FAQs

SDA refers to a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA dwellings have accessible features to help participants live more independently and assist with the delivery of supports.

The different types of SDA is outlined in the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) SDA Design Standard. The SDA Design Standard has 4 categories of SDA design:

• Improved liveability
• Robust
• Fully accessible
• High physical support

SDA is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

SDA funding includes the cost of the home or building an SDA-eligible participant lives in. SDA funding is paid directly to the registered SDA provider.

SDA funding does not include the services or support a participant might receive in their home – it covers the cost of the dwelling only (building and maintenance costs).

Yes – all SDA properties must be enrolled with the NDIA. SDA providers must be registered through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to enrol an SDA dwelling.

Yes – our members include SDA providers who deliver specialist disability housing. You can find SDA providers that are part of our membership through our Member Directory

Yes – our members include institutional investors who invest in SDA nationally. You can find institutional investors that are part of our membership through our Member Directory

No. SDA providers that are members of the SDA Alliance deliver housing only – this is a prerequisite for membership.

Mandating the separation of the provision of housing and support is fundamental to ensuring people with disability are afforded appropriate protections from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The risk of abuse and neglect is heightened for a person with disability whose supports and services are provided by a single service provider.

For further details, see our joint position statement on the Separation of Housing and Care Support Providers.

We have published the Best Practice Guide: Specialist Disability Accommodation. This best practice guide has been developed based on deep engagement with SDA Alliance members, including people with disability. Our members are committed to the principles of best practice and achieving good outcomes for people in need of specialist accommodation.
The purpose of the best practice guide is to offer guidance and recommendations on several major areas of SDA including:

• Design best practice + innovation in design
• Thin markets
• Participant engagement: design + build process
• Conflict of interest + rights and responsibilities
• Separation of housing and care supports
• Service agreements with participants
• Tenancy management
• Safety and complaints process
• Choice and control + participant safety
• Diversity + inclusion
• Quality providers – staffing, organisational culture

This resource has been designed for SDA market players including SDA providers, government, institutional investors, developers, builders, allied health professionals and support coordinators.