What is annual SDA indexation?
Each 1 July, updated SDA pricing takes effect for the new financial year. This article explains how the adjustment works, what it may mean for your SDA funding, and which costs follow a different timetable.
SDA indexation adjusts the price limits that registered SDA providers can claim for eligible dwellings. The National Disability Insurance Agency publishes updated SDA pricing arrangements, including annual and daily amounts for different property types and locations.
The percentage is not guaranteed to be the same every year. For example, you can read about the 2026 SDA pricing increase and how it affected published rates.
For Perth residents, the updated amount usually applies from 1 July based on the support provided from that date. It does not normally require a new SDA eligibility decision.
Which SDA amount changes on 1 July?
The updated price depends on more than the national indexation percentage. The NDIA pricing tables take account of your SDA design category, dwelling type, number of residents, building characteristics and location factor.
A Perth apartment may therefore have a different annual price from a comparable house in regional Western Australia. The indexation adjustment is applied within the relevant pricing arrangements rather than as a single payment made directly to you.
| Item | Usual timing | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| SDA price limits | 1 July | Provider claim limits |
| NDIS pricing arrangements | 1 July | Current support prices and rules |
| Reasonable Rent Contribution | March and September | Your rent contribution |
| Utilities | When charges change | Your household expenses |
Your provider should claim the rate that applies to the service date. Claims for accommodation provided before 1 July use the previous financial year’s pricing.
For more detail about provider claims and participant contributions, see how SDA payments work.
What does not change through SDA indexation?
Reasonable Rent Contribution, often called RRC, does not generally change because of the 1 July SDA pricing update. It is calculated using the Disability Support Pension base rate, Pension Supplement and Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which are generally indexed on 20 March and 20 September.
You should not assume your rent contribution will rise at the start of the financial year. Ask your SDA provider for written notice explaining any RRC adjustment and the date it begins.
SDA funding also pays for the dwelling itself, not your daily living expenses. You remain responsible for:
- Electricity, water and gas
- Internet and telephone services
- Groceries and personal expenses
- Your RRC payment
Building insurance and property maintenance are the SDA provider’s responsibility. Support workers are also funded separately, such as through Supported Independent Living or other assistance in your NDIS plan. Our article on SDA and SIL funding differences explains how these supports can operate together.
How can you check the new rate?
Start by confirming the details used to calculate the property’s SDA price. These should match your NDIS SDA approval and the dwelling’s enrolment information.
Check the following:
- Your approved SDA design category.
- The dwelling type, such as apartment, villa or house.
- The approved number of residents.
- The Perth or WA location factor.
- Whether the dwelling is new build or existing stock.
- The effective date shown on the provider’s calculation.
You can compare the figures using the SDA price calculator. You may also find it helpful to review SDA design categories explained before checking the property details.
If the amount does not match, ask your provider for a written breakdown. A routine annual adjustment should not be used to change your approved design category, bedroom arrangement or tenancy terms.
Keep copies of your service agreement, rent notices and NDIS correspondence. If your plan does not appear to reflect the current SDA pricing, contact your support coordinator, plan manager or the NDIA before agreeing to any new charge.
Summary and next steps
SDA indexation updates provider price limits from 1 July, but the result depends on the dwelling and its location. RRC changes generally follow pension and Commonwealth Rent Assistance indexation in March and September, while utilities remain your responsibility.
Check your property details, compare the current rate and request a written explanation if something looks incorrect. If you need help checking SDA pricing for a Perth property, contact the Innogreen team.