How to Set Up Wi-Fi & Technology in a New SIL House
A practical, step-by-step guide for SIL house managers — covering NBN setup, mesh Wi-Fi, two separate networks, staff devices, smart home technology, and resident tech. No IT degree required.
Moving residents into a new SIL house involves a huge amount of coordination — support rosters, service agreements, assessments, and moving logistics. Technology is often the last thing on the list. Then day one arrives, the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, staff can’t log shift notes, and residents can’t use their devices.
This guide walks you through every technology decision you need to make before — and during — setting up a new SIL house. We’ll cover what to do first, what to prioritise, and what mistakes most providers make that cost hours of frustration down the track.
What this guide covers — in order
Step 1: Get the NBN connected first
Do this 2–3 weeks before move-in — not on the day
The single biggest mistake SIL providers make is leaving NBN connection to the last minute. NBN Australia requires a technician visit for many connection types — and appointments book out 2–3 weeks in advance. If you’re not connected on move-in day, staff can’t access rostering apps, incident reporting, or participant records.
What to do before move-in
- 1 Check what NBN type is at the address — go to nbn.com.au, enter the address, and check the connection type. FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is the best. FTTN (Fibre to the Node) is slower but workable. Fixed Wireless means a dish may need installation.
- 2 Choose an NBN plan of at least 50 Mbps — for a SIL house with 3–5 residents plus staff devices, NBN 50 is the minimum. NBN 100 is recommended. Multiple people streaming, video calling, and using rostering apps simultaneously will strain a slow connection.
- 3 Book the connection at least 3 weeks before move-in — not the week before. NBN technician appointments fill up fast, especially in Melbourne’s south-east.
- 4 Test the connection before residents move in — run a speed test at nbnco.com.au. Confirm you’re getting at least 80% of your plan speed. If not, call your provider before move-in day, not after.
Which NBN providers work well for SIL houses? Aussie Broadband, Superloop, and Leaptel consistently top independent reliability rankings in Australia. Avoid very cheap plans from discount providers — reliability matters more than saving $10/month when staff depend on the connection for rostering and incident reporting.
Step 2: Set up mesh Wi-Fi for whole-house coverage
A single router won’t cover a SIL house — bedrooms always have dead spots
The standard NBN modem-router that comes with your internet plan is designed for a single-room office or a small apartment. A SIL house — with multiple bedrooms, a common area, bathrooms, and often two floors — will have Wi-Fi dead spots in almost every bedroom when using a single router. Residents and staff in back bedrooms will have little to no connection. The solution is a mesh Wi-Fi system.
What is mesh Wi-Fi, in plain English?
A mesh system uses multiple devices (called “nodes”) placed around the house that all work together as one network. Instead of one router doing all the work, you might have the main router in the lounge room, one node in the hallway, and one in the back bedroom. Every device in the house connects to whichever node gives the strongest signal — and switches automatically as people move around. One Wi-Fi name, seamless coverage, no dead spots.
How to set it up
- 1 Choose a mesh system — for a typical 3–4 bedroom SIL house, a 2-node system covers most layouts. Good options: Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro (simple app, excellent for non-technical staff), TP-Link Deco X50 (reliable, affordable), or Eero Pro (very easy setup). Budget $200–$400 for a good 2-node system.
- 2 Position the main node centrally — connect it to your NBN modem with an Ethernet cable. Place it in the lounge room or main hallway, elevated (a shelf or bookcase), away from walls, TVs, and microwaves.
- 3 Place satellite nodes halfway between the main node and dead zones — not in the dead zone itself. If bedrooms are at the back of the house, place the satellite node in the hallway, not in the back bedroom. Nodes need good signal from each other to work well.
- 4 Test coverage in every room — use the mesh app’s signal strength feature, or simply walk around with a phone doing a speed test in each room. Minimum 10 Mbps in every bedroom is a good target.
Older Melbourne homes: Brick walls, double brick, and plaster-over-wire construction (common in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs) block Wi-Fi signals dramatically more than timber-frame homes. If the house has double-brick walls, you may need 3 nodes or an Ethernet cable run to the back bedroom. Fixable can assess signal strength on-site before recommending.
Step 3: Set up two separate Wi-Fi networks
Staff network and resident network — privacy, security, and compliance
This is the step most SIL providers skip — and it creates both a privacy risk and a cybersecurity vulnerability. Every modern mesh system and most NBN routers can create two separate networks (SSIDs) from the same hardware. This costs nothing extra and takes 5 minutes to configure.
Fixable_Staff (example)
- ✓ ShiftCare / SupportAbility app
- ✓ Incident reporting platform
- ✓ Participant record access
- ✓ Staff tablets and laptops
- ✓ Security cameras (if any)
Password: Strong, 16+ characters. Only given to staff. Changed when a staff member leaves.
Fixable_Home (example)
- ✓ Resident personal devices
- ✓ Smart TVs and streaming
- ✓ Tablets and phones
- ✓ Smart speakers (Alexa/Google)
- ✓ Guest family devices
Password: Simpler and memorable — shared with residents and displayed in the house.
Why this matters for compliance: Under the NDIS Practice Standards and the Privacy Act, staff should only be able to access systems relevant to their role. If a resident’s personal device is on the same network as staff rostering systems, it creates an unnecessary security risk. Two networks eliminates this — and takes 5 minutes to set up.
