Housing Assessment
Clinically reviewed by Angela Lander, AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and Director of Occupational Therapy — last reviewed July 2026.
NDIS Housing Assessments across Melbourne — SDA & SIL Occupational Therapy Reports
NDIS housing assessments determine whether a participant's current home is suitable for their needs, whether specialist housing supports could improve their quality of life, and what evidence the NDIS requires to fund those supports. At Ability Rehab in Ivanhoe East, our occupational therapists conduct comprehensive housing assessments that support applications for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL), and other housing-related NDIS supports.
A housing assessment isn't just paperwork — it's a clinical evaluation of how a person's functional capacity, support needs, and goals intersect with the physical and support environment they live in. The resulting OT report is what the NDIS uses to determine whether SDA, SIL or ILO funding is reasonable and necessary, and at what level. Our team has deep experience preparing the kind of detailed, evidence-based reports that funding decisions rely on.
What is a Housing Assessment?
A housing assessment is a clinical evaluation by an occupational therapist that examines how well a person's living environment supports — or limits — their participation in daily life. The OT considers the person's functional capacity, the activities they need to do safely, the level of support they require, and the physical features of their current or prospective home.
Housing assessments are most commonly used to support NDIS funding applications for Specialist Disability Accommodation or Supported Independent Living, but they're also used to inform home modifications, transitions out of hospital or rehabilitation, and decisions about where someone should live longer-term. The output is typically a detailed written report containing the assessment findings, the OT's clinical recommendations, and the evidence base supporting them.
NDIS Housing Assessments — SDA, SIL and ILO Explained
The NDIS funds two distinct housing-related supports that often get confused: SDA (the dwelling itself) and SIL (the support package inside the dwelling). They are funded separately, assessed separately, and serve different purposes. A participant may need one, the other, or both.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA is funding for the physical dwelling — purpose-built or modified housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA pays the bricks-and-mortar cost of the housing, not the person living in it. Eligibility is restricted to a small group of NDIS participants with significant disability-related housing requirements.
SDA dwellings are built to one of four design categories, each with different physical specifications:
SDA Design Categories
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL is funding for the support workers and overnight assistance a participant needs to live in a shared or independent setting. Unlike SDA, SIL is not about the building — it pays for the human supports inside the home. SIL is often (but not always) paired with SDA, and is also used in standard rental or owned dwellings where the participant needs significant daily support.
Individualised Living Options (ILO)
ILO is NDIS funding that lets a participant design a living arrangement around their own preferences — such as living with a host family, co-residency with a housemate who provides support, or living alone with drop-in and on-call supports. Unlike SDA and SIL, ILO starts with exploring and designing the arrangement, then funds the supports that make it work. Our OT housing assessments can support the ILO exploration and design stages by providing evidence of functional capacity and support needs.
When You Need an OT Housing Assessment
An OT housing assessment is generally required to support:
- An initial NDIS application for SDA funding
- Exploring or designing an Individualised Living Option (ILO)
- A change in SDA design category or transition between dwellings
- An NDIS application for SIL funding (either standalone or alongside SDA)
- A change in SIL support level (ratio, hours, or category of support)
- A transition from hospital, rehab, or aged care into community-based housing
- A plan review where housing needs have changed or escalated
Our OT team works closely with support coordinators, plan managers, SDA providers, SIL providers, and the participant's broader support network to ensure the assessment captures the right evidence and the report meets NDIS requirements.
Our Housing Assessment Process
From initial referral through to a finalised report, the process typically follows these steps:
Meet Our Housing Assessment Team
Housing assessment work is delivered by experienced members of our occupational therapy team with particular focus areas across NDIS housing, complex disability, neurological rehabilitation, and assistive technology — areas that frequently intersect with SDA and SIL decisions. Full bios and AHPRA registration details for every clinician are available on our Our Clinicians page.
Our team values evidence-based, person-centred, and culturally safe practice. Reports are grounded in the participant's actual functional needs and living context — not template language or generic recommendations.
Housing Assessments Across Melbourne
Our clinic is based in Ivanhoe East, and we deliver housing assessments anywhere across Melbourne. Site visits can happen wherever the relevant property is located — current home, prospective SDA dwelling, SIL property, hospital, or rehabilitation setting. We have particular concentration of work across Melbourne's north-east, including:
Direct observation in the relevant environment is essential for housing assessments — the report needs to describe what the OT actually saw, not what was reported second-hand. We travel to wherever the assessment needs to happen.
Why Choose Ability Rehab for Housing Assessments?
