Getting it right

Understanding how Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and sharing support works, and finding good, clear information can be really difficult. Knowing your rights, who does what, and how to give feedback, can also be hard. Here is some information to help NDIS participants living in SDA and shared support arrangements and those who work with them. This information is useful for NDIS participants, Providers (housing and support), and both professional and personal supporters.

It is important that NDIS participants know their rights and how to take action when they feel a situation puts their rights at risk. At the same time, Providers need to build a positive culture of 2-way conversations with participants and be open to receiving feedback and solving problems. Supporters may include family members, friends, advocates and support coordinators. As you work your way through the information you may find it helpful to refer to the NDIS Housing Speak Glossary for clear and concise definitions of key terms.

The Housing Hub is also hosting a series of Webinars across March and April, 2025 focused on understanding this information and how it can be used to solve problems in NDIS housing.

• Mon, 14 Apr, 11:00am - 12:00pm AEST

Workshops

We will also be offering free workshops for people with disability to learn how solve problems in NDIS housing by using the information and tools that have been created. The workshops will be held online in April, May and June.

Workshops include:

• Service Agreements - what am I signing?
• How should shared support work in my NDIS Housing?
• Who is responsible for what in my NDIS Housing?

You can find for information and details to register here.

Resource Evaluation Study

We're partnering with La Trobe University to evaluate the Solving Problems in NDIS resources. Your insights are invaluable—join our study today!

How do we build a positive culture?

Video Explainer

Watch this video to learn about how important it is to build a positive culture around giving and receiving feedback.

Knowledge Builder

This Knowledge Builder showcases best practices, helping participants, providers, and supporters shape a more effective and inclusive culture.

Who to talk to about a problem?

Roles & Responsibilities Sheet

This document helps clarify team roles and responsibilities, ensuring everyone knows what they should be doing. Print or laminate it for easy access.

Escalation Chart

This Escalation Chart helps identify who to contact if you are having difficulty resolving an issue, with example problems included.

Knowledge Builder

This Knowledge Builder offers best practices to guide participants, providers, and supporters on effective communication: what, who, how.

What are we agreeing to?

Service Agreement Guide

This guide helps NDIS participants and providers create service agreements that balance and reflect both voices effectively.

Service Agreement Conversations

This guide offers conversation prompts to help discuss service agreements with housing or support providers effectively.

Video Explainer

Watch this video to learn about service agreements and how participants and providers should have a 2-way conversation.

How should shared support work?

Tenant Advisory Committee Checklist

This checklist guides you on setting up a Tenant Advisory Committee, with topic suggestions for productive Committee Meetings.

Video Explainer

Watch this video to learn about the different ways shared support may be provided.

Video Explainer

Watch this video to learn about tenants’ rights and how they can be upheld in a shared living environment.

Knowledge Builder

This Knowledge Builder helps participants and providers understand support requests and shared vs. 1:1 support through best practice scenarios.

Resource Evaluation Study

We're partnering with La Trobe University to evaluate the Solving Problems in NDIS resources. Your insights are invaluable—join our study today! Click here to learn more.

Acknowledgements

This information has been co-created with people with disability, their supporters and providers, based on their shared experiences with SDA and shared support. This information has been made by the Housing Hub and Summer Foundation with funding assistance from the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission. 

The following people and organisations co-designed this information: NDIS housing tenants: Bridget Doyle, Christie Louis, Gretta Serov, Helen Burt, Jamie-Lee Dwyer, Kate Skene, Linda Bone, Mark Blowers, Dr Pamela Dean, Sijan Dahal, Stuart Hurst; SDA self provider: Allan Hunter; Supporters of people with disability: Jeanette Wait, Tania Giorgio, Court Walters (Milparinka), Tania Griffiths (Doing it Differently) Tessa Irwin (Links Occupational Therapy); Housing providers: Brianna Barry (Accessible Homes Australia), Helen Wood (Access Accom), Louise Molland (BlueCHP), Michelle Goding and Shane Jamieson (Youngcare), Simon Bartlett (DPN Casa Capace); Support providers: Angie Mellors (Nextt), James Woods (Mable) Melissa Cofre (Yooralla), Melissa Shubin (Community Living Options)

Thanks to these people and organisations for sharing their experience, insights and time. Your input has made these resources better than they could have ever been without you.