Finding the right NDIS housing usually starts with one simple question: where do I actually want to live, and who do I want around me? This article is for NDIS participants and families in Adelaide, Blair Athol, Hillcrest, Kilkenny, Melrose Park, Morphett Vale, Salisbury, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Hobart.

Most people we speak with are surprised to learn that the NDIS rarely pays rent. It provides funding support and, in some cases, a specialist building, but your everyday living costs usually remain your responsibility.

That one detail clears up a lot of confusion. Once you know what the scheme pays for and what it does not, the different housing labels start to make sense.

Below, we walk through the main types of NDIS housing, which ones suit you, and the questions worth asking before you move. We have arranged it around real situations rather than funding codes.

“I need a home built around my disability”

Some people need a building with specific design features. This is where Specialist Disability Accommodation comes in.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funds the property itself. It is only available to participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, and it must be listed in your plan. SDA homes are built to one of four design categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support.

A High Physical Support home in Kilkenny might have ceiling hoists, wider doorways and backup power. You still pay a reasonable rent contribution, usually based on a share of the Disability Support Pension and any Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Care Assure delivers support inside SDA homes owned by Care Casa, our SDA provider partner, across South Australia and Tasmania.

“I want to share a house with daily support”

This is the arrangement most people picture when they hear the term "disability housing". The funding pays for staff rather than the building.

SIL housing refers to homes where Supported Independent Living funding pays for support workers. Staff help with cooking, personal care, medication, and getting out into the community. SIL can be delivered in an SDA home, a private rental, or a property owned by your family.

Before agreeing to a SIL home, ask how many people live there, whether the house has overnight active or sleepover support, and how housemates are matched. If you need complex care, such as PEG feeding or catheter management, check that a registered nurse oversees the care plan and trains the staff.

“I need somewhere to stay for a short while”

Not every housing need is permanent. Short and medium stays fill the gaps.

NDIS respite, funded as Short Term Accommodation, covers short stays in a supported house. Families in Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier often use it for a weekend break or while a carer is in hospital.

Medium Term Accommodation is different. It is for people who have a long-term home arranged but cannot move in yet, perhaps because modifications are still underway or an SDA build is not finished.

“I want to live on my own or with family”

Group homes are not the only answer. Individual living arrangements suit many participants better.

Individualised Living Options (ILO) let you design support around the home you choose. That might mean living with a host family, sharing with a friend or living alone with drop-in support. An ILO takes more planning than SIL, but it gives you more say over the people in your life.

Comparing the main options

Who manages the paperwork?

Funding for housing and support can come from several budgets. Someone has to keep track of it.

If your plan is plan managed, a plan manager pays invoices and tracks your spending. Many families search for NDIS plan managers near me, but location matters less than how quickly they pay and how clearly they report. Plan management fees are funded separately, so they do not reduce your support hours.

When you speak to NDIS providers about housing, ask for a written quote that shows support hours, staff ratios and any costs you will pay yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Does NDIS housing cover rent?
Generally no. SDA funds the building, but participants still pay a reasonable rent contribution. In SIL and most other options, you pay rent, food and household bills from your own income.

How do I know if I am eligible for SDA?
Your plan will list SDA funding and a design category if you are eligible. If it is not there, talk to your support coordinator about gathering occupational therapy evidence for a plan review.

Can I get SIL without living in a group home?
Yes. SIL can be delivered in a private rental or family-owned home, as long as the arrangement suits your needs and is approved in your plan.

How long can I stay in respite?
It depends on what is funded in your plan. Talk to your planner or support coordinator about how many nights fit within your Core budget.

What happens if a housemate arrangement is not working?
Raise it with the provider first. A good provider will review the roster and the house mix, and you can change providers if issues continue.

Talk it through with a local team

If you live in South Australia or Tasmania and want to understand your housing options, the Care Assure team is available Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. Bring your plan, and we will tell you plainly which options fit your funding.