The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a way for the government to provide support to Australians with disability, their families, and carers.

The NDIS will provide Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is one of the supports that may be funded under the NDIS.

SDA describes a home that is designed to include specialist features for people with very high needs, to assist the delivery of supports, and to enhance independence.

Each SDA property must be enrolled with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and all SDA providers must be registered with the NDIA.

Participants eligible for SDA are funded for SDA in their NDIS plan to cover the cost of the build and maintenance of their chosen SDA home. SDA funding is paid directly to the registered SDA provider.

SDA funding is for the dwelling only – it does not cover support costs (such as Supported Independent Living), which are assessed and funded separately under the NDIS.

NDIS participants who are eligible for SDA, and have SDA funded in their NDIS plan, can apply for an SDA property from the available supply of SDA properties in the market.