What is an SDA determination?

A simple guide for participants and families looking for SDA housing

Understanding Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can feel overwhelming, especially when terms like "SDA determination" and "SDA funding" are unfamiliar.

For many participants and families, the SDA journey often starts with one key question:

Am I eligible for SDA housing?

One of the most important parts of answering that question is understanding your SDA determination.

Knowing what an SDA determination is, and what it means for your housing options, can help you make more informed decisions and have clearer conversations with your support team and SDA providers.

What is an SDA determination?

An SDA determination is the NDIA’s decision about whether SDA funding can be included in a participant’s NDIS plan and, if approved, the type of SDA that may be funded.

If approved, the determination outlines:

• the SDA design category a participant is eligible for
• the type of housing funding available
• building type and occupancy requirements
• whether the funding supports shared or individual living arrangements.

This information helps determine what type of SDA housing may be suitable for a participant’s support needs and functional requirements.

Think of an SDA determination as the NDIS confirming both:

1. whether a participant qualifies for SDA funding, and
2. what type of SDA housing may best support their needs.

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What are the different SDA design categories?

If approved for SDA funding, participants are generally assigned a design category that helps determine what type of housing may suit their needs.

The four SDA design categories are:

• Improved Liveability
• Fully Accessible
• High Physical Support
• Robust

Each category is designed to support different accessibility, functional and support needs.

Who is involved in the SDA process?

Applying for SDA funding often involves several people working together to provide evidence and support.

This may include:

• the participant and their family or support network
• Support coordinators or specialist support coordinators
• Occupational therapists and allied health professionals
• the NDIA, who assess and approve SDA funding
• SDA providers who help participants explore available housing options once funding is approved.

SDA providers can explain housing options and vacancies, but they do not decide eligibility. Participants usually request home and living supports through their NDIS contact, with evidence from relevant professionals.

How do you know if you may be eligible for SDA?

SDA is designed for NDIS participants who have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

While eligibility is assessed individually by the NDIA, SDA may be worth exploring if a participant:

• requires high levels of daily support
• has significant mobility or accessibility needs
• cannot safely or appropriately live in their current home environment
• requires specialist housing design to improve independence or quality of life
• relies heavily on informal supports that may not be sustainable long-term.

The SDA application process usually requires assessments and supporting evidence from allied health professionals.

What do you need before looking for SDA housing?

Before actively searching for SDA housing, it is helpful to understand:

• whether SDA funding has been approved in your NDIS plan
• your SDA design category
• your preferred locations and living arrangements
• your day-to-day support needs.

Having this information ready can help make conversations with SDA providers more meaningful and help identify suitable housing options more efficiently.

Don't have an SDA determination yet?

If you do not currently have SDA funding approved, the best next step is usually to speak with your:

• support coordinator
• specialist support coordinator
• occupational therapist
• allied health team
• NDIS support network.

These professionals can help explore whether SDA may be appropriate and guide you through the assessment and evidence process.

How we can help

If you already have SDA funding approved and are exploring housing options, our team can help you:

• learn more about available SDA homes
• understand different housing options and living arrangements
• discuss vacancy availability
• explore homes aligned to your SDA funding and support needs.