Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) gives eligible NDIS participants access to housing designed around significant disability-related needs. These homes include accessibility, safety and support features that standard housing often lacks. This guide explains SDA funding, design categories, property inspections and the difference between SDA housing and Supported Independent Living (SIL). It also outlines SDA properties and broader supported accommodation locations where Holistic Futures provides SIL or daily support across Victoria.
Who Is Specialist Disability Accommodation For?
SDA is intended for eligible NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs when other home and living supports cannot adequately meet their disability-related needs. Eligibility focuses on the participant’s functional needs, goals, evidence and overall support arrangements rather than diagnosis alone. Participants must also record their chosen SDA provider as a “my provider” before SDA payments can be made to that provider.
Participant Support Needs
A participant considered for SDA often has one or more of the following needs:
- Significant mobility or physical access requirements
- Specialist bathroom, kitchen, transfer or circulation features
- Structural provision for ceiling hoists or other equipment
- Assistive technology or emergency communication systems
- A durable environment that reduces disability-related safety risks
- High support needs that require specialist housing features
SDA helps the participant live more independently or receive other supports more safely. The NDIS assesses how the proposed housing works with personal care, SIL, assistive technology and informal supports.
SDA Funding Requirements
SDA must appear in the participant’s NDIS plan before an SDA provider claims the housing payment. The plan specifies relevant details such as the approved design category, building type and location. The selected property must align with those details and be enrolled as an SDA dwelling.
SIL funding alone does not establish SDA eligibility. A participant may receive SIL in an ordinary shared home without SDA funding. Another participant may live in SDA and receive separate SIL or in-home support funding.
SDA Homes Supported by Holistic Futures in Victoria
Holistic Futures lists accommodation across Melbourne and regional Victoria. The current portfolio includes both SDA properties and standard SIL homes. The following properties are currently listed by Holistic Futures as SDA accommodation options:
St Albans SDA Apartment
St Albans offers a fully self-contained SDA apartment within a villa-style SDA building, designed to provide a private, accessible and comfortable living environment for eligible NDIS participants. The apartment is classified as Fully Accessible SDA and includes a private kitchen, lounge area and bedroom, with SIL support provided by Holistic Futures.
Listed features include:
- Fully Accessible SDA design (SDA funding required)
- Single, fully self-contained apartment with private kitchen, lounge room and bedroom
- Separate bedroom with built-in wardrobes
- Heating and cooling throughout
- Undercover outdoor area
- Accessible design features supporting safe and comfortable living
- SIL support from Holistic Futures
The apartment is located close to St Albans shopping centres, main roads, public transport options and local community facilities, providing convenient access to everyday services and activities.
Explore the St Albans SDA apartment.
Maribyrnong–Esen SDA Apartments
Maribyrnong–Esen offers self-contained SDA apartments designed to provide accessible, private and comfortable living for eligible NDIS participants. Located in Maribyrnong, the apartments feature individual living spaces, wheelchair-accessible outdoor areas and accessibility features designed for participants requiring High Physical Support or Fully Accessible SDA.
Listed features include:
- Self-contained SDA apartments with private kitchen, lounge room and bedroom
- Wheelchair-accessible private outdoor areas and undercover outdoor spaces
- Built-in wardrobes
- Heating and cooling throughout
- Customisable kitchens, bathrooms and laundries
- Structural provision for ceiling hoists
- Two-way emergency communication systems
- Assistive technology readiness
- On-site support from Holistic Futures
The apartments are located close to Maribyrnong River trails, cafes, markets, Highpoint Shopping Centre and public transport connections to Melbourne CBD.
View Maribyrnong–Esen accommodation.
Tarneit SDA Home
Tarneit offers a fully furnished shared SDA home designed for NDIS participants seeking a comfortable living environment with privacy, independence and personalised support. The property includes three participant bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, spacious shared living areas and Supported Independent Living (SIL) support from Holistic Futures. SDA funding is required to access this property.
