Getting SDA funding approved in your NDIS plan is a significant milestone. But for many participants, the hardest question comes after approval: what happens next?
The process between having SDA in your plan and actually moving into a purpose-built home involves several steps that are not always well explained. This guide covers every stage of the journey so you know what to expect and can plan ahead.
Step 1: Understand Your SDA Funding
Before you start looking at properties, you need to understand exactly what your plan covers. SDA funding in your NDIS plan will specify:
- Design category: High Physical Support, Robust, Improved Liveability or Fully Accessible. This determines the type of property you are funded for. Read our SDA Design Categories Explained guide for details on each category.
- Dwelling type: Apartment, townhouse, duplex or house
- Resident ratio: Whether your funding covers a single-resident or shared dwelling (typically one or two residents)
- Funding amount: The maximum SDA payment the NDIA will pay, which is set by the SDA price guide and depends on your design category and location
Your support coordinator can help you read your plan and understand what these details mean for your housing options.
Step 2: Start Your Property Search
With your funding details clear, you can begin looking for suitable SDA properties. In Perth, SDA homes are built and managed by registered SDA providers like Innogreen Homes.
What to Look For
When evaluating properties, consider:
- Location relative to your support network, medical services, public transport and community activities
- Design compliance with your funded SDA design category
- Smart home features including voice control, automated security and environmental control units
- Resident configuration — single or shared — and whether the layout suits your preferences
- Energy efficiency features like solar panels, which reduce your ongoing living costs
- Provider reputation and responsiveness — how quickly do they respond to maintenance requests and how experienced are they with SDA tenancies
Where to Search
SDA vacancies in Perth are listed through several channels:
- SDA provider websites like Innogreen Homes, which list current and upcoming properties
- Housing Hub (housinghub.org.au), a national database of SDA vacancies
- Your support coordinator, who may have direct relationships with local SDA providers
- NDIS provider finder on the NDIS website
For a detailed walkthrough of the search process, read our guide on How to Find SDA Housing in Perth.
Step 3: Express Interest and Apply
Once you identify a suitable property, you will need to express interest to the SDA provider. The application process typically involves:
- Providing your NDIS plan or a plan extract showing your SDA funding details
- Sharing your OT assessment that supports your SDA eligibility and design category
- Completing a tenant application form with your personal details and support needs 4 Attending an inspection or viewing either in person or via video call if you cannot visit
The SDA provider will assess whether the property is a good match for your needs. This is not a competitive process in the same way as a standard rental application. The provider is looking for compatibility between the property's design features and your functional requirements.
Step 4: Sign the Tenancy Agreement
If both you and the provider agree the property is a suitable match, the next step is signing a tenancy agreement. SDA tenancies in Western Australia are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act and include some SDA-specific provisions:
- The agreement is between you and the SDA provider as the landlord
- Rent is typically set at a percentage of your Disability Support Pension plus any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you receive
- The SDA payment from your NDIS plan goes directly to the provider to cover the cost of the specialist housing features
- You have the same rights as any tenant under WA tenancy law, including rights around privacy, maintenance and reasonable security of tenure
- Reasonable modifications related to your disability must be permitted by the provider
Your support coordinator or a tenancy advocacy service can help you review the agreement before signing.
Step 5: Arrange Your Supports for the New Home
Moving into an SDA property means your daily supports need to be set up for the new location. This is separate from the housing itself and comes from the Core and Capacity Building budgets in your NDIS plan.
Things to arrange include:
- Support workers who can visit you at the new address on your required schedule
- Overnight support if you need a support worker present during the night
- Community access support for transport to appointments, shopping and social activities from your new location
- Technology setup including any assistive technology or communication devices that need to be configured for the new home
Your support coordinator plays a central role here, ensuring your support plan reflects your new living arrangements and that providers are ready to deliver supports from your move-in date.
Step 6: Smart Home Technology Setup
If your SDA home includes integrated smart home technology, this needs to be configured to your specific needs before or shortly after you move in. This is where Innogreen's expertise in smart homes and SDA comes together.
