NDIS & SDA Glossary

Navigating the world of NDIS and Specialist Disability Accommodation can feel overwhelming, especially when you're encountering unfamiliar terms and acronyms for the first time. We've put together this glossary to help participants, families, and support coordinators quickly understand the key concepts involved in the SDA process, from eligibility and design categories to funding arrangements and plan reviews. Whether you're just starting to explore your housing options or you're already on the path to securing SDA funding, this guide is here to make things clearer.

Download the NDIS & SDA Glossary here.

A

Appendix H - An NDIS funding arrangement that enables participants to live with family members, partners or friends who are not funded or eligible for SDA.

B

Build Type - Type of SDA property (e.g., apartment, villa, duplex, house, group home). SDA funding includes allowances based on build type.

C

Change of Circumstance - A formal request submitted to the NDIA when a participant's situation has changed (e.g., housing is no longer suitable), which can trigger a plan reassessment. Required when seeking SDA funding if not already included in the participant's plan.

D

Design Category (SDA Design Category) - SDA is split into four design categories based on participant needs: Improved Liveability Fully Accessible High Physical Support Robust Each category has different design and functional features.

E

Eligibility for SDA - SDA is only available to a small percentage of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Eligibility is determined through evidence and NDIA assessment. Check eligibility here with our free SDA Eligibility Tool.

F

Fully Accessible - SDA design category for those with significant physical challenges. Design includes wide doorways and hallways, and step-free.

Functional Capacity Assessment - An Occupational Therapist or allied health report assessing a participant’s ability to complete daily tasks and live independently. Essential evidence for SDA applications.

H

High Physical Support - SDA design category for those who need very high levels of support.. Homes include a high level of physical access.

L

Living Supports - Refers to all supports needed to live independently or with others. Can include Supported Independent Living (SIL), In-Home Supports, or Individualised Living Options (ILO).

N

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) - The government agency that implements and oversees the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). NDIS Plan Review A scheduled or unscheduled reassessment of a participant’s NDIS goals and funding. Often triggered by a Change of Circumstances submission.

P

Participant Statement - Part of the NDIS planning documents where participants outline their goals, preferences, and needs. Should mention housing goals if SDA is being pursued. Plan Nominee A person formally appointed to act on behalf of a participant in managing their plan, including decisions around SDA.

R

Reasonable & Necessary - A legal requirement that all NDIS supports must meet. SDA must be considered reasonable and necessary to meet a participant’s needs for the funding to be approved.

Robust Design Category - A design category of SDA intended for participants who may have complex behaviours and need a home that is durable and safe (e.g., reinforced walls, secure areas).

S

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) - Funding provided under the NDIS for participants who need a specially designed home due to extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

SDA Enrolment - A formal process where the property is registered with the NDIA to be eligible for SDA payments.

SDA Price Guide - An NDIA document outlining funding amounts based on design category, location, dwelling type, and participant needs.

SDA Provider - An organisation that owns or manages SDA-enrolled dwellings. They are responsible for the bricks-and-mortar property, not the support services.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) - Paid supports that help participants with daily living tasks in shared or individual housing. Often (but not always) delivered alongside SDA.

Support Coordinator (SC) - An NDIS-funded role that helps participants implement their plan, coordinate supports, and connect with services — including navigating the SDA process.

T

Tenant Matching - The process of matching participants with compatible housemates in shared SDA. Often done by SDA and SIL providers with input from Support Coordinators and participants.

V

Very High Support Needs - A criterion for SDA eligibility referring to participants who require sustained and intensive support with most or all areas of daily living.