Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Accommodation

Purpose built housing for complex needs

Specialist Disability Accommodation, or SDA, is housing specifically designed or modified for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Only a small percentage of NDIS participants are eligible.

SDA is about the building itself. The accommodation includes features that reduce the need for support or make support delivery safer and more effective. Wider doorways, ceiling hoists, step free access, smart home technology, and robust building materials.

Who is eligible for SDA

You need to have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. You need to demonstrate that specialist housing would reduce the cost of support or that standard housing is not suitable due to your disability. Our team can help you understand the criteria and prepare an application.

SDA categories

Properties fall into design categories: Improved Liveability for sensory, intellectual, or cognitive disabilities. Fully Accessible for wheelchair users and significant physical needs. Robust with reinforced materials. High Physical Support with the highest accessibility plus assistive technology.

How we support SDA access

Our team helps with understanding eligibility, preparing funding requests, searching for available properties, coordinating SDA and SIL arrangements, and managing the transition into SDA housing. We work with SDA property owners across our service areas.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

SDA eligibility is based on severity of disability and functional support needs. Generally, you need extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Our team can help you assess eligibility and prepare an application.

You can express a preference, and the NDIS considers this alongside availability. SDA supply is limited in some areas, so finding your preferred location may take time. We will work with you to find the best option.

SDA is a specific type of housing with built in accessibility features. Group homes are shared living arrangements that may or may not be SDA. You can live in SDA with housemates as part of SIL, or alone or with one other person.