To find an SDA vacancy in Perth, first confirm that Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding is approved in your NDIS plan. Then contact registered SDA providers, check which homes have a vacancy that suits your design category and support needs, and ask each provider about their application and move-in process. This guide explains each step in plain language, so you or your family know what to do and what to ask along the way.
What is SDA, and who is it for?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. The homes have features such as wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, reinforced structures or built-in assistive technology, so the home itself supports your independence and safety.
SDA is funding for the building. It is separate from the support workers who help you day to day. Those supports are funded elsewhere in your plan, for example through Supported Independent Living (SIL). If you want to understand how the two fit together, read our guide to SIL and SDA.
Not every NDIS participant is eligible for SDA. The NDIA decides this based on your disability, your support needs and whether SDA is the most suitable housing option for you. Our SDA eligibility checklist can help you prepare.
Step 1: Check that SDA funding is in your NDIS plan
Before you search for a home, look at your NDIS plan. If SDA funding is approved, it will appear in your plan along with the design category and building type the NDIA considers suitable for you. Providers usually ask for this information early, because it tells them which of their homes you can move into.
If you do not have SDA funding yet, you can still start talking to providers and an occupational therapist about whether SDA is right for you. However, you will need the funding approved before you can move in. Speak to your support coordinator or NDIS planner about the next step, or see our step-by-step guide to SDA applications.
Step 2: Understand the four SDA design categories
SDA homes are built to one of four design categories. Knowing which one matches your plan makes your search much faster.
| Design category | Who it suits | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Liveability | People with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairments | Clear layouts, good lighting, features that reduce confusion and support independence |
| Robust | People whose behaviours may put the home at risk | Durable construction and design that keeps everyone safe |
| Fully Accessible | People with significant mobility needs | Step-free access, wide doorways, accessible bathrooms and kitchens |
| High Physical Support | People with very high physical support needs | Everything in Fully Accessible plus assistive technology, power backup and space for equipment and carers |
SDA Homes WA offers homes in all four categories. If you need to understand the highest-need category, read about High Physical Support SDA in Perth.
Step 3: Decide on the type of home and the area
Before you contact providers, think about what living arrangement suits you best. Some people prefer a private home or apartment. Others like shared living, where a small number of residents share a home and the company of housemates. Our post on shared vs individual SDA housing in Perth sets out the pros and cons.
Location matters too. Think about the following:
- how close you want to be to family, friends and your current community;
- access to public transport, shops, medical services and therapy;
- whether you already have support workers or providers in a particular area;
- your preferred suburb or part of Perth.
SDA Homes WA has homes across the Perth metropolitan area, including Maddington, Thornlie, Gosnells, Hilbert, Success, Midland, Belmont, Bentley, Wanneroo, Clarkson, Nollamara, Brabham, Dayton, Hocking and Safety Bay. You can browse the available properties on our Our Homes page.
Step 4: Where to look for SDA vacancies in Perth
There is no single list of every SDA vacancy in Western Australia, so it helps to use several sources at once:
- SDA providers’ websites. Registered providers usually list their homes and current availability. Start with providers that operate in the suburbs you prefer.
- Your support coordinator. Coordinators often know which providers have vacancies or are about to, and can make introductions on your behalf.
- Your occupational therapist. If you have had an SDA assessment, your OT may know which homes match your recommended design category.
- Enquiry forms and phone calls. Vacancies change quickly. Contacting a provider directly is often the fastest way to find out what is available now or soon.
- Waitlists. If nothing suitable is available today, ask to join a waitlist so the provider contacts you when a home opens up.
When you are comparing providers, our guide on how to choose the best SDA provider sets out what to look for.
Step 5: Questions to ask about each vacancy
When a provider tells you about a home, ask these questions so you can compare properly:
- What is the design category, and does it match my NDIS plan?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms does the home have, and is the room private?
- How many people will live in the home, and are they a good fit for my needs and lifestyle?
- Which support provider delivers care in the home, and can I use my own SIL or support provider?
- What is the rent, and what does it include?
- How close is the home to transport, shops, medical care and therapy?
- What does the application process involve, and how long does it usually take?
- What happens if I want to leave or my needs change?
Take notes, and ask for answers in writing where you can. This makes it much easier to compare more than one option.
Step 6: Apply and prepare to move in
Once you have found a home that suits you, the provider will usually ask for some information. This often includes:
- your NDIS plan, showing SDA funding and your design category;
- a recent assessment or report from your occupational therapist or other health professional;
- details about your support needs and daily routine;
- contact details for your support coordinator or other representatives.
The provider will then consider whether the home is suitable, and in shared homes whether you are compatible with the existing residents. You may be invited to visit the home, meet the team and see the house before deciding. When you agree to go ahead, you will sign a residential agreement. Take time to read it, and have someone you trust read it with you.
Our checklist for moving into SDA accommodation covers what to organise before moving day. You can also read the steps on our How It Works page.
What does SDA cost the participant?
SDA funding is paid by the NDIS to the provider. As a tenant, you normally pay a reasonable rent contribution. This is commonly calculated from the Disability Support Pension and any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you receive. Amounts change from time to time, so check the current figures with the NDIS and ask the provider to explain exactly what you will pay.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for the perfect vacancy. Homes in the right location and category may be limited. Join waitlists and keep contacting providers.
- Only contacting one provider. Talk to several, so you can compare homes, housemates and support arrangements.
- Ignoring the support side. A good home needs good support. Ask who provides daily support and how it works in practice.
- Not involving your support team. Your support coordinator, OT and family can spot issues you might miss.
- Rushing to sign. Take time to visit, ask questions and read the agreement before you commit.
How SDA Homes WA can help
SDA Homes WA is a registered NDIS provider (SDA Homes WA Pty Ltd, ABN 92 682 629 385, NDIS organisation ID 4050170867) based at 71 Mannikin Way, Maddington WA 6109. We provide High Physical Support, Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible and Robust homes across the Perth metropolitan area, and we can talk you through what is available and how the process works.
- Phone: 0456 251 522
- Email: info@sdahomeswa.com.au
- Browse homes: Our Homes
- Questions: SDA FAQ and SDA and NDIS information
Ready to ask about a home? Contact SDA Homes WA and we will tell you what is available and what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find SDA vacancies in Perth?
Contact registered SDA providers directly, ask your support coordinator and occupational therapist, and check provider websites for current availability. Ask to join waitlists for homes that match your design category.
Do I need SDA funding in my NDIS plan before I apply?
You can start talking to providers before your funding is approved, but you will need SDA funding in your plan before you can move into an SDA home.
What is the difference between SDA and SIL?
SDA pays for the specially designed home. SIL (Supported Independent Living) pays for the support workers who help you in that home. They are funded separately in your plan.
How long does it take to get into an SDA home?
It depends on your funding, the availability of suitable homes and how quickly assessments and paperwork are completed. Ask each provider for an estimate and keep your support team involved.
How much rent do I pay in SDA?
Participants usually pay a reasonable rent contribution based on the Disability Support Pension and Commonwealth Rent Assistance. Ask the provider for a written breakdown.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check your own NDIS plan and the NDIS website for current rules.
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