Listed features include:
- Three participant bedrooms plus one overnight support room (OOA)
- Private bathroom for each participant bedroom
- Built-in wardrobes in all bedrooms
- Heating and cooling throughout the home
- Spacious dining area and two lounge rooms
- Fully furnished shared accommodation
- Covered outdoor area
- Internet access available
- On-site parking available
- 24/7 SIL support, including an overnight sleepover model, subject to each participant’s approved funding and support arrangements
The home is located close to Tarneit shopping centres, main roads and public transport, providing convenient access to local services and community facilities.
View Tarneit SDA accommodation.
Other Supported Accommodation Locations
Holistic Futures also lists SIL accommodation in Doncaster East, Gisborne, Clyde North, Wollert, Caroline Springs, South Morang and Templestowe. Current property information describes these locations as SIL homes where SDA funding is not required or where the property is not enrolled as SDA.
These disability accommodation options in Victoria include:
- Gisborne: Regional shared SIL accommodation near shops and public transport
- Doncaster East: Fully furnished shared SIL accommodation with daily living and overnight support
- Clyde North: Shared SIL home focused on daily living skills and greater independence
- Wollert: Furnished SIL accommodation with rostered and overnight support
- Caroline Springs: Shared SIL home near transport, shops and local services
- South Morang: SIL accommodation with furnished rooms, shared living areas and an outdoor garden
- Templestowe 1: Shared SIL accommodation where SDA funding is not required
- Templestowe 2: A non-SDA SIL home; the current property page states that no vacancy is available
Accommodation suitability depends on the participant’s support needs, funding, accessibility requirements, preferred living arrangement and compatibility with other residents. Vacancy information changes, so confirm availability before arranging an inspection.
What Accessibility Features Should an SDA Home Have?
An SDA property should address the participant’s assessed functional needs rather than follow a single universal checklist. The funded category sets the design framework, while the inspection confirms whether the individual layout works in practice.
Entrances and Movement
Check for step-free entry, wide doorways, safe thresholds, accessible paths and enough circulation space for mobility equipment.
Review every route used during a normal day, including access to:
- Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Shared living areas
- Outdoor spaces
- Parking
- Support areas
- Emergency exits
Accessible Kitchen and Laundry
An accessible kitchen supports safe meal preparation from the participant’s normal working height and position. Review appliance placement, knee clearance, bench access, tap controls, storage, turning space and the location of switches. Apply the same test to the laundry and confirm that the participant can reach controls and move safely around appliances.
Accessible Bathroom and Bedroom
Inspect the shower, toilet, basin and transfer zones against the participant’s support method. Check equipment reinforcement, slip resistance, privacy and space for support workers. The bedroom should accommodate the participant’s bed, mobility equipment, transfer requirements, storage and personal-care routines without restricting movement. Where the participant needs a hoist, confirm the structural provision, proposed track and transfer route.
Assistive Technology and Safety
Review automated doors, blinds, lighting, climate controls, intercoms, emergency call systems and fire-safety features. Ask which systems are already installed and which features are only ready for future installation. Confirm who maintains each system and how it operates during a power or internet outage.
What to Check During an SDA Property Inspection
A detailed SDA property inspection protects the participant’s safety, funding and tenancy interests. Involve the participant’s occupational therapist, support coordinator or allied health professional when their input will help test the home against real routines.
Confirm the Property Details
Ask the provider to confirm:
- The registered SDA provider
- Enrolled dwelling status
- SDA design category
- Building type
- Maximum number of residents
- Current vacancy status
- Expected move-in timeframe
Confirm that the advertised design category applies to the exact apartment, bedroom or dwelling being offered.
Assess Accessibility
Test entry and exit routes, bedroom dimensions, privacy, bathroom transfers, kitchen reach, wheelchair circulation and outdoor access.
Review hoist requirements and assistive technology using the participant’s own equipment wherever practical. Do not rely only on photographs, floor plans or general accessibility descriptions.
Understand Support Arrangements
Separate housing questions from support questions. Confirm:
- Who provides SIL
- The overnight support model
- Expected staff-to-participant ratio
- On-site overnight assistance
- Emergency response arrangements
- Participant choice of support provider
- What happens when support needs change
Ask how arrangements change when a housemate leaves or the participant wants to change support providers. Record the agreed approach in writing.
Review Costs and Agreements
Request clear information about rent, utilities, food, household expenses and other contributions.
