Shared vs Single-Occupancy SDA: Which Should You Request?
Shared vs single occupancy SDA: what each means, how the NDIS decides, the evidence a single dwelling needs, and which to request in your home and living plan.
If you've been found eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation, one of the next questions is whether you'll live in a shared dwelling with other residents or a single-occupancy home of your own. The NDIS treats these differently, and single occupancy needs a clear justification. This guide explains what each means and which to request.
SDA is the dwelling, not the support
What shared SDA means
What single-occupancy SDA means
How the NDIS decides
The evidence a single dwelling needs
Which should you request
How occupancy shapes your support
Frequently asked questions
Is shared or single-occupancy SDA more common?
Shared SDA is more common. Most dwellings are designed for shared living because spreading a support roster across residents is more cost-effective. Single-occupancy dwellings exist too, but the NDIA treats them as a higher-cost option that needs clear evidence to justify.
What evidence do I need for single-occupancy SDA?
Usually an occupational therapist or specialist housing assessment setting out your functional needs, any clinical or behavioural reasons a shared home wouldn't work, and evidence that shared options were genuinely considered. The stronger the link between your disability and the need to live alone,…
Does SDA pay for my support workers?
No. SDA funds the specially designed dwelling only. The support you receive inside — personal care, cooking, community access — is funded separately, usually through Supported Independent Living (SIL). Your occupancy choice affects how that support is rostered and how much it costs.
Can I move from shared to single-occupancy SDA later?
It's possible, but it means demonstrating that your needs now require single occupancy, with fresh evidence, at a plan review. Circumstances change, and so can housing decisions — but the NDIA will look for the same reasonable-and-necessary justification each time.
Related guides
- SIL vs Living Alone With Drop-In Support: Which Works for You?
- SIL vs SDA: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?
- SIL vs SDA vs ILO: NDIS Home & Living Options Compared
- SIL vs Supported Residential Service (SRS): Key Differences
- Speech Therapy vs Occupational Therapy: Which Does Your Child Need?
- Stated vs Flexible Supports: What You Can and Can't Change