For people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs – approximately 6% of NDIS-eligible individuals – this included providing the funding of high-quality, bespoke and community-integrated homes.¹

Importantly, the NDIS was also structured to provide government payments directly to people, empowering them to make their own choices about their care and accommodation needs. This was a transition away from the traditional blockfunding model and allowed the individual to directly “buy” their services and providers as an empowered consumer rather than an allotted recipient.

In 2016 the agency that administers the NDIA introduced Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to facilitate this new approach and establish a private sector-led market to fund, build and manage this type of housing.

SDA is a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high needs. It aims to make accessing supports easier. SDA can involve different built forms or designs, for example a shared home with a small number of other people or a single resident villa or apartment.

A range of assistive technology, that is, equipment or devices that help people do things in the home more easily or safely is usually provided for.

A person who gets SDA funding from the NDIS will receive an amount to contribute to the cost of living in the dwelling. It doesn’t include the services or support the person may also require in their home.

^{1. ‘Disability Care and Support’, Productivity Commission, Report no. 54, 31 July 2011, https://www.pc.gov.au/}