option may suit you, speak with your support coordinator, planner or another suitable NDIS professional.

4. Plan Your Daily Life Before You Move

A home is more than four walls because everybody wants their home to be comfortable. Think about what a normal day will look like after you move. For example:

Morning

• Who will help you get ready?
• Can you prepare breakfast?
• Do you need help taking medication?

Daytime

• Will you go to work, study or a day program?
• How will you travel?
• Will you need support to take part in community activities?

Evening

• Who will help you prepare dinner?
• Will you need help with cleaning?
• What do you normally do before going to bed?

Thinking about these things early can show you where you may need support. It can also help you feel less worried about the move.

Make a Simple Weekly Plan

You can write down your normal week like this:

Your week will look different from someone else and that is completely fine because the goal is to understand your routine.

5. Think Carefully About Where You Want to Live

Location can make a big difference because before choosing a home, you should think about what is nearby. For example:

• Is there a bus or train station?
• Are shops close?
• Can you easily visit your family?
• Is your workplace nearby?
• Are there parks, community centres or places you enjoy?

If you live in Sydney, travel time can also be important. A home may look perfect, but if it takes a very long time to reach the places you visit every week, it may not be the best choice.

Questions to Ask About the Home

Before agreeing to a place, ask:

• Is the home easy to access?
• Is there enough space for me?
• Will I have my own bedroom?
• How many people live there?
• Are bathrooms shared?
• Is public transport nearby?
• Are shops nearby?
• Can I have visitors?
• Is the home suitable for my disability?
• Can I visit the home before deciding?

If possible, visit the home and look around. Ask questions; most importantly, think about whether you feel comfortable there.

6. Plan Your Support Before Moving Day

One of the most important parts of moving is making sure your support is ready. You do not want to move into your new home and then discover that important support has not been organised. Talk to the people involved in your NDIS support.

This may include your:

• Support coordinator
• Plan manager
• NDIS planner
• Family member
• Support worker
• SIL provider
• Other professionals involved in your care

Explain what you need help with if you are considering SIL, and compare different providers before making your choice. This can make Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support easier to plan and help you understand what support may be available.

You may want to ask:

• Who will support me?
• What will my daily support look like?
• How will you help me become more independent?
• What happens if my usual support worker is unavailable?
• How can I raise a complaint?
• Can I meet the support workers before starting?

Taking time to ask these questions can help you feel more confident. The NDIS recommends getting to know providers and understanding the services they offer before choosing them.

7. Prepare for the Practical Things

Moving can involve many small jobs, which is easy to forget some of them so you should make a simple checklist.

Your belongings

Decide what you want to take with you. This may include:

• Clothes
• Bedding
• Towels
• Kitchen items
• Personal items
• Favourite books
• Photos
• Electronic devices
• Important documents

You do not need to move everything at once, so start with the things you use most.

Your food

Think about what you normally eat.

• Who will buy your food?
• Who will prepare meals?
• Can you cook by yourself?
• Do you need help learning how to prepare simple meals?

Meal planning can make the first few weeks much easier.

Your medication

If you take medication, make sure you know:

• What medication you take
• When you take it
• Where it is kept
• Who helps you with it
• What to do if you miss a dose

Follow the instructions given by your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional.

Your important documents

Keep important documents somewhere safe. These may include:

• Identification
• NDIS documents
• Medical information
• Emergency contacts
• Rental documents
• Service agreements
• Important phone numbers

Ask someone you trust to help you organise these if needed.

What About Money?

Moving out also means thinking about everyday living costs. Your NDIS funding is not the same as your personal living money. NDIS funding may pay for eligible disability-related supports, but it does not generally pay ordinary living costs such as rent, groceries, electricity and other everyday expenses. Understanding these costs is an important part of planning for Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support.

Make a simple list of your regular expenses. For example:

• Rent
• Electricity
• Internet
• Food
• Transport
• Phone
• Personal items
• Entertainment

Knowing these costs before moving can help you plan your budget. If you are unsure about how your NDIS funding works, ask your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIS.

What If You Feel Nervous About Moving?

Feeling nervous is normal because you will have a lot of things in your mind. You may worry about being away from your family or may wonder what will happen if something goes wrong, or you may even change your mind several times. That does not mean you are not ready. Talk about your worries with someone you trust. You can also try smaller steps before moving permanently.

For example, you could:

• Spend a night away from home
• Stay with a trusted person
• Practise cooking a meal
• Learn how to use public transport
• Practise doing your laundry
• Visit a possible home
• Meet your future support workers

Small steps can make a big change feel easier.

What Should Families Think About?

Families may also have many questions when someone moves out. They may worry about safety, support and whether the person will be okay and these concerns are understandable. But moving out can also be a chance for a person to learn new skills and make more choices.

Families can help by listening, asking questions and supporting the person’s goals. The person moving should be involved in decisions about where they live and what support they receive as much as possible because it is their home and their life.

What If Your Support Needs Change?

Your needs may not be the same forever and as time passes by, they can change. You may become more independent and need less help with some tasks. You may also need more help at another time. That is why it is useful to keep talking about your support needs.

Tell your support team when something changes. Do not wait until a small problem becomes a big one. If your circumstances or support needs change, speak with the relevant NDIS professionals about what options may be available.

A Simple Moving Checklist

Before moving, go through this list.

Before choosing a home

• Think about why you want to move
• Write down your goals
• List the things you can do yourself
• List the things you need help with
• Learn about different home and living options
• Look at different homes
• Visit the homes
• Check the location
• Ask about who you may live with

Before moving day

• Organise your support
• Understand your service agreement
• Plan your daily routine
• Organise your belongings
• Plan your meals
• Organise medication
• Prepare important documents
• Plan your budget
• Save emergency contact numbers

After moving

• Give yourself time to settle
• Speak up if something is not working
• Keep working towards your goals
• Stay connected with family and friends
• Review your routine
• Tell your support team if your needs change

Moving Out Does Not Mean Doing Everything Alone

Moving out of the family home is a big step, but living more independently does not mean you have to do everything by yourself. The right support can help you with the things you find difficult while giving you the chance to work on the things you want to do yourself. Take your time, ask questions, visit homes, talk about your goals and make sure the people supporting you understand what matters to you.

Moving Out of Home With NDIS Support should be about creating a living arrangement that feels safe, comfortable and right for you.

Looking for NDIS Support in Sydney?

If you are thinking about moving out of home and need help understanding your support options, Care Wise Connection can discuss your needs and goals with you.

We provide NDIS support designed around individual needs, including Supported Independent Living, assistance with daily living and nursing support.

You can learn more about our NDIS disability support services or contact Care Wise Connection to discuss your support needs.