The SDA Design Standard: What It Is and How Homes Are Certified
The SDA Design Standard sets the detailed design requirements for new SDA homes in each of the four design categories. It was published in October 2019 and applies to all new and new build refurbished SDA from 1 July 2021. An accredited, independent SDA assessor certifies each home, but certification alone doesn't make it SDA: the NDIA still has to enrol it.
Which Homes Does the Design Standard Apply To?
New builds and new build refurbishments enrolled from 1 July 2021.
It doesn't apply to homes seeking enrolment as existing or legacy SDA. Those, and homes first enrolled before 1 July 2021, are measured against the minimum design requirements in the SDA pricing arrangements, based on the Silver and Platinum levels of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.
How Does Certification Work?
An accredited SDA assessor checks the home against the Standard twice.
| Stage | When | What it gives |
|---|---|---|
| Design stage | Before construction starts | More certainty that what's built will meet the Standard for the chosen category. The NDIA records the project on its design stage register. |
| Final as built | After construction | Required for every new SDA home applying to be enrolled |
The assessor has to be accredited and independent: not an employee, associate or contractor of the provider, developer or owner. The NDIA doesn't engage assessors; the developer, owner or provider does.
Looking for an SDA Home?
We'll connect you with a registered SDA provider who may have a home that suits.
How Does a Home Get Enrolled as SDA?
The registered provider applies to the NDIA through the my NDIS provider portal once the home is built.
- The provider is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- The home is built and certified at final as built stage.
- The provider applies to enrol it, with the certificate and any other documents the NDIA asks for.
- The NDIA usually processes a complete and correct application within 28 days.
Certified isn't the same as enrolled
The NDIA won't enrol a home that doesn't meet every requirement of the SDA Rules at the time of its decision, even if it has Design Standard certification or earlier feedback.
What Must Providers Keep Doing After Enrolment?
Keep the home in good repair and tell the NDIA about changes.
- Keep the dwelling in a good state of repair
- Tell the NDIA within 5 business days about changes, including a vacancy, a resident leaving or a change to the design category or building type
- Provide independent certification if the NDIA asks for it
The NDIA can cancel an enrolment if these conditions are broken, after written notice and at least 14 days for the provider to respond.
Is the Design Standard Changing?
It's under review. The NDIA engaged KPMG to review it, with consultation held from October to December 2025.
A technical working group of industry, government, allied health and housing experts is advising on the next edition. The NDIA says updates will be posted on its SDA Design Standard page. We'll update this guide when a new edition is published.
Questions People Ask
Who certifies SDA homes?
An accredited SDA assessor who is independent of the provider, developer and owner. The NDIA lists accredited assessors on its website.
Does the Design Standard apply to older SDA?
No. Existing and legacy SDA, and homes first enrolled before 1 July 2021, use the minimum design requirements in the SDA pricing arrangements instead.
How long does SDA enrolment take?
The NDIA says it usually processes complete and correct applications within 28 days, and will tell the provider if a complex application takes longer.
Keep Reading
- SDA design categoriesThe four SDA design categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support.
- SDA apartments, villas and housesThe four SDA building types: apartments, villas, duplexes and townhouses, houses and group homes.
- 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.
- For SDA and SIL providersRegistered providers with homes or vacancies to fill.
- 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.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy