Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) offers accessible housing for people with high support needs. Recognised and funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), SDA provides tailored living solutions to enhance independence and quality of life. In this guide, we’ll break down each step of the SDA process – from building your support team to securing a safe and comfortable home.
Step 1: Build your Team of Support
The first important step of the SDA process is to build a strong support team. Connecting with professionals like an NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) planner, Support Coordinator or Occupational Therapist (OT) ensures clear communication for a smoother, faster application experience.
- NDIS Planner
An NDIS Planner will work with you and your team to develop your NDIS plan. They’ll be in charge of providing information and advice along with determining how much funding you’ll receive. - Support Coordinator
A Support Coordinator helps NDIS participants understand their plan, connect with services and manage supports to meet their goals. They can help you evaluate your current supports and identify what is working and what might need adjustment, ensuring you have the right services to support your needs. - Occupational Therapist
The OT will provide you with therapy and recommendations for managing daily tasks, increase independence and improve your overall quality of life. In relation to SDA, an OT can access your home and recommend adaptations to support your needs and improve independence. This information is important when assessing SDA eligibility. - Local Area Coordinator
A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) provides support and information about the NDIS typically in the early stages of NDIS support. Their priority is to link you to not only NDIS supports but other mainstream and community support in your local area.
Step 2: Determine your SDA Needs
SDA is built within four categories: Improved Liveability (IL), Fully Accessible (FA), High Physical Support (HPS) and Robust. Each category has its own design requirements that address certain support needs differently.
To determine which SDA category is best for you, the NDIA will look at how the features of each design category would reduce your support needs. When doing so, the NDIA will look at reports from your allied health professionals, such as your OT or Support Coordinator. Having these reports ready and ensuring they accurately reflect your support needs will help the NDIA determine the most suitable SDA funding for you.
Step 3: Apply for SDA Funding
The next step is to send an application to the NDIA. You can start by sending an email to the NDIA with the following documents:
- Change of Details or Change of Situation Form – This can be found on the NDIS website under the ‘Requesting home and living supports‘ page.
- Supporting Evidence Form – Home and Living – This form can also be downloaded from the NDIS website. While it’s not required at this stage of the application, submitting it is highly recommended to help make the process faster and smoother. This form provides a general overview of your disability and support needs.
- Functional Capacity Assessment – This is a detailed evaluation of your ability to perform daily tasks. It evaluates a variety of supports (such as SDA) and how they might benefit your needs and personal goals.
Once submitted, an NDIA representative will reach out to you using your preferred contact method – whether that be by phone call, online meeting, email or in person. If you select mobile as your preferred option, you’ll receive a text message with details on when to expect their call.
This conversation, known as the Planning Meeting, is where you’ll discuss your personal circumstances, current supports, daily needs, safety requirements, goals, plan management preferences and the specific support needed to maximise your NDIS plan.
These meetings can sometimes last over an hour, so it’s a good idea to set aside enough time.
Step 4: Receive NDIS Decision
After reviewing your application, the NDIA will notify you of your NDIS SDA funding decision by your preferred method of contact you stated in your application. It will be either approved or disapproved.
| If your SDA Funding is Denied |
If your application is denied, you’ll receive a letter explaining the decision by email. If it’s not the result you hoped for, you can ask for an internal review. In certain cases, Enliven Housing may offer you a place in one of our SDA homes while you wait for an internal review outcome to come through. The NDIA will work towards completing all internal reviews starting the day after they receive your request. |
| If your SDA Funding is Approved |
You will be able to view your approval plan in the myspace portal approximately 24 hours after it’s approved. Your approval plan will have the finalised details of your support needs, SDA funding eligibility (including what SDA design category you’re eligible for) and budget. The next step from here is to look for an SDA provider. |
Step 5: Find The Right SDA Housing Provider
The next step in your journey is finding an SDA housing provider that meets your support needs and lifestyle preferences.
The most common way to search for SDA housing is online. Your NDIS plan outlines which SDA design category, building type and location you’ve been funded for, so it’s important to filter your options carefully to find a home that aligns with your eligibility.
The SDA Vacancy Finder on the NDIS website includes a detailed filter, making it easy to sort through over a thousand SDA options across Australia.
During this step, it is a good idea to attend open homes with any providers you have shortlisted. At Enliven Housing, we give you the opportunity to personally inspect any SDA homes you’re interested in. Our team is here to walk you through the features of each home, answer any questions and ensure you feel confident in your decision before moving forward.
