Appendix H Explained: How to Live in SDA With Family, a Partner or a Friend

A question we often hear from NDIS participants is not just ‘where’ they want to live, but ‘who’ they want to live with. Home is much more than a building, it’s about how the space makes us feel, and for some, home feels best when living with family.

Appendix H is the part of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) SDA pricing rules that makes this possible for participants in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). At Vera Living, we help participants and their families to find a suitable SDA home they can share.

Appendix H at a Glance

What Is Appendix H?

Appendix H was introduced in the 2023-24 NDIS SDA Pricing Arrangements. It enables participants to live with family members, partners or friends who are not funded by, or eligible for, SDA.

What Does Appendix H Do?

Appendix H allows a participant to live with non-NDIS family members, partners or friends. It affects how much SDA funding the participant receives, based on their living arrangements with another person.

In short, it helps keep families and loved ones together and gives participants greater choice and control, by adjusting funding so they can live with the people they choose.

How Is Appendix H Different From Standard SDA?

Who Can Use Appendix H?

Appendix H is for:

SDA participants who have live-in family members who are not SDA eligible
SDA participants who want to live with non-SDA family members or partners

The people living with you do not need to have a disability or be NDIS participants. Appendix H supports shared living even when the participant is the only person receiving SDA funding.

What Does Appendix H Look Like in Real Life?

Every household is different. Here are three examples of the kind of arrangements Appendix H is designed for. They are illustrative only, not real clients.

A parent and their adult son. A mum has cared for her son for years. With Appendix H, she can move into his accessible SDA home with him, rather than the two of them having to live apart.
A couple starting out. A participant and their partner want to share a home of their own, with the accessibility features the participant needs built in.
Friends who choose each other. A participant wants to live with a close friend who isn't an NDIS participant, in a home that suits them both.

“To see Josh explore and fully access his new home has been incredibly heart-warming. Being able to provide the care I want to give Josh in a safe, accessible home has been wonderful. We’re now trialling walkers, knowing he has plenty of room to use them, and we’ve started getting him down on the floor again, which he loves and haven’t been able to do for years.” - Mother of Tenant, Appendix H home

Step-by-Step: Appendix H Funding

NDIS plan approval. Your NDIS planner may have already approved Appendix H in your plan, or discussed it with you during a planning meeting.
Exploring SDA options. Vera Living helps you identify a suitable SDA home that meets your needs.
Quote and pricing. Once a home is identified, we provide a quote based on Appendix H pricing for your approved design category.
Tenant contributions. We discuss and negotiate additional rental contributions with any non-NDIS tenants you wish to live with, so the arrangement is fair and sustainable for everyone.
Service provider choice. If you need a service provider, we can introduce providers we collaborate with, or you can bring your own supports.

Download our step-by-step Appendix H timeline.

How Vera Living Supports Appendix H Families

We understand that for some people, home means living with family. Our team works closely with participants and their support networks to navigate Appendix H funding and enable families to live together in SDA homes. We offer tailored guidance and practical support every step of the way, helping you secure an SDA home that meets your needs and supports your goals.

We are proud to have supported numerous families and partners to live together, working flexibly with each participant to achieve the best outcomes for them.

Is Appendix H Right for You?

A few questions can help you work out whether Appendix H might suit you. If you answer yes to most of them, it's worth talking to us.

Do you have, or are you working towards, SDA funding in your NDIS plan?
Is there someone you want to live with, or already live with, who isn't SDA eligible?
Can you explain why living together matters for your wellbeing?
Do you have a planner, Support Coordinator or allied health team who can support your case?
Are you comfortable with the person living with you contributing to rent?

Not sure about the first question? Try our free SDA Eligibility Tool to find out how likely you are to qualify for SDA funding.

Where Are Appendix H Homes Available?

Looking for an SDA home you can share with the people you love? Vera Living has SDA homes in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

Appendix H homes aren’t available in every location, and what’s on offer depends on the area, the design category you need and what’s vacant at the time. We’ll work closely with you to find a home that suits your needs, lifestyle and community. If the right home isn’t available in your area yet, we’ll be upfront about it and talk through your options.

See current Appendix H homes and vacancies.

What Types of Homes Are Available Under Appendix H?