Setup typically includes:
Voice Assistant Configuration
- Setting up your preferred voice assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Home)
- Programming voice commands for lights, blinds, climate control, entertainment and door locks
- Creating automated routines for morning, evening and nighttime
Security and Access
- Configuring smart lock access codes for you, your carers and family members
- Setting up the video intercom and doorbell camera on your phone or tablet
- Programming the security system with your preferred settings and emergency contacts
Environmental Controls
- Calibrating automated blinds and lighting to your preferences
- Setting up climate control schedules
- Configuring any specialised assistive technology integrations, such as switch-controlled or eye-gaze-controlled systems
Training
You and your regular support workers should receive training on how to use the smart home system. This ensures you can operate everything independently and your support team can assist if needed.
For more on the technology side, read our Complete Guide to NDIS Smart Home Technology.
Step 7: Move In and Settle Into Your New Home
On move-in day, your support coordinator and the SDA provider should both be available to assist. Expect the following:
- A handover meeting where the provider walks you through the property, explains how everything works and provides emergency contact numbers
- A condition report documenting the state of the property at the start of your tenancy, which you should review and sign
- Testing of all smart home systems to confirm everything is working correctly
- Introduction to any shared living arrangements if you are moving into a two-resident property
The First Few Weeks
The initial weeks in a new home are an adjustment period. During this time:
- Keep a list of any maintenance issues or adjustments needed and report them to the SDA provider promptly
- Work with your support coordinator to fine-tune your support arrangements for the new environment
- Practice using the smart home technology until it becomes routine
- Explore your new neighbourhood to locate nearby services, parks, shops and transport options
Step 8: Ongoing Living and Reviews
SDA tenancies are designed to be long-term housing arrangements. However, your situation and needs may change over time. Key things to be aware of:
- Your NDIS plan is reviewed periodically, usually every 12 to 24 months. SDA funding should continue as long as you remain eligible.
- Your support needs may change, requiring adjustments to your daily support arrangements. Your support coordinator can help you request changes through the NDIS.
- The SDA property may need modifications as your needs evolve. Purpose-built SDA homes are designed with reinforced walls and ceilings specifically to allow grab rails, hoists and other modifications to be installed or relocated.
- Smart home technology can be updated as new devices and capabilities become available.
Common Questions About Moving Into SDA
How long does the whole process take?
From SDA approval to move-in, the timeline varies. If a suitable property is available and you are ready to proceed, the process can take as little as 4 to 6 weeks. If you need to wait for a property to be built or a vacancy to open, it may take several months.
Can I choose my own support workers in an SDA home?
Yes. Your SDA housing provider manages the property. Your support workers and daily supports are arranged separately, and you have choice and control over who provides them.
What if the property does not meet my needs after I move in?
Raise any issues with the SDA provider immediately. Under WA tenancy law and SDA-specific provisions, the provider must maintain the property to the required standard. If modifications are needed due to a change in your condition, these can be discussed with the provider and, where necessary, funded through your NDIS plan.
Do I pay for maintenance and repairs?
No. The SDA provider is responsible for all maintenance and repairs to the property and its specialist features. Your rent covers your tenancy, and the SDA payment from your NDIS plan covers the specialist housing features.
The Bottom Line
Moving into an SDA home is a multi-step process, but it does not have to be overwhelming. With the right support coordinator and an experienced SDA provider, each step is straightforward.
The key is to start early: understand your funding, begin your property search as soon as possible, and make sure your support arrangements are ready before move-in day. Once you are settled, a purpose-built smart SDA home provides a level of independence, safety and comfort that standard housing simply cannot match.
If you have SDA funding in your NDIS plan and are looking for a smart, accessible home in Perth, contact Innogreen Homes to discuss current availability. For more information on eligibility and the types of SDA properties available, read our guides on SDA Eligibility Explained and Living Independently with High Physical Support Needs.