TL;DR:

The NDIA has launched a full review of the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standard, partnering with KPMG Australia to modernize housing for participants with high support needs. Consultations begin late 2025, focusing on feedback from participants, families, builders, and providers. The goal: smarter, safer, and more adaptable homes.

SDA 101: Why Specialist Housing Matters in the NDIS Mix

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) was introduced in 2016 as a cornerstone of the NDIS, providing purpose-built homes for people with significant physical or cognitive disabilities. Designed for independence and safety, SDA housing includes accessible layouts, reinforced bathrooms, and assistive technology integration.

While the current Design Standard has improved housing access, critics say some designs are outdated or fail to reflect diverse disabilities. With rapid tech advances—think smart sensors, AI-enabled monitoring, and modular layouts—it’s time for a refresh that balances innovation, cost, and inclusivity.

The Review Lowdown: Process, Players, and Timeline

The NDIA’s new review is about listening first and acting second. In collaboration with KPMG Australia, the agency aims to crowdsource insights from people living in or building SDA homes.

Key Focus Areas:

• Relevance of Current Rules: Do today’s standards align with modern housing practices?
• Lived Experience: How well do current homes serve residents’ daily lives?
• Innovation Integration: How can new technologies enhance accessibility and safety?
• Cost & Feasibility: Balancing affordability for providers with quality for participants.

Who’s Involved:

• Participants & Families: Especially current SDA residents and their carers.
• Providers & Builders: Developers, architects, and support providers.
• Allied Health & Policy Experts: Offering evidence-based insights into design practicality.

Timeline:

• Late 2025: Consultation sessions begin (virtual and in-person).
• Early 2026: Findings and draft updates released for feedback.
• Mid-2026: Final recommendations published by the NDIA.

This open, collaborative process highlights a shift toward co-design—acknowledging that lived experience is as valuable as technical expertise.

What Could Change? Implications for Participants and Providers

For Participants:

Updated SDA standards could usher in more flexible, tech-enabled homes—smart lighting, voice-activated systems, adaptive floor plans—designed to evolve with changing needs. This could boost independence and reduce long-term care costs.

For Providers & Developers:

The review presents a chance to streamline construction standards, reduce approval bottlenecks, and advocate for pricing updates if new designs raise costs. However, there’s concern that stricter design mandates without pricing reform might squeeze smaller providers.

Overall, this review seeks a balance: equity, innovation, and affordability—ensuring SDA housing delivers dignity and choice, not compromise.

Your Playbook: Get Involved and Stay in the Loop

Want to help shape the future of SDA housing? Here’s how to contribute:

• Register Your Interest: Join the consultation mailing list or fill out the online registration form.
• Review the Discussion Paper: Once released, share your feedback—every perspective matters.
• Participate in Home Visits: If invited, walk NDIA reps through your home’s features and challenges.
• Stay Connected: Follow updates on the NDIS SDA webpage and sign up for newsletters.
• Collaborate Through Advocacy Groups: Join networks like the Australian Network on Disability or SDA Alliance for collective impact.

Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Homes That Empower

This SDA Design Standard review is more than a technical update—it’s a reaffirmation of the NDIS’s promise: choice, control, and community inclusion. By integrating innovation, accessibility, and lived experience, Australia can set a global benchmark for disability-friendly housing.

It’s not about building more homes; it’s about building better ones—homes that adapt, empower, and inspire.

FAQs

1. What is the SDA Design Standard?
   It’s the official framework that defines how Specialist Disability Accommodation must be built to meet NDIS quality and accessibility requirements.
2. Why is it being reviewed now?
   To ensure standards reflect modern technology, accessibility innovations, and participant diversity.
3. Who can participate in the review?
   Participants, families, builders, developers, allied health professionals, and advocacy groups.
4. How can feedback be submitted?
   Through online surveys, written submissions, or participation in consultation sessions hosted by NDIA and KPMG.
5. When will the new standard take effect?
   Consultations close in early 2026, with final recommendations expected mid-year.