Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a critical component of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), designed to provide purpose-built housing for individuals with extreme functional impairments or very high support needs. SDA housing is not just about accessibility; it is about ensuring people with disabilities can live in an environment that supports their safety, independence, and overall well-being.

​

Key Features of SDA

✔ Specialized Housing Design: SDA properties incorporate features tailored to individuals with mobility restrictions, sensory impairments, or complex care needs.
✔ Four Design Categories: SDA properties are built to one of the following categories:

- Improved Liveability – Enhanced design for sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairments.
- Fully Accessible – Designed for individuals with significant physical impairments, including wheelchair accessibility.
- Robust – High-resilience homes for those who require durable, secure environments.
- High Physical Support – Accommodations for participants with very complex support needs, including ceiling hoists and emergency power solutions.
✔ Long-Term Housing Security: SDA provides stability and permanent housing solutions for eligible participants.
✔ Funded Separately from Support Services: SDA only covers the housing costs. Daily care and assistance are funded under Supported Independent Living (SIL) or other NDIS support categories.

Eligibility for SDA
SDA funding is allocated to a small percentage of NDIS participants who require specialist housing solutions due to extreme functional impairments or high support needs. Eligibility is determined through an NDIS assessment, ensuring only those with significant housing challenges receive SDA funding. 

​

The Role of Supported Independent Living (SIL) in SDA Housing

While SDA provides the housing, Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides the care and support needed for residents to live independently. SIL is an NDIS-funded service that enables individuals to receive assistance with daily tasks, community participation, and personal care while residing in SDA or other accommodation types.

​

What SIL includes; 

🔹 Personal Care & Daily Support: Assistance with dressing, hygiene, and meal preparation.
🔹 Household & Community Support: Support with cleaning, budgeting, social engagement, and transport.
🔹 24/7 or Scheduled Support: Depending on the participant's needs, SIL can provide overnight, daily, or occasional assistance.

​

How SDA and SIL work together​

SDA = The Housing | SIL = The Support Services – SDA ensures accessibility, while SIL ensures the required care is in place.
SIL Providers operate in SDA Homes – Working within SDA properties, SIL providers deliver person-centred care tailored to individual needs.
Not all SDA Participants require SIL – Some individuals may receive alternative or lower-intensity supports instead of SIL.

Together, SDA and SIL create a holistic living arrangement that prioritizes independence, safety, and personal choice.

​

The Integral Role of Support Coordinators & Allied Health Professionals in SDA & SIL

SDA and SIL services do not operate in isolation. Support Coordinators and Allied Health Professionals play a crucial role in ensuring participants receive the right housing and care solutions.

​

Support Coordinators – Navigating SDA & SIL for Participants
Support Coordinators assist NDIS participants in understanding, applying for, and accessing SDA and SIL services.

Their responsibilities include:
✔ Assessing Housing & Support Needs: Helping participants navigate SDA funding eligibility and find suitable housing options.
✔ Coordinating SIL Services: Ensuring individuals receive appropriate support within their SDA homes.
✔ Crisis and Transitional Housing Assistance: Supporting participants who require urgent accommodation due to hospital discharge or at-risk living situations.
✔ NDIS Plan Management & Funding Navigation: Helping participants optimize their funding and access necessary services.

Allied Health Professionals – Ensuring SDA & SIL Suitability

🏥 Occupational Therapists (OTs): Conduct assessments to determine SDA eligibility, recommend home modifications, and advise on assistive technology.
🏥 Physiotherapists & Speech Pathologists: Assist in mobility support, communication strategies, and specialized care planning.
🏥 Behaviour Support Practitioners: Provide expertise in managing challenging behaviors within SDA Robust housing models.

​

Support Coordinators and Allied Health Professionals ensure SDA and SIL services are aligned with participants' needs, delivering a collaborative and effective support system.

​

SILSDA – Unifying SDA, SIL, Support Coordinators, and Allied Health Professionals
The Supported Independent Living & Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance (SILSDA) was established to bridge the gaps between housing providers, support providers, and professional services.

​

Why SILSDA Exists:
✅ A Collaborative Platform for SDA & SIL Stakeholders: SILSDA fosters partnerships between providers, ensuring best practices and innovation in disability housing.
✅ Bridging Housing Vacancies & Service Gaps: Addressing challenges in matching participants with suitable SDA homes and support providers.
✅ Training & Development: Providing Leadership Training, Recruitment, and Support Coordinator training to enhance sector capacity.
✅ Hospital Discharge & Crisis Housing Solutions: Ensuring individuals transitioning from hospitals or unstable housing have access to the right SDA and SIL solutions.

​

SILSDA is committed to empowering connections and driving positive change in the SDA and SIL sectors.

​

NDIS Participants, Hospital Discharge & the Need for SDA & SIL Solutions

🏥 The Urgency of Hospital Discharge & Transitional Housing
One of the most pressing challenges within the NDIS housing sector is the delayed discharge of participants from hospitals due to a lack of appropriate housing. SILSDA is actively working with hospitals, NDIS planners, and housing providers to streamline the transition process by:

✔ Expediting SDA Placement: Helping eligible participants move into SDA properties faster.
✔ Providing Short-Term & Medium-Term Accommodation (STA & MTA): Ensuring individuals have a safe place to stay while waiting for long-term solutions.
✔ Coordinating SIL Support Prior to Discharge: Ensuring care services are established before a participant leaves the hospital.
✔ Involving Allied Health Professionals Early: Enabling better planning for assistive technology, home modifications, and support needs.

​

Through effective housing and support coordination, SDA and SIL services play a critical role in reducing hospital stays, improving health outcomes, and enhancing the quality of life for NDIS participants.

​

Join SILSDA – Working Together for Better SDA & SIL Solutions
SILSDA provides a dedicated platform for SDA providers, SIL providers, Support Coordinators, Allied Health Professionals, and NDIS participants to collaborate and drive meaningful change in disability housing and care.

​

🌏 Whether you are a provider, professional, or participant, SILSDA is here to support, connect, and empower.

​

📩 Get in touch today to learn more about SDA, SIL, and how we can work together to create lasting impact.