Waiting for SDA: Medium Term Accommodation and Other Options
If SDA is in the plan but no suitable home is available yet, the NDIA keeps the SDA budget in the plan and there are options while you wait. Medium term accommodation (MTA) can fund somewhere to live for up to 90 days in specific situations, such as waiting for an SDA home that isn't ready or leaving hospital. Other supports can also be used flexibly in the meantime.
What Is Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
NDIS funding to live somewhere for up to 3 months, or 90 days, in specific circumstances.
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Your long-term home isn't ready | You've found an SDA vacancy but it won't be ready for another month |
| Your home is being modified | You're waiting on bathroom modifications so you can use it |
| Leaving hospital | You're eligible for SDA, SIL, individualised living options or home modifications. You don't need a confirmed long-term home. |
| Leaving the justice system | You're eligible for SDA and waiting for a vacancy |
What Doesn't MTA Cover?
It covers the cost of the accommodation only.
- Food, internet, electricity and other living costs
- Personal care, which is funded separately if you need it
- Emergency or short-term accommodation. MTA isn't emergency housing.
MTA is a one-off support, because you probably won't need it again once you've moved into your long-term home. You keep using the rest of your plan for your other approved supports while you're in MTA.
Looking for an SDA Home?
We'll connect you with a registered SDA provider who may have a home that suits.
What Else Can You Do While You Wait?
The NDIA's SDA guideline lists several options.
- Talk to your support coordinator or local area coordinator about somewhere else to live in the meantime
- Use your other NDIS supports flexibly in the short term, or ask for additional supports so you can stay in your current home
- Ask the NDIA to reassess your plan if your support needs have changed
- Keep looking: check the SDA Finder, contact providers about homes being built, and tell providers the design category, building type and location in your plan
The NDIA also shares SDA demand data with providers, so they can see where people need SDA homes.
What Should You Do When a Home Comes Up?
Visit it, check it meets the person's needs, and tell the NDIA once you've found one.
The NDIA adds the funding when you let it know you've found a suitable SDA home, and you can use it from when you move in. Our guide to moving into SDA covers the agreements to sort out first.
Questions People Ask
How long can I stay in medium term accommodation?
Up to 3 months, or 90 days.
Can I get MTA if I'm in hospital and don't have a home lined up?
Yes, if you're eligible for SDA, SIL, individualised living options or home modifications. The NDIA says you don't need a confirmed long-term home to get MTA when leaving hospital.
Does MTA pay for food and bills?
No. MTA only covers the cost of the accommodation.
Will I lose my SDA funding if I can't find a home?
No. The NDIA keeps the SDA budget details in your plan while you look, and generally won't remove SDA funding unless you ask.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an SDA provider, and what happens to your details.
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