Statistics

As of the latest figures, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports 692,823 participants. Of these, 51% are under the age of 18, reflecting the significant number of young Australians benefiting from the program. Among adult participants, 21% of NDIS budgets remain unutilised, indicating potential challenges in accessing or implementing available supports. The average plan amount for adults is ~$65,700, underscoring the financial commitment to improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities.

The latest SDA demand data highlights the growing need for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) across various states and territories in Australia. As of the most recent government report, there are 24,522 SDA-funded participants, including those already residing in SDA dwellings and those still seeking suitable accommodations.

• Participants in SDA dwellings: 14,688 individuals currently live in SDA-approved housing across Australia.
• Participants seeking SDA dwellings: 9,834 individuals are actively seeking suitable accommodations, either because they’ve been approved for funding or are transitioning to SDA properties.

Breaking it down further:

• New South Wales (NSW) has the highest total SDA-funded participants, with 7,822 people, of which 4,922 are already in dwellings, while 2,900 are still seeking suitable homes.
• Victoria (VIC) follows closely with 7,144 participants, split into 5,090 in dwellings and 2,054 still seeking.
• Other key states like Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA) show significant numbers as well, with 4,089 and 1,792 total participants, respectively.

Smaller states and territories, such as Tasmania (TAS), South Australia (SA), and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), show steady but lower levels of demand, reflecting the need for targeted investment in these regions to meet specific local requirements.

This SDA demand data demonstrates a clear gap between the availability of SDA housing and the growing need for disability-friendly accommodation. For investors and developers, these figures present a significant opportunity to meet demand in high-priority areas such as NSW, VIC, and QLD, while also addressing gaps in smaller states and territories.

SDA Supply Data in Australia

The latest SDA supply data highlights the current state of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) availability across Australia. A total of 18,112 SDA dwellings exist across various states, with significant variation in supply across dwelling types and regions.

National Breakdown of Dwelling Types

• High Physical Support accommodations make up the largest share, with 9,421 dwellings. This reflects strong alignment with the demand for highly accessible housing.
• Improved Liveability has 2,418 dwellings, focusing on residents with moderate accessibility needs.
• Fully Accessible dwellings account for 1,421, highlighting the importance of addressing the specific needs of people with significant mobility impairments.
• Robust housing, designed for security and durability, totals 2,582 dwellings.
• Basic accommodations contribute 1,987 dwellings, designed to meet fundamental needs. 
• Hybrid designs are the smallest category, with only 283 dwellings.

State-by-State Overview

1. New South Wales (NSW): NSW leads in overall supply, with 4,444 SDA dwellings, with a strong focus on High Physical Support housing, totalling 2,042 dwellings.
2. Victoria (VIC): VIC reports the highest total supply at 5,522 dwellings, offering a balanced range across categories, including the highest number of High Physical Support dwellings (2,781) and Fully Accessible dwellings (459). However, there is a potential oversupply of Robust dwellings (1,162)
3. Queensland (QLD): With 3,933 dwellings, QLD has one of the strongest supplies of High Physical Support housing (2,389).
4. South Australia (SA): SA offers 2,156 dwellings, with a balanced distribution of Robust, Improved Liveability, and High Physical Support options.
5. Western Australia (WA): WA’s 1,359 dwellings including a high proportion of High Physical Support dwellings at 1,015.
6. Smaller regions such as Tasmania (TAS) (240 dwellings) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) (233 dwellings) contribute lower numbers but remain steady in specific dwelling categories.

Key Observation

1. Dominance of High Physical Support: High Physical Support dwellings make up the majority of the supply, emphasizing the focus on individuals with higher support needs. While categories like Improved Liveability and Fully Accessible are less represented, individuals in these groups can still utilize HPS housing.
2. Regional Disparities: The majority of the national supply is concentrated in VIC, NSW, and QLD, while smaller states and territories have limited options, revealing a significant opportunity for investment in these regions.
3. Pipeline and Future Development: As participant numbers continue to grow, particularly in NSW and QLD, future developments will likely affect how these supply numbers evolve.

Opportunities

The data suggests a need to diversify the types of available housing and expand supply in underrepresented regions. For developers and investors, there is an opportunity to fill gaps in areas with lower dwelling numbers, especially in categories such as Robust and Fully Accessible housing, where the supply is less prevalent.



Based on NDIS SDA Supply and Demand data, December 2024