Housing assessments shape major decisions — about where someone lives, what supports they receive, and how their NDIS plan is structured. The quality of the OT report directly affects what the NDIS funds and how well the housing solution fits the participant's actual needs.
Clients, support coordinators, and SDA/SIL providers choose Ability Rehab because we offer:
- Experienced occupational therapists with deep NDIS housing reporting experience
- Coverage across SDA, SIL, transition planning, and complex housing decisions
- Evidence-based reports aligned with NDIS requirements and decision criteria
- Coordination with support coordinators, plan managers, SDA and SIL providers, and the participant's broader team
- Clear, accessible written reports that participants and their families can understand
- Registered NDIS provider experienced across NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed participants
Getting Started With a Housing Assessment
Getting started is straightforward. The first step is usually a phone or telehealth conversation to understand what's prompting the assessment, what funding pathway applies, and what timeline is involved. Housing assessments — especially for SDA — are often time-sensitive, particularly when linked to discharge planning, plan review dates, or dwelling availability.
For NDIS participants, we work directly with support coordinators and plan managers from the outset, and can advise on whether the assessment falls under capacity-building, capital, or core supports in the plan.
Ready to start a housing assessment, or want to talk through whether SDA or SIL is the right pathway?
Housing Assessment – Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NDIS housing assessment?
An NDIS housing assessment is a clinical evaluation by an occupational therapist that examines how a person's functional capacity, support needs, and goals intersect with their living environment. The resulting OT report is used by the NDIS to determine whether housing-related supports — most commonly Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL) — are reasonable and necessary, and at what level. The assessment includes in-person observation of the relevant property, functional measures, and discussions with the participant and their support network.
What's the difference between SDA and SIL?
SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) funds the physical dwelling — purpose-built or modified housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds the support workers and overnight assistance a participant needs to live safely, whether in an SDA dwelling, a shared house, or their own home. SDA pays for bricks and mortar; SIL pays for human supports. A participant might be eligible for one, the other, or both. They are funded separately and assessed separately.
Who is eligible for SDA funding?
SDA is restricted to a small group of NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs whose housing requirements cannot be reasonably met through other means. Eligibility involves demonstrating significant disability-related housing requirements supported by clinical evidence — including an OT housing assessment. The NDIS evaluates each application against criteria including the participant's functional capacity, the impact of housing on their support costs, and the absence of alternative options. Our OT report is the central piece of evidence for most SDA applications.
What are the SDA design categories?
SDA dwellings are built to one of four design categories: Improved Liveability (for sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairment), Fully Accessible (for significant physical impairment, with wider doorways, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, level access throughout), Robust (built with strengthened fixtures and structural features for participants whose behaviours of concern may impact themselves, others, or the property), and High Physical Support (the highest specification, with ceiling hoists, structural reinforcement, and emergency power for participants with very high physical support needs). The OT assessment determines which category is clinically appropriate.
Do I need an OT to assess for SDA?
Yes. An OT housing assessment is the central piece of clinical evidence for an SDA application. The NDIS requires detailed clinical justification for why standard housing options cannot meet the participant's needs, why SDA is necessary, and which design category is appropriate. That justification needs to come from a qualified occupational therapist with experience in SDA reporting. SIL applications also typically require an OT report, though the focus is on support needs rather than the dwelling itself.
How long does the SDA application process take?
It varies. The OT assessment and report can typically be completed within a few weeks once an initial appointment is booked, depending on the complexity of the case and availability of supporting evidence. The NDIS review process after submission is harder to predict — straightforward applications can be decided within months, while complex cases involving review or appeal can take significantly longer. Working with an experienced support coordinator and ensuring the OT report meets NDIS evidence requirements gives the application the best chance of a clear, timely decision.
What does a housing assessment report include?
A housing assessment report typically includes: the participant's relevant background and current housing situation; results of standardised functional measures; observations from the in-person assessment; analysis of the participant's support needs; clinical justification for the recommended housing pathway (SDA category or SIL support level); supporting evidence from other clinicians and the participant's network; and clear recommendations aligned with NDIS criteria. Reports are written to be both clinically rigorous and accessible to participants, families, and NDIA decision-makers.
How do I get started with a housing assessment?
The simplest way to get started is to submit a referral via our Make a Referral page or call us on 0478 491 188. We'll have an initial phone or telehealth conversation to understand what's prompting the assessment, confirm the funding pathway and timeline, and identify the right clinician for the case. For NDIS participants, we work directly with support coordinators and plan managers from the start. Where the assessment is time-sensitive — for example linked to discharge planning or a plan review date — please flag that on referral so we can prioritise accordingly.