Vera Living offers contemporary SDA homes that support shared family living. These can be apartments or houses that include:

Open-plan, spacious living
Full accessibility
Ample storage
Smart assistive technology
Outdoor areas

We make sure the home works for the participant and their loved ones.

SDA and Appendix H FAQs

About SDA

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
SDA is NDIS funding for the home itself, not for the care or support you receive in it. It pays for specially designed housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, so your home is built around your accessibility requirements.

Who is eligible for SDA?
SDA is for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet the NDIS criteria for specialist housing. Not everyone with an NDIS plan qualifies, and eligibility is assessed individually. Our free SDA Eligibility Tool is a good place to start.

Does SDA cover my support services?
No. SDA funds the home, not the supports you receive in it. Daily supports, such as personal care or help with meals, are funded separately in your NDIS plan. You can choose your own support provider, or we can introduce you to providers we work with.

Do I pay rent in an SDA home?
Yes. You pay a rent contribution, and the NDIS pays SDA funding to the provider on top of that. Your contribution is set under NDIS rules and is generally based on a portion of your Disability Support Pension plus any Commonwealth Rent Assistance. You’re also responsible for everyday living costs like groceries and utilities. If someone lives with you under Appendix H, their rent is separate and negotiated with us. Read our guide to SDA costs and rent.

How do I know if SDA funding is in my plan?
SDA funding only appears in your plan once the NDIA has assessed you as eligible and approved it. If you’re not sure, check your plan or ask your planner or Support Coordinator. If you don’t have it yet, our free SDA Eligibility Tool can show you how likely you are to qualify.

What are the SDA design categories?
There are four: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support. Each suits different needs, from improved access through to extensive built-in assistive features. Your NDIS planner approves the category in your plan, based on your needs and goals.

About Appendix H

Who can live with me under Appendix H?
A partner, parent, sibling, child, other relative or friend can live with you, even if they aren’t NDIS participants. Each situation is assessed individually and needs a strong case explaining why shared living is important for your wellbeing. See our Appendix H guide.

Do my loved ones need to have a disability to live with me?
No. They don’t need to have a disability or be NDIS participants. Appendix H supports shared living even when you’re the only person receiving SDA funding.

How do I apply for Appendix H?
You’ll need:

An SDA eligibility assessment
Evidence showing why living with your loved ones is important
Support from your NDIS planner or Support Coordinator
A trusted SDA provider to help you find a home

We work alongside you, your family and your allied health team to build your case.

Does Appendix H mean I’ll wait longer for housing?
Not necessarily. Because your needs are more specific, it may take time to find or build the right home. Vera Living will support you at every stage, from eligibility to move-in.

Is it more expensive to live with family?
Your own rent contribution is set under NDIS rules. The people who live with you pay rent separately, usually at a commercial or market rate that reflects household cost-sharing or local rental conditions. We negotiate this with you and them so the arrangement is fair and sustainable. For more information, you can see the NDIS pricing arrangements here.

What happens if my circumstances change?
Appendix H pricing applies only while the shared living arrangement continues, so a change in who lives with you can change your SDA funding. If your household changes, for example a new baby arrives or a family member moves out, tell us early. We’ll work with you to make sure your home and supports continue to meet your needs.

Can I choose where I live?
Location matters, and your home should feel right for you. We’ll work with you to explore available SDA properties that meet Appendix H requirements and suit your needs, lifestyle and community. We can’t offer every location, but we’ll do our best to find a home in an area that feels like the right fit. View current Appendix H vacancies.

What happens to the other residents if I move out?
The tenancy is with you as the NDIS participant, so other residents can only live in the home while you do. If you move out, they will need to move too.

What makes Vera Living different?
We go beyond eligibility. We focus on your goals, your loved ones and what “home” really means. We’ll guide you through the Appendix H pathway and make sure your voice is heard every step of the way.

For more information, see our SDA FAQs page.

Check Your SDA Eligibility

Vera Living’s SDA Eligibility Tool is a free platform developed with SDA Services. It guides you through questions aligned with the legislative criteria used to assess SDA eligibility, takes less than 10 minutes, and shows how likely you are to meet the requirements for funding. Try the SDA Eligibility Tool.

Ready to Talk About Living Together?

Whether you’re just starting to explore Appendix H or already have a home in mind, our team is happy to talk it through with you and your family. Get in touch with our friendly team today.

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