How to Qualify for NDIS Disability Housing in 2026

The Quick Version

• Only 6% of NDIS participants qualify for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)—you need extreme functional impairment or very high support needs
• From 1 July 2026, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers will need to start the transition to become registered.
• Housing and support are funded separately—SDA pays for the building; SIL pays for the care inside it
• The NDIS does not pay rent or everyday living costs like groceries and utilities
• Prepare strong evidence, including a Functional Capacity Assessment and Roster of Care for your application

Finding the right housing when you or someone you love is living with a disability can feel overwhelming. The NDIS offers pathways to secure, purpose-built accommodation—but understanding who qualifies, what’s funded, and how to apply requires navigating complex rules that change frequently.

In 2026, major reforms are reshaping NDIS disability housing. New provider registration requirements, updated assessment processes, and clearer funding definitions mean the landscape looks different from even 12 months ago.

This guide cuts through the complexity. Whether you’re an NDIS participant researching your options, a family member advocating for a loved one, or a Support Coordinator seeking clarity for your clients, you’ll find the current eligibility criteria, application steps, and practical advice you need to move forward with confidence.

What’s Changed in 2026

Mandatory SIL Provider Registration

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has confirmed that all Supported Independent Living providers will need to start the transition to be registered from 1 July 2026. This is a significant shift.

Previously, unregistered providers could deliver SIL to participants who self-managed or used a plan manager or self managed. That era is ending. From July, every SIL provider must meet the same standards as registered providers—including independent audits, worker screening, and incident management systems.

What this means for you: If you’re currently receiving SIL from an unregistered provider, confirm their registration plans well before July. If they can’t or won’t register, you’ll need to find an alternative provider.

New Framework Planning

The NDIA is rolling out “New Framework Planning” from mid-2026. This represents a fundamental shift from planning based on individual support items to planning based on overall budgets.

Under the new approach, your funding will be determined through a Support Needs Assessment (SNA)—a structured conversation with trained assessors using standardised tools. For participants aged 16 and over, this includes the I-CAN v6 assessment, which measures support needs across multiple life domains.

The goal is fairer, more consistent decisions. The transition will take approximately five years, so most participants won’t experience immediate changes—but it’s worth understanding what’s coming.

Clearer Funding Definitions

The Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1 Act 2024 has tightened definitions of what the NDIS will and won’t fund. Section 10 of the amended Act now explicitly lists inclusions and exclusions.

For housing, this creates a clearer separation: the NDIS funds disability-related housing supports (like SDA and SIL), but day-to-day living costs remain your responsibility. This was always the case, but enforcement is now stricter.

Types of NDIS Disability Housing

The NDIS funds several housing pathways. Understanding the difference is essential—because you may qualify for one but not another, and each serves a distinct purpose.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

SDA is purpose-built or modified housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Think of it as the “bricks and mortar”—the physical dwelling itself.

Only around 6% of NDIS participants are eligible for SDA. It’s designed for people who need specialised housing features that mainstream housing simply cannot provide.

SDA properties fall into four design categories:

To qualify for SDA, the NDIA assesses three questions:

1. Do you have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs?
2. Do you have a specialist housing needs requirement that mainstream housing cannot meet?
3. Does funding SDA represent value for money and support your goals?

Explore Specialist Disability Accommodation options in Perth to see what purpose-built housing looks like in practice.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

While SDA is the house, SIL is the care provided inside it. SIL funding covers daily support services—help with personal care, cooking, cleaning, medication management, and overnight assistance.

SIL is designed for participants who require substantial support throughout the day, typically including some level of overnight support. It’s usually provided in shared accommodation where support workers rotate through shifts.

SIL funding does not cover rent, groceries, or utilities. These remain your responsibility.

Funding is calculated based on your required support hours, staff ratios (1:1, 1:2, or 1:3), and shift types. Annual funding can range from approximately $170,000 for lower-intensity shared support to $300,000+ for complex 1:1 arrangements.

Learn more about Home and Living supports in Western Australia.

Individualised Living Options (ILO)

ILO offers a more flexible alternative to traditional SIL. Rather than living in a group home with rostered support workers, ILO lets you design a customised arrangement—perhaps living with a host family, sharing with a housemate who provides some support, or creating a unique setup that suits your life.

ILO funding comes in two stages:

Stage 1: Exploration and Design: Up to 100 hours of funding to explore options, find the right arrangement, and create a service proposal.

Stage 2: Implementation: Ongoing funding (typically capped at $105,000–$230,000 annually) to support your chosen living arrangement.

ILO suits participants who want more control over where and with whom they live, and who don’t necessarily need 24/7 rostered support.

Other Housing Supports

The NDIS also funds:

• Short Term Respite (STR): Temporary accommodation away from your usual home, often called respite. Useful for carer breaks or trialling independent living. Explore STA options.
• Medium Term Accommodation (MTA): Bridging accommodation (up to 90 days) while you wait for permanent housing to become available.
• Home Modifications: Changes to your existing home to make it accessible—grab rails, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, ramps.

Who Qualifies for NDIS Housing?

