SDA Guides
Plain-English guides to specialist disability accommodation (SDA) for participants, families and support coordinators. Each one is checked against the NDIA's SDA guideline and pricing arrangements, the NDIS SDA Rules and the NDIS Commission, and links to them.
SDA Explained
- What is SDA?What specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is, who it's for, the four design categories, building types, what it doesn't cover and what residents pay.
- SDA eligibilityWho is eligible for SDA funding under the NDIS: extreme functional impairment, very high support needs, the SDA needs requirement and the funding criteria.
- SDA design categoriesThe four SDA design categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support. Who each one suits, and the features each must have.
- SDA apartments, villas and housesThe four SDA building types: apartments, villas, duplexes and townhouses, houses and group homes. How the NDIA picks one, sharing, and living alone in SDA.
- How SDA funding worksHow NDIS SDA funding works: which budget it sits in, how the NDIA sets the amount, what the SDA pricing arrangements cover and how providers get paid.
- SDA rent and costsWhat SDA residents pay: the reasonable rent contribution, how the cap is worked out, board, bills, sharing a bedroom and paying extra for a higher value home.
- SDA providersWhat an SDA provider is, the rules they must follow, how they differ from your SIL provider, and what to check before you choose a registered SDA provider.
- Finding an SDA vacancyHow to find an SDA vacancy that matches your NDIS plan: the SDA Finder, support coordinators, new builds, what to check first, and what to do while you wait.
- SDA vs SILSDA vs SIL explained: SDA is the specialist home, SIL pays for support workers in it. Who funds what, who provides what, and how the two work together.
Step-by-Step Guides
- How to get SDA fundingHow to get SDA funding in an NDIS plan: the home and living goal, the evidence the NDIA wants, how to send it, what the decision covers and what if it's no.
- Questions to ask an SDA providerA checklist of questions to ask an SDA provider before you move in: the home, the housemates, rent and costs, support in the home, the agreement and repairs.
- Using the SDA FinderHow to use the NDIA's SDA Finder to search for SDA vacancies: the filters, what the listings show, what the Finder doesn't tell you, and what to do next.
- Moving into SDA: agreements and rightsWhat to sort out before moving into SDA: the service agreement, what it must cover, notice to leave, tenancy law, recording your provider and your rights.
- Waiting for SDA: medium term accommodationWhat to do while you wait for an SDA home: NDIS medium term accommodation (MTA), leaving hospital, using supports flexibly, and asking for a plan change.
- The SDA Design StandardWhat the SDA Design Standard is, which homes it applies to, how certification by an accredited SDA assessor works, and how a home gets enrolled as SDA.
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