Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is one of the most important housing supports available under the NDIS. But what is it exactly, and who can access it? In this article, we break down what SDA means, the eligibility requirements, and how it supports people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
SDA refers to specially designed or modified housing for NDIS participants who:
- Have extreme functional impairment, or
- Very high support needs
It’s not the support services themselves (like personal care or daily assistance) — SDA funding covers the bricks and mortar: the cost of the home, its design features, and accessibility modifications.
SDA properties are built to meet specific design standards, including:
- Improved Liveability
- Fully Accessible
- Robust
- High Physical Support
Each design category addresses different accessibility or behavioral support needs.
What Does SDA Funding Cover?
SDA funding pays for:
- The capital cost of the home (not rent or personal supports)
- Specialist design features like wider doorways, hoists, automation, reinforced walls, etc.
- Shared or individual dwellings, depending on the participant’s needs
SDA does not include:
- Support staff (covered under SIL, ILO, or other supports)
- Utilities or day-to-day living expenses
Participants typically still pay a reasonable rent contribution from their disability support pension.
Who is Eligible for SDA
SDA is only available to a small percentage of NDIS participants. To be eligible, participants must demonstrate:
- Extreme functional impairment (e.g. profound mobility, sensory, cognitive, or behavioural needs)
- Very high support needs (that cannot be met in mainstream housing even with supports)
- A need for purpose-built housing that is reasonable and necessary under the NDIS Act
Eligibility is assessed through:
- Functional assessments (by OTs or other allied health professionals)
- Supporting evidence from support coordinators, behaviour practitioners, or therapists
- A formal SDA Housing Assessment and Supporting Evidence Form – Home and Living
SDA Eligibility vs. SIL or ILO
It’s important to know:
- SDA = housing
- SIL = staff support
- ILO = flexible living support in your chosen home
Participants can receive SDA + SIL together, or have SDA with other support models (e.g. ILO). Being eligible for SDA does not automatically mean you get SIL funding — and vice versa.
How Many People Use SDA?
As of late 2024, only around 6% of NDIS participants nationwide receive SDA funding. In WA, over 70% of participants eligible for SDA are not yet living in SDA homes, either due to supply, process delays, or personal preferences.
This shows why understanding eligibility and starting the process early is so important.
How to Apply for SDA
To access SDA, you must:
- Work with an allied health professional to complete a SDA Housing Assessment
- Submit a Supporting Evidence Form – Home and Living with supporting reports
- Align the request with your NDIS goals and functional needs
- Have your request reviewed by the NDIA (usually with input from planners and clinical advisors)
You may also need input from:
- A support coordinator
- A behaviour support practitioner (if applicable)
- Your existing service providers
How Adelphi Living Supports SDA Participants
While Adelphi Living is not an SDA housing provider, we work closely with SDA partners to match eligible participants to suitable homes. We then provide SIL support within those homes.
We support participants with:
- Understanding SDA eligibility
- Coordinating assessments and reports
- Referrals to registered SDA housing providers
- Transition planning and housemate matching
- Delivering 24/7 SIL within SDA homes across WA
We are also expanding services to regional areas like Kalgoorlie, where SDA supply remains limited.