Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA) are specially designed homes built to accommodate individuals with high support needs. It is one of many available support options, which is why the NDIS has created an eligibility criteria to ensure SDA is the right fit for your needs.
In 2024, there were 14,688 Australians living in SDA, with that number expected to rise to 30,000 by 2032. As demand increases, so does the importance of understanding SDA eligibility. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or preparing an application, knowing the SDA NDIS eligibility criteria is key to securing the right outcome and support.
What are the NDIS Eligibility Requirements?
The first requirement the NDIA will look for is if you’re an existing NDIS participant. This is, if you’re already registered with the NDIS. If you aren’t, the first step would be to apply to become an NDIS participant. To be eligible for NDIS support, you must tick the following criteria.
NDIS Eligibility Assessment Checklist:
- You must be under 65 years of age
- You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- You must be living in Australia
- Your support needs are caused by a permanent impairment
- You often need disability related support to carry out daily life activities
- You need disability-related support to improve, maintain or prevent your functional capacity from getting worse
What are the SDA Housing Eligibility Requirements?
The NDIS will fund SDA if it’s the best option for your support needs when compared to other supports alone. To determine this, the NDIS has created an SDA eligibility criteria.
According to the NDIS, you may be eligible for SDA if:
- You have an extreme functional impairment
This is if you require lots of support from someone else to complete daily tasks related to mobility, self-care and self-management.
OR
- You have very high support needs
This means you require one-on-one assistance for most of the day. It also indicates that your informal support network (such as friends or family) is unable to provide this level of care. Additionally, SDA must play a role in reducing safety risks for you or those around you.
Apart from this, participants eligible for SDA must also meet the SDA needs requirement and the NDIS funding criteria.
SDA Needs Requirements
To be considered for SDA funding, you’ll need to go through an NDIS SDA eligibility assessment. As part of this process, the NDIA will determine whether SDA is the right support for you based on how well you meet the needs criteria – think of it like a checklist for SDA eligibility.
According to the NDIA, SDA is considered necessary if it help you to:
- Improve, maintain or prevent your functional capacity from getting worse
- Lower the amount of support you’ll need in the future
- Build stronger connections with both informal supports (like family and friends) and formal supports (like health services)
If you believe living in an SDA home would help you achieve these outcomes, you may be eligible for NDIS SDA funding.
NDIS Funding Criteria
| NDIS Funding Criteria | Example |
| SDA is used to support your disability needs and nothing else unrelated. | If you require wheelchair-accessible housing due to limited mobility, SDA funding can cover a home with wider doorways and ramps. However, if your partner wishes to live with you, they will need to pay rent directly to the SDA provider. |
| SDA will help you achieve the goals, objectives, and aspirations in your NDIS plan | If your NDIS goal is to live independently, SDA can provide a home designed to support that, such as an apartment with assistive technology. |
| SDA will help you participate in social and economic activities | If you want to work or study but need accessible housing near public transport, SDA can support that by funding a home in a well-connected area. |
| SDA is good value for money. This means that the cost of SDA is worth the benefits you’re receiving | Instead of paying for round-the-clock in-home support, SDA might fund a fully accessible apartment, reducing long-term costs and providing better support. |
| The support you’ll be receiving from SDA is one that your family, friends and community can’t provide. | If your family home is not wheelchair accessible and can’t be modified, SDA can provide a purpose-built home to meet your needs. |
| SDA will be effective and truly beneficial for your needs. | If you need a home with ceiling hoists and smart technology for independence, SDA ensures you live in a space that meets those specific needs. |
| Is the support an NDIS support for you? | If the support helps you directly and meets your individual support needs – rather than supporting your family or disability support workers – the NDIS may consider it reasonable and necessary. |
When reviewing your funding eligibility, the NDIS assessor will look at these factors to decide if SDA funding is the right fit for your needs. They may also explore other types of support that might work better for you. If that happens, they’ll discuss it with you and your support team.
Understanding SDA Eligibility and Design Categories
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is built within four categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, High Physical Support and Robust. Each of these categories contain specific design features, creating a home customised to support your unique needs. When accessing eligibility, the NDIA will look at how the features of each design category would reduce your support needs.
