Evidence you need for NDIS housing funding
The reports, assessments and letters that build a strong case for SDA, SIL or ILO — and how to get them in order before your planning meeting
What is the core evidence for a housing request?
What evidence supports each support type?
How do I make the evidence strong?
Who can help me gather it?
How long the evidence takes to pull together
What a strong OT housing report actually contains
Common reasons housing evidence falls short
How is my evidence paid for and reviewed?
Frequently asked questions
What evidence do I need for NDIS housing funding?
The core is an occupational therapist's functional capacity assessment. For SDA you also need an SDA housing assessment recommending a design category; for SIL a Roster of Care mapping hours and ratios; for ILO a Stage 1 exploration and design report. Specialist and GP letters describing your disability, its permanence…
Do I need an OT report for SDA or SIL?
Almost always, yes. An OT functional capacity assessment underpins nearly every housing decision, and for SDA a housing-specific OT assessment recommends the design category. It describes your day-to-day function, the support you need, and how your environment affects you.
How do I make my housing evidence strong?
Be concrete, consistent and current. Describe your typical week and hardest times, quantify support (how often, how long, what ratio), link each support to a goal, use recent reports, and explain what happens without the support. Make sure all your reports tell the same story.
Who helps me gather housing evidence?
A support coordinator, an occupational therapist and your treating specialists. The OT usually leads housing-specific reports, specialists provide clinical letters, and a support coordinator helps assemble and present everything to the NDIA.
How early should I start gathering evidence?
As early as possible. Quality OT and specialist reports can take weeks to arrange, so if a plan review is approaching, book assessments well ahead. Out-of-date evidence carries less weight, so aim for recent reports timed to your review.
Who pays for the OT and other housing assessments?
The assessments are usually funded from the Capacity Building budget in your plan, commonly under Improved Daily Living, rather than from your own pocket. If you do not have enough funding allocated for the reports you need, raise it with your planner, because the evidence is what supports your larger housing request.
How recent does my housing evidence need to be?
As recent as practical. Out-of-date reports carry less weight because they may not reflect your current function or support needs, so aim to have assessments completed close to your planning meeting or review. If your situation has changed, update the evidence rather than relying on older reports.
What if my housing request is refused despite the evidence?
A refusal is not the end of the road. You can ask for an internal review, and the same evidence — often strengthened, updated or made more specific — supports that request, which is why keeping an organised file matters. A support coordinator or advocate can help you identify the gaps and respond.