FAQ

To qualify for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing, you need to be an NDIS participant with a permanent disability and have very high support needs that necessitate specialized disability housing. When assessing eligibility, the NDIA applies certain initial criteria.

The SDA support should:

• Assist the participant in achieving their goals and aspirations.

• Enable the participant's social and economic involvement.

• Offer value for money compared to alternative supports.

• Adhere to good practices and likely benefit the participant.

• Take into account what is reasonable for parents, carers, informal networks, and the community to provide.

• Be most appropriately funded through the NDIS.
   

Ultimately, the NDIA will determine your eligibility based on your individual application and circumstances.

To obtain SDA funding, you must first be registered as an NDIS participant and then apply to the NDIA to have it incorporated as part of your Capital Supports in your NDIS plan.

Typically, SDA eligibility is evaluated during existing plan reviews. You'll need to submit a change of circumstances application, which involves a thorough process where you must address each assessment criteria.

It's not necessary to have a specific property in mind when testing for SDA eligibility. You can secure SDA funding in your plan for future use, which can be crucial if the health of the person with a disability, or their caregivers, deteriorates.

​

Here are the five steps to securing SDA funding in your NDIS plan:

1. Seek funding and assistance to explore housing options, with support from a Support Provider and Allied Health worker.

2. Develop a housing goal tailored to your needs and preferences.

3. Create a life vision that aligns with your housing goals.

4. Undergo an assessment for SDA eligibility.

5. Submit the SDA summary and evidence (SDA Housing Plan) to the NDIA for review.

SDA funding is calculated based on a formula that considers your disability support pension and any Commonwealth Rental Assistance you receive. The maximum rent contribution you can be charged is 25% of your disability support pension plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rental Assistance. Typically, this amount is much lower than market rent. The remaining balance of the rent is covered by the NDIS through your SDA housing funding included in your plan. SDA Made Simple: Calculate Your Costs in Minutes

No, your rent does not cover all your living costs. Specifically, it does not include the costs associated with in-home support, such as Supported Independent Living services, which provide you with care and assistance. Additionally, your rent does not cover daily living expenses like groceries and utility bills.​

It's best to apply for SDA housing well in advance, as the process can be lengthy and involves NDIA approval to include SDA in your NDIS plan. Typically, the application is thorough, and you may need to wait until your annual plan review for it to be considered.

You don't necessarily need to have a specific SDA property in mind to check your eligibility. SDA can be included in your plan for future use.

Consider applying for SDA and assessing your eligibility if:
You're planning to move out of your parents' home.
Your current housing situation poses risks to you or your caregivers.
You're living with aging parents.
You're in a group home and wish or need to leave.
You're stuck in the hospital without access to suitable housing.
You're residing in residential aged care.

Since it can take up to 12 months to include SDA in an NDIS plan, it's advisable to start the process early.

The costs associated with specialist disability accommodation (SDA) are covered through a combination of funding sources. NDIS participants contribute to their SDA accommodation by paying rent, as well as for Supported Independent Living (SIL) services and other living expenses.

Taxpayers provide a subsidy for SDA costs through NDIS payments allocated to individuals with disabilities.

Rent payments are drawn from the SDA funding included in a person's NDIS plan. They may be asked to make a "reasonable rent contribution," which is limited to 25% of their disability support pension, plus any Commonwealth Rental Assistance they receive.

The expenses related to SIL services are funded separately from a designated pool of funding within the individual's NDIS plan.

​Following the NDIS principles of choice and control, SDA funding is allocated directly to the individual with a disability as part of their Capital Supports in their NDIS plan.