Improved Liveability
You’re most likely to be eligible for Improved Liveability (IL) SDA if you have a sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment. The design features of this category are catered to assist you navigate around and promote overall safety and comfort. Some of the design requirements of IL include:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Improved wayfinding
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Task lighting
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Contrasting walls and doors
Fully Accessible
Fully Accessible (FA) SDA includes design features that focus on providing better mobility. Individuals who are eligible for this category, will most likely have a high physical impairment that requires them to use a wheelchair or other type of mobility aid. To promote accessibility, some of the design features of FA SDA are:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wider doorways and corridors
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Flat flooring (step-free)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Open-plan layouts
High Physical Support
If you have a high physical impairment and require a lot of support for daily activities, you might be eligible for High Physical Support (HPS) SDA. Similar to the FA, this category focuses on improving mobility in your home. There are also additional requirements such as:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Pre-installed cabling for future automation
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Window cabling for automated blinds
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hoist-ready bedrooms
Robust
The Robust SDA design category caters to individuals with disability such as autism, mental health conditions and other psycho-social disorders. When assessing eligibility, Robust SDA might be a good funding option if you require a home that prevents injury, neighbourhood disturbances and the need for frequent maintenance. Some Robust design features that assist with that include:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Windows must be made of shatter-free material such as laminated glass or polycarbonate
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kitchen benchtop and cabinetry shall be made of robust materials
SDA Eligibility: FAQs
Who Can Provide Evidence of Your SDA Eligibility?
When applying for SDA funding, the NDIA requires evidence to support your application. This may include a Supporting Evidence Form, Functional Capacity Assessment or other health reports. These documents should be completed by a qualified health professional relevant to your impairment, such as a general practitioner, occupational therapist, neurologist, psychologist or physiotherapist. The specific professional you’ll need depends on your disability and support needs.
What Must the Evidence Explain?
When applying for SDA funding, you’ll need to provide documents and reports as supporting evidence. These reports help assessors determine whether SDA is suitable for your support needs. They should clearly explain the following:
- Your daily support needs and how often you require assistance.
- A description of your functional capacity and how it impacts your daily life and housing requirements.
- Other support options you’ve tried in the past, their effectiveness and why they may not have met your needs.
How is SDA Funding Eligibility Assessed?
Once you’ve submitted your application, an NDIS Assessor will have a look. The role of an NDIS Assessor is to review your support needs and make a decision regarding your SDA funding eligibility. In the process, they may ask for additional evidence or reach out to either you or your support worker for additional information. The NDIA aims to complete this review within 60 days of your submission.
Benefits of Enliven Housing
Appeals Program
Navigating NDIS SDA eligibility is not always straightforward. There are lots of steps and processes in showing the NDIA why SDA is the best option for you. That’s why we’ve created our Appeals Program to guide and support you through this unique journey. If your initial application isn’t approved, we’ll work with you to explore your options and help demonstrate why SDA is the right fit for your needs. In some cases, we can also offer an interim lease while we support you in securing the correct SDA funding.
Choice Collective
With Enliven, you have the opportunity to be part of the Choice Collective. It’s a unique governance framework designed to build relationships and help you share supports with others in your building. By being part of a Choice Collective, you can make the most of your SDA NDIS funding. This supportive model enhances not only how you live, but also how you manage your supports. It gives you more choice, control and connection in your independent living journey.
Choose Australia’s Most Trusted SDA Housing Provider
Understanding NDIS eligibility is an important step in identifying the supports available to you. SDA isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – it includes a range of design categories and housing models within the NDIS, and your eligibility may apply to only certain types.
At Enliven Housing, we’re here to help you navigate these options. Our friendly team will support you throughout your entire journey – from understanding your NDIS SDA eligibility to helping you settle into a home that supports your independence and well-being.
If you’re curious about eligibility, our quick and easy SDA Eligibility Calculator can guide you in the right direction – it takes less than 60 seconds. At Enliven Housing, we provide SDA homes across NSW, VIC, ACT, WA, SA and QLD. If you’re ready to explore your eligibility or want support understanding the process, get in touch or send us an enquiry to start your SDA journey today.
