Who Is Eligible for SDA? Step-by-Step Eligibility, Evidence & Application Process

Finding the right home is one of the most important parts of living a safe, independent, and meaningful life, especially for people with high support needs. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) was created to make this easier. But even today, many families, support coordinators, and participants still feel unsure about who qualifies and how the eligibility process actually works.

SDA can feel complicated from the outside, but once you break it down, it becomes a clear, step-by-step process focused on making sure people who need high-level housing support can access it.

In this guide, we’ll walk through SDA eligibility in a simple, human way—what the NDIS looks for, what evidence is needed, and how to apply. And most importantly, we’ll talk about how to make the process easier for the people at the centre of it all.

At Tibii, we’re proud to be the first in Australia to put the Human-Centred Approach into real practice, supporting people with disabilities through the lens of Human Rights and genuine care. This perspective shapes everything from how we support participants to how we help them prepare for major decisions like SDA.

What is SDA, and who is it designed for?

SDA is a type of specialist housing under the NDIS. It isn’t the support itself, it’s the bricks, design, layout, technology, safety features, and accessibility that make it possible for a person with high support needs to live comfortably and securely.

SDA is mainly for people who:

• Require very high levels of physical support

• Need an environment designed to reduce risk or behaviours of concern

• Need home modifications that go beyond typical residential standards

• Have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs

• Live in situations where their current housing is unsafe or unsustainable

  
  

It’s also for people whose independence and daily functioning would improve dramatically if they lived in a well-designed, specialised home.

SDA is not for everyone on the NDIS, and that’s why the eligibility process is strict. The goal is simple: make sure that SDA funding is directed to the people who genuinely need it to live a fuller life.

Who Is Eligible for SDA? (NDIS Criteria Explained Simply)

The NDIS looks at three major areas when deciding if someone is eligible for SDA:

1. Extreme Functional Impairment (EFI)

This applies when a person cannot perform daily activities without significant assistance. This might include support with:

• Personal care

• Mobility

• Transferring in/out of bed

• Using assistive technology

• Moving around safely

If a person can only function safely within a home specifically designed for their needs, they may meet the EFI criteria.

2. Very High Support Needs (VHSN)

This category includes people who need:

• Constant or intensive daily supports

• Overnight care

• Regular intervention due to medical or behavioural needs

• A home layout that reduces the risk of harm

• Support for complex health requirements

If a person’s support requirements can’t be managed in standard housing even with home modifications they may qualify.

3. It Must Be the ‘Best Value’ Option for the Participant

The NDIS always asks:

“Will SDA create better long-term outcomes?”

They look for evidence that SDA would:

• Reduce long-term risk

• Improve independence

• Improve quality of life

• Reduce the need for intensive or costly supports in the future

If SDA helps someone live more safely and independently while reducing long-term support costs, the NDIS sees it as a justified investment.

The Evidence You Need for SDA Approval

One of the biggest challenges families face is collecting strong, clear evidence. The NDIS relies on professional reports that show why a person needs SDA, not just that life is difficult, but that standard housing is unsuitable.

Here’s the type of evidence that makes the biggest impact:

1. OT Functional Capacity Report (FCE) – The Most Important Document

The OT report helps the NDIS understand:

• Daily living limitations

• Mobility and safety concerns

• Assistive technology needs

• Structural housing features required

• Risks in the current living environment

A good OT report clearly links the person’s needs with the specific SDA category being requested.

2. Behavioural Assessment (If Needed)

For participants who experience behaviours of concern, a behaviour practitioner can explain how SDA’s design (like robust materials, safe spaces, reduced triggers) supports wellbeing.

3. Health and Medical Reports

GPs, specialists, neurologists, psychologists, or rehabilitation physicians may provide letters confirming diagnoses, long-term conditions, and how they affect daily function.

4. Support Coordinator Report (Optional but Helpful)

They can outline:

• Current living situation challenges

• Previous housing attempts

• The participant’s goals and needs

• How SDA supports long-term independence

5. LSP Report (Living Supports Profile)

This shows the intensity of daily supports and patterns of care, giving the NDIS a detailed picture of exactly how much assistance the person needs.

Step-by-Step SDA Application Process

Most families follow the same core steps. Here’s the simplest way to understand the process:

Step 1: Confirm There’s a Real Housing Barrier

The NDIS will only consider SDA if:

• The person’s current home is unsafe

• The home doesn’t support their daily needs

• The environment leads to injury, isolation, or distress

• Support workers cannot safely perform their duties

• This is the foundation of the application.

Step 2: Get a Comprehensive OT Housing Assessment

This is the heart of the SDA request.

The OT assesses:

• Functional impairment

• Housing barriers

• Assistive technology needs

• Environmental risks

They recommend a specific SDA category (FA, IL, Robust, HPS).

Step 3: Gather All Supporting Reports

This includes medical letters, behaviour assessments, and support coordinator statements.

Step 4: Complete the NDIS Home and Living Form

This is where you express:

• Current challenges

• Goals

• Why SDA is required

• Why other options won’t work

• How SDA will improve long-term outcomes

This form influences how planners and assessors view your whole situation.

Step 5: Submit an SDA Request (or a Joint ‘Home & Living + SDA’ Request)

Participants can submit:

• A standalone SDA request, or

• A combined request for SDA + SIL + home & living supports

• Most support coordinators help prepare this to ensure all evidence aligns.

Step 6: Wait for the NDIS Decision

NDIS decisions can take up to 90 days, though many are faster. During this period, planners assess evidence and determine:

• Whether SDA is necessary

• Which category is appropriate

• What level of funding is needed

• Whether building type (apartment, villa, group home) is suitable

Step 7: If Approved: Start Exploring SDA Options

Once funding is approved, participants can look for:

• SDA providers

• Vacancies

• Purpose-built homes

• Locations that match lifestyle

• Providers aligned with their values

This is where Tibii’s Human-Centred Approach truly makes a difference, ensuring people choose a home that feels right, not just one that’s available.

Common Reasons SDA Is Not Approved

The NDIS might decline an SDA request if:

• Evidence is weak or vague

• The OT doesn’t clearly match needs to SDA design

• Standard housing modifications might work

• The current home is unsafe but not due to disability

• The link between housing + long-term outcomes is not clear

The solution is nearly always more detailed evidence, not giving up.

Why the Human-Centred Approach Matters in SDA

SDA isn’t just about eligibility. It’s about people being heard, respected, and supported to live with dignity.

At Tibii, we’re proud to be the first in Australia to put the Human-Centred Approach into real practice, supporting people with disabilities through the lens of Human Rights and genuine care. This means we don’t look at SDA as a “funding stream”—we look at it as a deeply personal decision that shapes a person’s comfort, safety, and independence every day.

We advocate, guide, and support families through every step, ensuring the participant’s voice is at the centre of all choices.

Final Thoughts

SDA eligibility may seem overwhelming at first, but when broken down, it becomes a clear, structured pathway. With the right evidence, strong reports, and a provider who genuinely understands the human side of the process, participants can access a home that finally meets their needs physically, emotionally, and safely.

If you want help navigating SDA eligibility or the Home & Living process, I can write the next blog in this SDA series for you. Just tell me the next topic.