How to Apply for SDA Housing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Participants, Families & Carers
Step-by-step guidance for participants, families, and support teams—real advice to help you feel confident from start to finish.
Applying for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain frustrating—but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you're a participant looking for a long-term, independent home, a carer helping someone navigate the NDIS, or a support coordinator trying to piece everything together, this guide breaks down the entire SDA application process.
We’ll walk you through it—step by step, in plain English—so you’re not left googling what things should’ve meant in the first place.
And once you’re approved, Necessity Housing is here to help you move into a real home that actually supports how you want to live.
First, What Even Is SDA?
SDA stands for Specialist Disability Accommodation—NDIS-funded housing designed for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.
It’s not just a modified home. SDA homes are custom-built or specifically renovated to help participants live more independently while having access to necessary supports like onsite carers or assistive tech.
SDA homes fall under four design categories:
- Improved Liveability—For people with sensory, cognitive, or intellectual impairment
- Fully Accessible—For people with significant physical challenges
- High Physical Support—For people needing a high level of physical accessibility and 24/7 care
- Robust—For people with complex behaviours and/or needs around safety, noise, or stressors
📝 Need help figuring out which category fits best? That’s something we can assist with—reach out here!
Who Can Apply for SDA?
To be eligible for SDA, you’ll need to:
- Be an active NDIS participant
- Show you have
extreme functional impairment
or
very high support needs
- Demonstrate that SDA is the most appropriate long-term housing solution for your goals
The NDIA will also want to see how SDA housing is
reasonable
and
necessary
to help you live more independently and safely.
The SDA Application Process (Step by Step)
1. Write Strong Housing Goals in Your NDIS Plan
Your NDIS goals are the foundation for your SDA application.
To even get started, you need clear housing-related goals in your current NDIS plan—something like:
- “I want to live in a home that supports my independence.”
- “I need a place that is quiet, safe, and helps me manage my daily routine.”
- “I want to live in my own home with support available when I need it.”
💡 Tip: Your goals don’t need to mention “SDA” directly, but they should highlight your need for independence, stability, and long-term housing.
2. Get a Functional Assessment from an Allied Health Professional
This is one of the most important steps in the entire process.
You’ll need one or more reports from allied health professionals (usually an Occupational Therapist, but possibly others too) that detail:
- Your support needs
- The daily challenges you face
- How SDA would help improve your safety, quality of life, and independence
- Why other housing options aren’t suitable
🛑 Tip: Make sure your reports use language that aligns with the NDIS SDA Rules and Operational Guideline. The NDIA is looking for direct links between your disability-related support needs and how SDA housing will meet those needs—not just generalised statements. The more specific, the better.
3. Complete the Home & Living Supports Request Form
This is the form you’ll submit to request funding for SDA (and/or SIL, ILO, etc.).
📄 Download the Home & Living Supports Request Form
This form asks about your housing goals, what supports you need, and why you’re requesting SDA.
You’ll submit it with your supporting reports and documentation.
You can complete the form yourself, with the help of a support coordinator, or with input from family or carers.
4. Submit Everything to the NDIA
Send in:
- The Home & Living Supports Request Form
- Your allied health reports
- Any additional evidence (e.g. incident reports, carer statements, letters from current housing providers, etc.)
This can be submitted through the
myplace portal, through your support coordinator, or directly to your NDIS planner or LAC.
5. The Waiting Period (and What Happens Next)
Once submitted, it can take up to 90 days for the NDIA to make a decision, though it’s often faster.
If approved, your plan will be updated to include SDA funding—along with a category (e.g., Robust, High Physical Support)
and dwelling type (e.g., apartment, house, villa).
You’re now ready to start exploring homes.
If denied, you can request an internal review and supply further evidence. This is why the initial reports and goals are so important.
We can guide you through this part if needed—just get in touch.
What Happens After Approval?
Once SDA is approved in your plan, you can begin looking at available homes that match your category and dwelling type.
This is where we come in!
At Necessity Housing, we support you from the start of your search to move-in day (and beyond). You can view our current SDA homes here, including Robust and High Physical Support homes that prioritise independence, comfort, and privacy.
We’ll talk through what you’re after, what supports you need, and help ensure your new home reflects you—not just your category.
What If I’m Not Yet in the NDIS?
You’ll need to apply to become an NDIS participant first. This involves:
- Submitting an NDIS Access Request
- Providing evidence of permanent and significant disability
- Meeting residency and age criteria
Once accepted into the scheme, you’ll get an NDIS plan with funding for supports. From there, you can start the SDA process just like any other participant.
Finding the Right SDA Home
Once your SDA funding is approved, it’s time to find a home that works for you—not just in terms of location, but in how it’s built, how much independence you want, and what kind of support setup feels right. That’s where design categories (like Robust, High Physical Support, etc.) and the design of the home itself really matter.
At Necessity Housing, we offer more than just “SDA-compliant” homes—we offer homes that are actually
built for the life you want to live.
What Does “Two Independent Spaces on One Title” Mean?
Many of the homes we offer are designed as two completely private residences under one roof. Think of it more like having your own home—not a shared house—with personalised support close by when you need it.
Each home includes:
- Its own fully accessible kitchen
A private bedroom
A spacious bathroom built for comfort and safety - A dedicated living area
- And a carer room for 24/7 Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA)
No shared spaces. No compromises.
You decide when to cook, how to relax, and what your day looks like—without the pressure of navigating group dynamics or shared routines.
This setup is perfect for people who:
- Want privacy and independence
- Feel more comfortable outside of group living
- Need 24/7 support on-site, but not in their space
- Prefer quiet, low-stress environments that feel like home
We’ve seen this model give participants
more choice, more peace of mind, and most importantly—a real sense of ownership over their space and life.
Summary: Your SDA Checklist
✔ Write clear housing goals in your NDIS plan
✔ Get strong functional assessments and reports
✔ Complete and submit the Home & Living Supports Request Form
✔ Attach all supporting evidence
✔ Submit to the NDIA (via planner, LAC, or portal)
✔ Wait for approval
✔ Once approved, start exploring
available SDA homes
✔ Reach out to us if you want real support through the whole process
Need Help Along the Way?
At Necessity Housing, we’ve worked with participants, carers, and support coordinators from all over—helping each person find not just a home, but a space that truly works for them.
From understanding SDA categories to finding a home that feels like home, we’re here to make it easier, more human, and built around you.
📞 Let’s chat!
Contact us here and we’ll help guide you every step of the way.
