Specialist Disability Accommodation Able Australia

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Our approach as a Specialist Disability Accommodation provider

If you’re looking for a place that feels like home that is safe, comfortable, and truly yours, you’re in the right place. 

We can work with you every step of the way. From finding the right home to working with builders, developers, and community housing providers, you’ll never have to do it alone.

At Able Australia, we support people to live the life they choose in:

  • Victoria
  • Tasmania 
  • ACT
  • Queensland

Call 1300 080 777 to find out about how we can support you.

What makes a home SDA certified?

To be certified as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), a home must meet specific standards designed to suit different needs. There are four main types:

At Able, we offer guidance throughout the NDIS funding application process and support you when submitting an expression of interest for a SDA home.

Improved Liveability – Designed to make daily life easier, with moderate physical access and features for sensory, intellectual, or cognitive needs. 

Robust – Built strong and resilient, with good physical access and features that reduce the need for frequent repairs.

 

Fully Accessible – Designed for people with significant physical impairments, providing full physical access throughout the home.

 

High Physical Support – For people with the highest physical support needs, offering advanced accessibility features and specialist support provisions.

 

Can the NDIS help with the cost of accommodation?

Yes, if you’re eligible. The NDIS funds SDA for the home itself, but not for everyday costs like rent, food, or daily support services.

Don’t worry about getting buried by paperwork. We can help you navigate the NDIS funding process from start to finish. This includes checking your eligibility, preparing your application, and submitting an expression of interest for an SDA home. We’ll liaise with the NDIA so you can focus on what matters most: finding your home

Why choose Able Australia for your SDA home?

When it comes to finding your home, you want experience, choice, and people who put you first.

Over 50 years of experience – We’ve helped thousands of people find homes that fit their lives.

More choice, more locations – Our partnerships with SDA and community housing providers mean you have more options across Victoria and Tasmania.

Proven partnerships: We work closely with developers to customise a solution to meet your wants and needs, ensuring that every home we offer is certified and safe.

People-first approach – Your wants, needs, and lifestyle shape everything we do. We’re here to make sure your SDA home works for you, now and for your future.

More about Able Australia

Find your fully equipped home with Able Australia

Able Australia is a leading SDA provider helping people access supported disability accommodation tailored to their needs.You can be confident that we will keep your unique wants and needs at the centre of the services we provide, so that you find accommodation that fits you best. 

Whether you want a cosy place to call your own or a homebase that helps you get out and about with friends and family, we’re all about supporting you to live the life you choose!

Our team is here to support. Together, we’ll help you find a home where you can feel safe, respected, and truly at home in SDA housing.

Enquire now about SDA homes.

FAQs

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)? 

Specialist disability accommodation (SDA), also known as SDA housing,  is a type of housing funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for eligible participants. Most often, people eligible for SDA housing are living with significant functional impairment or very high support needs.

SDA homes are purpose-built to help people live independently and safely, typically designed with features such as: 

  • wide doorways

  • hoists

  • ramps for walkers or wheelchairs

  • other assistive technology.

Able Australia is a registered SDA provider with over 50 years of experience in disability accommodation services. So if you’re curious to find out more about accommodation that suits you, a loved one or a client, we’re here to help you!

What is the Specialist Disability Accommodation design standard?

The Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard is a certification process that ensures homes meet the needs of residents with complex disabilities. 

For a home to be certified as SDA-approved, it must have: 

  • improved liveability 

  • be low maintenance 

  • fully accessible 

  • offer a high level of physical support

Every SDA home must be certified by independent assessors. This happens both at design stage and again when construction is completed.The SDA provider then applies to the NDIA to have the dwelling/house  enrolled as SDA and must show that the home meets all requirements at the time of the decision. 

Homes are assessed independently at both design and construction stages, then enrolled with the NDIA once all requirements are met. While it may sound complex, it’s there to make sure you get the best outcome. The team at Able Australia will be with you every step of the way to make the process easier.

How to apply for SDA funding?

Applying for Specialist Disability Accommodation funding might feel overwhelming, we’re here to make it easier.

  1. The first step is to check your eligibility for SDA through the NDIS. 

  2. If you qualify, we’ll support you with preparing the right documentation, working with health professionals to gather evidence, and submitting your application to the NDIA.

  3. Our specialist team at Able Australia can also help you express interest in SDA homes and talk directly with the NDIA on your behalf. 

  4. That way, you can focus on finding a place that feels like home while we handle the process behind the scenes.

How does SDA funding work?

SDA funding is provided by the NDIS to cover the cost of the home itself, not the day-to-day living expenses like rent, utilities, food, or personal support.

Funding is tailored to your individual needs and is based on the type of housing that best supports your independence, whether that’s Improved Liveability, Robust, Fully Accessible, or High Physical Support.

Once approved, your SDA funding is included in your NDIS plan, and our expert team at Able Australia will work with you to connect that funding to an SDA home that suits your needs and lifestyle.

What’s the difference between SDA and SIL? 

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) sometimes go hand in hand, but they are not the same thing.

  • SDA is the housing itself — purpose-built homes designed for people with very high support needs. The bricks and mortar really.
  • SIL is the support you receive while living in that home, such as support with daily tasks, personal care, or developing independent living skills.

Think of SDA as the home, and SIL as the support for you to live your best life inside it. At Able Australia, we can help you access both ensuring you have not just a house, but a home that works for you.