The NDIA welcomes the significant growth in new SDA builds and anticipates further investment and building activity will be needed. It says providers and investors must consider the breadth of demand across building types and categories.

Demand for single-resident apartments

• NDIA current data indicates the emergence of a potential supply imbalance between single-resident apartments in some locations compared with all other building types, particularly in relation to the High Physical Support category. This correlates with heightened vacancies in single-resident apartments.
• From 1 July 2021 new build SDA properties must have a report from an accredited SDA assessor in order to be enrolled as a SDA dwelling. New builds can be pre-certified at the design stage to improve developer and investor confidence that the dwelling will be enrolled as SDA.
• While demand for innovative single-resident dwellings will continue, the NDIA says current enrolment rates of High Physical Support single-resident dwellings do not align to the likely approved demand. These dwellings will likely carry a greater risk of vacancies.

New SDA Finder Tool to guide investment decisions

• The NDIA will soon launch an online SDA Finder tool to give SDA providers a tool to meet their existing obligations under the SDA Rules to provide the NDIA with information on their vacancies. It will allow for better visibility of existing SDA supply and improved pathways for eligible participants to connect with SDA providers.

SDA demand and participant eligibility

• The NDIA publishes demand data on the number of participants with SDA. It has begun combining the processes for decision making for SDA funding and determining the amount of care participants need to live in their home (supported independent living or SIL). This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of NDIS participants’ reasonable and necessary home and living needs. It will help SDA providers to assist participants in identifying and understanding available housing options under the NDIS.
• To speed up the eligibility process, NDIA participants can now submit a home and living supports request form to apply for a home and living assessment without having to wait for a meeting with a planner.
• Growth in the number of participants in SIL will increase from approximately 26,000 to 35,000 over the next four years. Not all participants in SIL arrangements require SDA, as other support types such as home modifications and independent living options meet participant need.
• The NDIA is currently analysing likely demand cohorts such as young people living in residential aged care and participants living in housing transitioned from state and territory governments. The NDIA will make the analysis public to help guide investment decisions.