Review the following documents separately:
- SDA service agreement
- Residential or tenancy agreement
- SIL service agreement
- House rules or shared-living agreement
Check maintenance responsibilities, notice periods, damage processes, privacy terms and complaint pathways. The NDIS requires a written SDA service agreement, while participants pay an agreed reasonable rent contribution, subject to the maximum reasonable rent contribution, as well as day-to-day living costs such as electricity and groceries.
How to Enquire About an SDA Home with Holistic Futures
Step 1: Confirm SDA Funding
Review the participant’s approved SDA design category, building type, location and support requirements. Keep the current NDIS plan and relevant assessments available for the housing discussion.
Step 2: Discuss Housing Preferences
Share the participant’s:
- Preferred suburb
- Living arrangement
- Accessibility needs
- Support model
- Desired move date
- Compatibility considerations
- Equipment requirements
- Daily routines
Include relevant information about pets, communication preferences and overnight support.
Step 3: Review Available Properties
Ask Holistic Futures to confirm current vacancies, dwelling enrolment, the registered SDA provider, exact accessibility features and available SIL arrangements.
Do not rely only on a general property label. Confirm that the specific dwelling matches the participant’s funding.
Step 4: Arrange an Inspection
Inspect the home with the participant and relevant decision-makers. Test the environment against daily routines and document any questions that require written answers.
Step 5: Review Agreements Separately
Review the tenancy, SDA and SIL arrangements before committing. Independent advice from a support coordinator, advocate, occupational therapist or legal service provides additional protection when the terms are complex.
Discuss your SDA housing and Supported Independent Living requirements with Holistic Futures.
How Holistic Futures Supports Participants in SDA Homes
Holistic Futures provides participant-focused support across housing, daily routines, skill development and community participation. The exact service mix must reflect the participant’s NDIS plan, goals and service agreement. Through Supported Independent Living in Victoria, support workers assist with:
- Personal care
- Meal preparation
- Household routines
- Authorised medication support
- Daily living skills
- Rostered or overnight assistance
- Community access
- Building greater independence
Holistic Futures’ current SIL information describes 24/7 support options, including personal care and overnight support.
- Life Skills and Home Support focuses on practical independence through cooking, cleaning, shopping, budgeting and everyday routines. Holistic Futures describes this service as one-to-one assistance aligned with the participant’s plan and goals.
- Social and Community Participation supports community access, recreation, social activities, confidence and skill development.
- Support Coordination helps participants understand their plans, identify providers, arrange services and keep supports aligned with their goals and preferences.
Learn more about Holistic Futures NDIS services or contact the team to discuss housing and support requirements.
Choosing SDA involves more than finding an accessible property. The dwelling must match the participant’s approved SDA category, building type, location, functional needs and preferred support arrangements. Before committing, confirm the dwelling’s enrolment, current vacancy, accessibility features, support model, costs and separate SDA, tenancy and SIL agreements. Holistic Futures provides SIL support in selected SDA properties and offers broader supported accommodation across Victoria. Confirm dwelling enrolment, accessibility, vacancies, support arrangements, costs and agreements before choosing a home.
FAQs About Specialist Disability Accommodation in Victoria
What is the difference between SDA and SIL?
SDA funds eligible specialist housing, while SIL funds support workers who assist with daily tasks in the home. A participant may receive both, but each support requires separate approval, funding and agreements.
Does every Holistic Futures accommodation property require SDA funding?
No. Current property information identifies St Albans, Tarneit and Maribyrnong–Esen as SDA options. Several other Holistic Futures locations are standard SIL homes where SDA funding is not required.
Which SDA design category should I choose?
The participant does not select an SDA category based only on personal preference. The NDIS considers functional assessments, support needs, goals and evidence before recording the approved category in the participant’s plan.
What should I bring to an SDA property inspection?
Bring the participant’s NDIS plan details, accessibility requirements, equipment measurements and a list of daily routines. Involve an occupational therapist, support coordinator or allied health professional when their assessment will help confirm whether the home is suitable.
How do I check whether an SDA property is enrolled?
Ask the provider for the enrolled dwelling details and compare the design category, building type and location with the participant’s NDIS plan. Participants with SDA funding can also use the NDIS SDA Finder to search enrolled properties and vacancies.