Step 4: Set up staff devices
Tablets, laptops, and the apps that keep your house running
Every SIL house needs at least one dedicated shared staff device — ideally a tablet — for shift notes, incident reporting, and rostering. Personal phones are not a substitute; using personal devices for participant records creates privacy risks and makes your organisation vulnerable during audits.
What to set up on each staff device
| Software | What it does | Setup notes |
|---|---|---|
| ShiftCare | Rostering, shift notes, participant records, incident reporting | Each staff member needs their own login — never share credentials |
| SupportAbility | Case management, goals, progress notes, billing | Runs in browser — no app install needed, but test on each device |
| Brevity / CareMaster | Rostering and care coordination | Install the app and test push notifications work correctly |
| myID / PRODA portal | NDIA claims and participant plan access | Each authorised staff member needs MFA set up on myID — test this before move-in |
| Communication app | Handover notes and team communication (Microsoft Teams or similar) | Set up the house group chat and test notifications before day one |
Device settings to configure
- ✓ Screen locks after 5 minutes of inactivity — tablets left on tables in a SIL house are a privacy risk
- ✓ Connected to the staff Wi-Fi network only — not the resident network
- ✓ Automatic software updates enabled — especially for the operating system and rostering apps
- ✓ Remote wipe enabled — use Find My (iPad), Find My Device (Android), or your MDM solution. If the tablet is lost or stolen, you need to be able to erase it remotely.
Step 5: Smart home technology for independence
Tech that gives residents more control over their own environment
This is where technology genuinely changes residents’ daily lives. Smart home tech lets a resident control their lights, blinds, TV, or music without needing to ask a support worker — reducing dependency on staff for small tasks, building confidence, and freeing staff time for meaningful support. In 2026, this is considered best practice in modern SIL houses.
| Technology | Benefit for residents | NDIS funding |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 Smart speaker Amazon Echo / Google Nest |
Voice-control lights, music, timers, reminders, and calls — without using fine motor skills | May be fundable if linked to disability goals |
| 💡 Smart lighting Philips Hue / TP-Link Tapo |
Residents control bedroom lighting via voice or phone. Automated night-lights for safety. Timer-based routines. | May be fundable |
| 🪟 Motorised blinds | Cord-free operation critical for residents with limited grip, tremor, or wheelchair users who can’t reach | Often fundable as home modification AT |
| 🚪 Smart door lock | Keypad or phone-based entry supports residents who can’t use physical keys. Staff can also grant/revoke access remotely. | Often fundable |
| 📱 Medication reminder system | Automated reminders for medication times, appointments, and daily routines support independence for residents with cognitive challenges | May be fundable |
Important — consent in shared homes: Smart speakers with microphones raise privacy considerations in shared living. Voice assistants should have named accounts per resident, documented permissions, and clear agreement on when microphones are muted. Treat consent as ongoing — what one resident agrees to may not suit another housemate. Fixable can advise on privacy-respecting setup for shared environments.
Step 6: Set up resident devices and entertainment
TVs, tablets, streaming, and video calling for family connection
The common area TV and residents’ personal devices are often overlooked during move-in. Getting these right from day one means residents feel at home immediately — and family members can stay connected.
Common area
- ✓ Smart TV connected to the resident Wi-Fi network — set up Netflix, YouTube, ABC iview, and any streaming services relevant to the house. Don’t leave it on the default “no signal” screen on move-in day.
- ✓ Large font / accessibility settings configured — set text size to large on the TV and any shared devices. Turn on subtitles by default on streaming apps.
- ✓ Wi-Fi password displayed somewhere accessible — residents and visiting family members will need it. A laminated card on the fridge or near the TV is the simplest solution.
Each resident’s personal devices
- ✓ Phone, tablet, or laptop connected to the resident network — not the staff network
- ✓ Video calling set up and tested — Zoom, FaceTime, or WhatsApp configured so residents can call family on day one. Fixable sets up large-icon, simplified interfaces for residents who find technology challenging.
- ✓ Accessibility settings tailored to each resident — large text, high contrast, voice control, switch access, or screen reader enabled as appropriate to each person’s needs and plan goals
NDIS funding for resident devices: Personal devices and their setup may be fundable through a resident’s NDIS plan under Assistive Technology (if linked to disability goals) or Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living (for digital literacy training). This is separate from the facility IT costs your organisation absorbs. Speak to each resident’s Support Coordinator at move-in to identify technology goals that could be included in their next plan review.
Common problems and how to fix them
The Wi-Fi is slow in the back bedrooms even after adding a mesh node
Staff can’t log in to ShiftCare or SupportAbility on the house tablet
The NBN keeps dropping out
A smart speaker is causing discomfort for one resident
Can Fixable set all of this up before residents move in?
Need a SIL house set up before move-in?
Fixable visits your property, installs and configures everything, and has it ready before day one. NDIS Worker Screening cleared. All Melbourne suburbs. Download the free SIL Tech Checklist below to plan your setup.
Free SIL House Technology Setup Checklist
A printable step-by-step checklist covering all 6 stages above — NBN, Wi-Fi, two networks, staff devices, smart home, and resident tech. Perfect for house managers and operations teams. Download free →
About Fixable: Friendly, patient on-site IT support across all Melbourne suburbs. We specialise in helping NDIS SIL providers, support coordination firms, and plan management companies with technology — always in plain English. NDIS Worker Screening cleared. Call 0435 955 429 or visit fixable.au