SDA Vacancies: How to Find a Home That Matches Your Plan
To find an SDA vacancy, start with the design category, building type and location in the NDIS plan, then search the NDIA's SDA Finder, ask a support coordinator, and contact registered SDA providers directly. Not every vacancy is listed on the SDA Finder. You can also tell us what you need and we'll pass it to a registered SDA provider with a home that may suit.
What Do You Need Before You Start Looking?
The three details in the plan that every SDA provider will ask about.
| Detail | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Design category | Next to the SDA funding in the plan | The home has to be in that category or a lower value one |
| Building type | In the plan | Apartment, villa, duplex or townhouse, house or group home |
| Location | In the plan | Usually needs to line up with where the home is |
| Other supports | In the plan, for example SIL | Providers will ask who will support the person in the home |
If SDA isn't in the plan yet, start with our SDA eligibility page. Providers can still talk to you, but most homes can only be offered to someone with matching SDA funding.
Where Are SDA Vacancies Listed?
The NDIA's SDA Finder is the main public list, but it isn't complete.
- The SDA Finder on the NDIS website lets you search by suburb or postcode, building type, design category, number of residents, price and features. It also lists enrolled homes without a vacancy, so you can ask providers about future openings.
- Support coordinators and local area coordinators can help you look and talk to providers. The NDIA can fund support coordination to help you find a provider.
- SDA providers' own websites and waiting lists.
- Homes still being built. Some people agree to move into a new home once it's finished.
Not every vacancy is advertised
The NDIA says not all available SDA vacancies are on the SDA Finder, and that the NDIA doesn't endorse the providers listed. Talk to your planner or support coordinator if you're having trouble finding SDA in your area.
Looking for an SDA Home?
We'll connect you with a registered SDA provider who may have a home that suits.
What Should You Check Before You Commit?
That the home really meets the person's needs, before signing a service agreement.
- Visit, and check doorways, the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom size and outdoor access against the person's equipment and routines
- Meet the other residents in a shared home, or ask how compatibility is worked out
- Ask which SIL provider works in the home, and whether you can choose your own
- Check the rent, what's included, and how repairs and notice periods work
- Check how far it is from family, day programs, work, health services and community
What If There's No Vacancy That Fits?
The NDIA keeps the SDA budget in the plan while you look, and there are options in the meantime.
- Use other NDIS supports flexibly in the short term, or ask for more support so you can stay where you are while you wait
- Ask a support coordinator or local area coordinator to help find somewhere else to live for now
- Ask about medium term accommodation (MTA) if you've found an SDA home that isn't ready yet, or you're leaving hospital
- Ask the NDIA to reassess the plan if the person's needs have changed
Our guide to waiting for SDA explains medium term accommodation and the other options.
How Can We Help You Find a Vacancy?
Tell us the plan details and where the person would like to live. We pass it to one registered SDA provider at a time who may have a suitable home.
It's free and takes about two minutes. If that provider can't help, we pass it to another, up to three in total, so you don't have to ring around. We don't list or advertise homes ourselves.
Questions People Ask
How do I find SDA vacancies near me?
Search the NDIA's SDA Finder by suburb or postcode, ask your support coordinator, and contact SDA providers in the area. You can also tell us what you need and we'll pass it to a registered provider.
Are all SDA vacancies on the SDA Finder?
No. The NDIA says not all vacancies are advertised there. Providers have to tell the NDIA about vacancies, but listing them on the SDA Finder is optional.
Can I look for SDA before it's in my plan?
You can talk to providers, but the home has to match the design category, building type and location the NDIA approves. It's usually best to get SDA into the plan first.
How long does it take to find an SDA home?
It varies a lot by area, design category and building type. We don't publish wait times until we have real data to back them.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- SDA apartments, villas and housesThe four SDA building types: apartments, villas, duplexes and townhouses, houses and group homes.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an SDA provider, and what happens to your details.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy