Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Specialist housing designed for people with very high or complex support needs.

What it means

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is specialist housing designed and built for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. These homes include features that ordinary housing usually does not, such as reinforced walls, wider doorways, built-in assistive technology, or robust designs that improve safety and independence.

It is important to understand that SDA funds the dwelling, the building itself, not the support that happens inside it. The everyday help you need, like personal care or building living skills, is funded separately, often through Supported Independent Living. SDA is about giving you a home that suits your disability. Only some participants are eligible, and this is decided based on strong evidence about your needs, not simply on preference or diagnosis.

In practice

Because SDA is for a small group of people with the highest needs, the evidence bar is high. The NDIA looks at whether specialist housing features are genuinely needed and whether other options have been considered. Reports from occupational therapists and other professionals usually describe your functional impairment and why standard housing does not meet your needs.

SDA comes in different design categories that reflect different levels of accessibility and support features. If you are found eligible, your funding relates to the type of dwelling you need. You then work with SDA providers to find a suitable home. Because the dwelling and the support are separate, it is common to plan SDA and SIL together so both your home and your daily help fit your goals.

A real example

For example, Daniel has very high physical support needs and uses a powered wheelchair and a ceiling hoist throughout the day. After his occupational therapist provided evidence that standard housing could not safely meet his needs, he became eligible for SDA. He now lives in a purpose-built home with wide doorways, reinforced ceilings for hoisting and accessible bathroom facilities, while his daily support is funded separately.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) — FAQs

What is the difference between SDA and SIL?
SDA funds the specialist dwelling, the physical home built for people with very high needs. SIL funds the support delivered inside a home, like help with daily tasks and building living skills. They are assessed and funded separately. Someone may receive both, one, or neither, depending on their needs. In short, SDA is about the building and SIL is about the help.
Who is eligible for SDA?
SDA is for a small number of participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs that ordinary housing cannot meet. Eligibility is decided on strong evidence, usually including reports from occupational therapists and other professionals. Having a disability or a particular diagnosis alone is not enough. The NDIA looks at your functional needs and whether specialist housing features are genuinely required.
Does SDA pay for my support workers?
No. SDA only funds the dwelling itself, not the support inside it. The help you need day to day, such as personal care or building living skills, is funded separately, often through Supported Independent Living. This separation means your home and your support are treated as two different things, each assessed on its own and planned to work together.
Do I still pay rent if I live in SDA?
Yes, generally you contribute towards your accommodation, often a reasonable rent contribution, alongside the SDA funding that covers the specialist dwelling. The exact arrangement depends on your circumstances and the provider. Your everyday living costs, like bills and food, remain your responsibility, just as they would in any other home. It is worth discussing costs clearly with your provider before you move in.
What evidence do I need for an SDA request?
You usually need detailed reports describing your functional capacity and why standard or modified housing cannot meet your needs. Occupational therapists and other professionals often provide this. The evidence should explain the specific housing features you require and show that other options have been considered. Because SDA is for the highest needs, the standard of evidence expected is high and specific to your situation.

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