If you’ve been looking into a benevolent investment in property under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you will have undoubtedly come across the acronyms SIL and SDA. If you’re new to the NDIS, then the terms ‘supported independent living’ and ‘specialist disability accommodation’ may seem synonymous with one another.
While both SIL and SDA refer to accommodation under the NDIS, there is a vast difference, particularly if you’re looking to invest. We explain more, below.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
SIL stands for supported independent living, which is a support service under the NDIS for participants with higher support needs, who are living in their own home. SIL includes daily living services, assistance or supervision of daily tasks such as preparing meals, personal care, medical needs and clinical support. Importantly, SIL is designed to be able to support NDIS participants to live as independently as possible, while building their skills at the same time.
If an NDIS participant requires supported independent living, they will apply for SIL funding under their NDIS plan. Funding for supported independent living is available for approved NDIS participants regardless of whether they live with other NDIS participants or on their own.
What is the difference between SIL and SDA?
Unlike SIL, specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is an initiative under the NDIS that provides purpose-built homes to support NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment and very high support needs. SDA funding is also available under an NDIS plan, however, the funding helps pay for the building and maintenance costs of the dwelling itself.
Typically, multiple residents live in SDA properties, and they provide the specific and necessary provision to support a range of highly complex support needs.
NDIS funding
SIL and SDA are funded separately in a participant’s NDIS plan. Both SIL and SDA funding are determined based on the individual participant’s unique needs. For SDA, the funding also takes into account the design category of the home, and is paid directly to the SDA provider.
How does SDA work?
Due to Australia providing extremely few disability accommodation options, many Aussies with disability are transferred to aged care facilities prematurely. More than just offering modified housing, specialist disability accommodation is purpose-built to stringent design specifications to ensure that Australians with all range of disability are able to access a home that is fit for them to live as independently as they can.
Can NDIS participants have both SIL and SDA in their NDIS plan?
Yes, absolutely! While SDA properties are built to incorporate functional features and ease of accessibility for their tenants, the NDIS participants that call them home do need to also access SIL supports for personal care, meal preparation and household tasks.
Is an SDA provider the same as a registered NDIS provider?
An SDA provider is responsible for managing SDA properties and the tenants. While SDA providers do need to be registered NDIS providers, typically that term refers to the range of different disability services that support SDA tenants.
Buying an SDA property as an investment
More than providing forever homes for those with disability, SDA properties also offer an incredible investment opportunity for property investors. To help promote both social and economic participation in specialist disability accommodation, the Australian Government is providing financial backing via SDA funding of up to $700M per year.
What this means for investors is that they can access a property market that is unlike any other in Australia, with the opportunity for capital growth and exceptional rental yields anywhere from 10 – 20% pa!
SDA is unlike existing housing on the residential property market. For a unique investment, investors need unique funding — this is why we take great pride in helping investors access the best finance solution for the NDIS property investment.
To access expert knowledge in NDIS loans, contact the team at NDIS loan experts, today!
