When people hear "SDA housing," they often imagine a single type of disability accommodation. In reality, Specialist Disability Accommodation comes in four distinct design categories, each built for a different level of functional need. Understanding these categories is essential whether you're an NDIS participant, a carer, or a support coordinator trying to match someone to the right home.
What Are SDA Design Categories?
The NDIS uses design categories to classify SDA properties based on the level of physical modification and support infrastructure built into the home. Your NDIS plan will specify which design category you're eligible for, based on evidence from occupational therapist assessments and your functional impairment level.
The four categories are:
- High Physical Support
- Robust
- Improved Liveability
- Fully Accessible
Each category represents a different standard of construction and a different participant profile.
1. High Physical Support
Who it's for: People with significant physical impairment who need complex assistive technology infrastructure and may require overnight support.
High Physical Support is the most specialised and highest-funded SDA design category. Properties must be built to provide structural and technical infrastructure for people with the most complex physical needs, including participants who use power wheelchairs, ceiling hoists, or require close overnight on-site support.
What High Physical Support properties include:
- Ceiling hoist provisions: structural reinforcement in ceilings to install or accommodate hoist systems
- Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA) room: a bedroom for a support worker to stay overnight when needed
- Wide corridors and doorways: to accommodate large power wheelchairs without difficulty
- Step-free access throughout: including level entry, zero-threshold showers, and accessible outdoor areas
- Home automation infrastructure: wiring and systems for smart home technology such as voice control, automated lighting, and environmental controls
- Reinforced walls: for grab rail and hoist installation without structural changes
All Innogreen SDA properties are built to High Physical Support standard, with integrated smart home technology as standard. You can view our current SDA vacancies across Perth.
2. Robust
Who it's for: People who may exhibit behaviours of concern that could damage a standard property, or who need a secure, low-stimulus environment.
Robust properties are built to withstand the physical demands of participants who may unintentionally or intentionally damage the home environment. These homes prioritise structural durability and safety, for both the participant and any support workers.
What Robust properties include:
- Impact-resistant walls and fittings: designed to withstand significant physical force
- Reduced fire hazards: materials and fittings selected to minimise fire risk
- Secure outdoor areas: fenced, safe spaces for participants to spend time outdoors without risk of wandering
- Soundproofing: to reduce environmental triggers for participants sensitive to noise
- Secure windows and doors: preventing unauthorised exit while maintaining safety
Robust design is most common for participants with intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, or conditions that involve complex behaviours.
3. Improved Liveability
Who it's for: People with sensory, cognitive, or intellectual impairment who benefit from a better-designed home environment but don't need the full infrastructure of High Physical Support or Robust properties.
Improved Liveability properties are built above standard housing quality with design features that help people navigate and live in their home more safely and comfortably.
What Improved Liveability properties include:
- Improved lighting: brighter, more even lighting to support people with low vision
- Wider doorways: accessible but not necessarily designed for large power wheelchairs
- Better wayfinding design: clear visual contrasts between floors, walls, and fittings to assist navigation
- Lower-stimulus interiors: calmer colour schemes and reduced visual clutter
- Accessible bathroom: step-in or accessible shower, not necessarily roll-in
This category is often suited to participants with conditions such as autism, low vision, or cognitive disability.
4. Fully Accessible
Who it's for: People with significant physical impairment who need full wheelchair access throughout the home, but do not require ceiling hoist provisions or an OOA room.
Fully Accessible properties provide comprehensive wheelchair access, wider corridors, roll-in showers, and level entry throughout, but they're built without the advanced infrastructure of High Physical Support.
What Fully Accessible properties include:
- Level entry and step-free access throughout the entire home
- Roll-in shower and accessible bathroom layout
- Wide corridors and doorways suitable for manual or smaller power wheelchairs
- Accessible kitchen with appropriate bench heights and clearances
- Accessible outdoor areas
How to Find Out Which Category You Need
Your eligibility for SDA, and which design category you qualify for, is determined through your NDIS planning process. To access SDA, you typically need:
- A functional capacity assessment from an occupational therapist
- Evidence of extreme functional impairment or very high support needs
- A housing needs assessment that demonstrates why SDA is appropriate for you
- SDA included in your NDIS plan by your planner or LAC
If you're unsure which category fits your needs, speak with your support coordinator or OT. They can help build the evidence for your plan review.
SDA in Perth with Innogreen
All Innogreen properties are built to High Physical Support standard, the most complex and most funded SDA design category, with smart home technology, solar panels, and OOA rooms built in as standard.
We currently have properties available in Armadale, Baldivis, and Morley. If you're a participant, carer, or support coordinator exploring SDA options in Perth, view our current vacancies or get in touch to discuss eligibility and availability.