General NDIS Eligibility First

Before accessing any housing supports, you must be an NDIS participant. This requires:

• Being aged 7–65 when you apply
• Being an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen with a Special Category Visa
• Having a permanent and significant disability that affects your daily life and requires ongoing support

Housing-Specific Eligibility

Having NDIS eligibility does not automatically grant access to housing supports. Housing is assessed separately based on stricter criteria.

The NDIA will consider housing funding when:

• Mainstream housing options (public housing, private rental, family home) cannot meet your disability-related needs
• Community services cannot adequately support you
• Informal support from family and friends is insufficient
• Specialised housing is deemed “reasonable and necessary” for your goals

For SDA specifically, you must demonstrate either:

1. Extreme functional impairment – Very significant impairment requiring specialised housing features for safety and independence
2. Very high support needs – Requiring substantial person-to-person support for a significant part of the day, with immediate access when needed

For SIL specifically, you generally need to show:

• Requirement for regular support throughout the day (often 24/7)
• Need for some level of overnight support
• Inability to live safely alone or with informal supports only
• Significant functional impairment affecting daily activities

How to Apply for Housing Supports

Step 1: Establish Housing Goals

Ensure your NDIS plan reflects your housing aspirations. Your goals don’t need to specifically mention “SDA” or “SIL”—but they should highlight your desire for independence, stability, safety, and long-term housing security.

Working with a Support Coordinator can help you articulate these goals effectively during planning meetings.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Strong evidence is the foundation of a successful application. You’ll need:

• Functional Capacity Assessment: Usually completed by an Occupational Therapist. This details how your disability affects daily life across mobility, communication, self-care, self-management, learning, and social interaction.
• Medical and allied health reports: Supporting documentation from GPs, specialists, psychologists, or behaviour support practitioners.
• Roster of Care (for SIL): A detailed breakdown of your daily support hours and staffing requirements, developed with your proposed provider.
• Housing Solution Report (for SDA): Evidence explaining why mainstream housing is unsuitable and which SDA design category meets your needs.

The NDIA’s Home and Living team makes decisions based solely on written documentation. They won’t meet you in person. This means your evidence must clearly tell your story.

Step 3: Complete the Supporting Evidence Form

Submit the Supporting Evidence Form – Home and Living
(This replaced the previous Home and Living Supports Request Form in June 2022.)

You can submit the form via:

• Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au
• Mail: NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
• In person: at your local NDIS office
• Online: through the myplace portal

It is also recommended that you lodge a Change of Situation (or Change of Details) form, or contact the NCC (National Contact Centre) to formally notify them of the change. This helps ensure the NDIS actively reviews the supporting documentation, as documents provided without a formal notification may not be assessed.

Timing tip: If you would prefer your request to be considered alongside your scheduled plan review, submit within 100 days of your current plan’s end date.

Step 4: Wait for Assessment

The NDIA aims to finalise decisions within 90 days, though complex cases may take longer. If approved, your plan will be updated to include housing supports.

If your application is unsuccessful, you can:

• Request an internal review
• Submit additional evidence
• Appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

What the NDIS Won’t Pay For

Understanding exclusions prevents frustration and helps you budget realistically.

For SIL, the NDIS does not fund:

• Rent (you pay a Reasonable Rent Contribution, currently around $495 per fortnight for single participants)
• Groceries and food
• Utilities (electricity, gas, water)
• Internet and phone
• Furniture and household items
• General property maintenance
• Mortgage payments or property purchases

These are considered ordinary living costs that all Australians pay, regardless of disability.

How St Jude’s Supports Your Housing Journey

Navigating NDIS disability housing is complex. That’s where experienced, registered providers make the difference.

St Jude’s Health Care Services has supported Western Australians with disabilities for over 40 years. As a registered NDIS provider, we offer an integrated model that connects housing, support, and allied health under one roof—reducing complexity and creating continuity of care.

Our housing and living supports include:

• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) across Perth metro and regional WA
• Supported Independent Living with 24/7 support options
• Short Term Accommodation for respite and transition
• Flexible in-home support for participants living independently

What sets St Jude’s apart:

• Integrated allied health: Our Occupational Therapists and allied health team can complete Functional Capacity Assessments and support your housing application with expert evidence.
• Support Coordination: Our Support Coordinators help you navigate the application process, gather evidence, and connect with services.
• Psychosocial specialisation – For participants living with mental health conditions, our Recovery Coaching and mental health accommodation provide tailored pathways to stable housing.
• Local WA presence: From our Guildford hub to regional centres in Bunbury and the South West, we understand the Western Australian landscape.

Whether you’re starting your housing journey or transitioning between providers ahead of the July 2026 registration deadline, our team is here to help.

Take the Next Step

NDIS disability housing can provide the stability, safety, and independence you or your loved one deserves. But accessing it requires understanding the rules, gathering strong evidence, and working with providers who know the system.

If you’re exploring housing options in Western Australia, contact St Jude’s to speak with our team. Whether you need help understanding your eligibility, preparing your application, or finding the right accommodation, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Call us on (08) 9279 4343 or reach out through our website to start the conversation.

This guide reflects NDIS policy as of February 2026. Housing rules can change—always verify current requirements at ndis.gov.au or with your Support Coordinator.