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Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Bayswater and Melbourne's East

The right home can make everyday life safer, easier and more your own. Specialist Disability Accommodation is specialist housing for people with disabilities who have very high support needs, designed so the building itself supports independence and wellbeing.

At Care Expert Australia, we help participants and families understand SDA, explore options in Melbourne’s east, and put the right support in place once you’ve moved in. We’re based in Bayswater and support participants across.

Talk About Your Options
03 9798 8893

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is purpose-built or modified housing, funded by the NDIS, for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who meet SDA eligibility. SDA funding pays for the home itself, not the support you receive in it. Most people living in SDA also have separate supports, such as Supported Independent Living (SIL), to help with daily life.

Accessible disability housing designed around your needs

SDA homes include features that standard housing usually doesn’t, depending on the design category. These may include:
  • wider doorways and hallways, step-free access and wheelchair-friendly layouts
  • accessible kitchens and bathrooms, such as adjustable benches and roll-in showers
  • structural provision for ceiling hoists
  • assistive technology and emergency power backup
  • durable, safe materials and areas for quiet retreat
  • design features that support people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive disability, such as clear wayfinding

SDA design categories explained

Every SDA home is built to one of four design categories. The category in your plan reflects the type of housing that suits your needs.
Design category What it's designed for Typical features
Improved Liveability People with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment Improved physical access, clear wayfinding, good lighting and luminance contrast
Fully Accessible People with significant physical impairment High level of physical access throughout, including accessible bathrooms and kitchens
Robust People who may show behaviours of concern, where a safe, resilient home reduces risk Strong, durable materials, reduced maintenance needs, and areas of retreat for residents and support workers
High Physical Support People with significant physical impairment who need very high levels of support Fully accessible design plus structural support for ceiling hoists, assistive technology and emergency power

SDA homes also come in different building types, including apartments, villas, townhouses, houses and small group homes, and can be single or shared. Details for each category are set out in the NDIS SDA design standard.

How we can help

Talk it through

Call 03 9798 8893 or email info@careexpert.com.au. We’ll listen to your goals and explain how SDA and support at home work together.

Understand your plan

We’ll help you understand what’s in your plan, or what to discuss with your support coordinator if SDA isn’t in your plan yet.

Explore homes

We work with SDA providers in Melbourne’s east to help you find a suitable home.We’ll help you think about location, design category, housemates and what matters to you.

Set up support

Once you’ve found a home, we can provide the support you need there, such as supported independent living, personal care or community participation, subject to your plan.

Settle in and review

We help you settle in and keep checking that your home and support are working for you.

SDA and SIL: why they're separate

The NDIS separates the home (SDA) from the support (often SIL). That means your housing provider and support provider can be different organisations. This separation gives you more choice and control: if your support isn’t working, you can change support providers without having to move house.

Specialist Disability Accommodation in Bayswater and Melbourne's east

Bayswater and the surrounding suburbs have a growing number of SDA homes, with good access to shops, public transport and health services. Our office is at 3/15 Railway Parade, Bayswater VIC 3153, and we support participants across.

Why choose Care Expert Australia

  • NDIS registration status, including SIL (group 0138) if supporting people in SDA
  • If applicable: NDIS-registered SDA provider with enrolled dwellings
  • Local team based in Bayswater, contactable on 03 9798 8893 or 0415 383 109
  • SDA providers you partner with, if you can name them
  • Experience supporting people with complex and high physical support needs 
  • One team for support at home, community participation, life skills and nursing supports

Frequently asked questions

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation?

Specialist Disability Accommodation is NDIS-funded housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. It funds the home, not the support provided inside it.

Who is eligible for SDA?

SDA is for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, where specialist housing is the best way to meet those needs. The NDIA decides based on evidence such as an occupational therapy housing assessment.

How much rent do you pay in SDA?

Residents usually pay a reasonable rent contribution of 25% of the base Disability Support Pension plus any Commonwealth Rent Assistance received. You also pay everyday costs like food and utilities.

What are the four SDA design categories?

The four SDA design categories are Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support. Each is designed for different types of disability-related needs.

What's the difference between SDA and SIL?

SDA funds the home, while SIL funds the support workers who help you with daily life at home. Many people in SDA also have SIL, often from a different provider.

Can I choose my SDA home and my support provider separately?

Yes. SDA housing and support are separate, so you can choose your support provider independently and change it without moving house.

Is specialist housing for people with disabilities only shared group homes?

No. SDA includes apartments, villas, townhouses and houses, as well as small shared homes. Some are designed for one person, others for up to a few residents.

Can you help me find SDA in Bayswater?

We can help you explore SDA options in Bayswater and Melbourne’s east and arrange the support you need once you move in. Call 03 9798 8893.
LET’S START WITH YOU

Let’s talk about what matters to you.

Whether you’re exploring options for yourself, someone you care for or a participant you support, we’d be happy to hear from you.

Give us a call
03 9798 8893
0415 383 109
Send us an email
info@careexpert.com.au
Based in Bayswater, Victoria
3/15 Railway Parade, Bayswater VIC 3153
Please contact us to confirm appointments and service availability.

Please don’t include detailed health information or identity documents.