Important Factors to Look Out For
- Choosing the Best Location
Location is a key factor when selecting SDA housing. Your home should be in an area where you can access both formal and informal supports. Beyond ensuring the location aligns with your NDIS plan, it’s important to choose a place that suits your lifestyle and daily needs. If you frequently use public transport, finding a home near transport links can be beneficial.
- Having the right SDA Design Category
If you think your support needs might change in the future, it’s a great idea to explore SDA homes that offer flexibility across multiple design categories. This way, if your support needs change, you can stay in the same home without the hassle of moving or switching to a different provider that meets your new requirements.
If your current home no longer meets your needs, you can submit a ‘Change of Details or Change of Situation Form.’ This document notifies the NDIS about any significant changes, like your support needs, that could impact your housing situation.
With Enliven’s Model, you won’t have to worry about relocating if your needs change. Most of our homes are a combination of Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible and High Physical Support designs, ensuring you can continue living comfortably in a space that adapts to your needs.
- Pet-Friendly Living
If you’ve got a furry friend, it’s a good idea to double-check that your SDA home is pet-friendly. Some providers like Enliven allow pets, so you can enjoy SDA without any sacrifices.
Step 6: Apply For Your New SDA Home
Once you’ve found an SDA provider you’re interested in, the next step is to submit an enquiry. A team member will then reach out to discuss your goals, support needs and living preferences, as well as what they can offer.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll fill out an application with your personal details, support contacts and living situation. Your provider may also arrange a Consent to Exchange Form, allowing them to access relevant NDIS details, including your SDA funding eligibility and budget.
Based on your NDIS plan, the provider will determine if they have an SDA option that suits your needs. If they do, you’ll receive a letter of offer – either verbally or in writing.
Step 7: Moving into Your New SDA Home
Before you move into SDA, you’ll need to discuss and sign two important agreements with your chosen provider: a Service Agreement and a Tenancy Agreement.
| Service Agreement | A service agreement is a written contract containing expectations and responsibilities between you and your SDA provider. It can contain details such as what supports will be provided and how much they’ll cost. This agreement helps make sure you and your SDA provider are on the same page, making everything clear and transparent.
If you require assistive technology in your home, this will be outlined in the service agreement. |
| Tenancy Agreement | A tenancy agreement is the lease you sign with your SDA provider. It is a legal contract that outlines the obligations of both you and the landlord (in this case, your SDA provider). Some of these obligations can include your tenancy start and end date along with clear outlines on what you and your landlord can and can’t do. |
When moving into disability housing, the NDIS can provide funding for supports considered ‘reasonable and necessary’ to help make your transition as smooth as possible. However, it’s important to remember that the NDIS won’t cover everyday expenses unrelated to your disability, such as moving or removalist costs.
At Enliven Housing, our dedicated Transition Team is here to support you every step of the way. We’re committed to making your SDA journey as smooth as possible and will go above and beyond to ensure you feel confident and supported throughout the process. From start to finish, we’ll be by your side, providing guidance, assistance and the resources you need.
How Long Does the SDA Process Take?
The time it takes to complete the SDA process will be different for each participant. It can vary from person to person depending on how quickly you can gather evidence, NDIS review times and the availability of SDA homes.
- Gathering Evidence
Having your documents ready and organised can help speed up the SDA process. By making sure your supporting evidence includes all the necessary information for your NDIS application, this can prevent delays and reduce the need to go back-and-forth with health professionals.
- NDIS Review Times
Once you’ve submitted your application and supporting evidence, the NDIA will review your case to determine if SDA funding is the right option for you. The NDIA aims to complete this review within 60 days of your submission. Your SDA eligibility outcome will then be communicated to you in writing.
- Availability of SDA Homes
The time frame for securing SDA housing also depends on the availability of suitable homes in your preferred location. Factors like demand, property type and any required modifications can impact how quickly you can move in. Checking with providers early and staying flexible with options can help ease this step.
At Enliven Housing, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team can help you explore your SDA options, guide you through the process and provide helpful information. Get in touch with us to see how we can help you find the right home for you!
Choose Australia’s Most Trusted SDA Housing Provider
At Enliven, we’re committed to making your SDA journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. We hope this blog has helped you better understand the SDA process.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, our SDA eligibility calculator is a great place to start. Whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to take the next step, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today and let’s make your SDA journey a reality.
