In this 4th instalment of our popular 'Ask Us Anything' series, we dive deep into an email from Andy, a builder from Adelaide who is a regular podcast listener, and has SDA build ideas for his son. We answer his questions and explore his theories. His questions sparked a discussion about the realities of SDA development, from financial considerations to design best practices, and even his theories on where the SDA market is headed.

Below are some of the points of discussion in this discussion:

• Andy's initial design concept involves two side-by-side dwellings, each intended for two participants, with individual spaces and shared breakout and care rooms. However, the hosts clarified that it will likely end up being one resident per house, and Andy further explained his dual-key design idea, where each house has a main front door entry leading to two separate dwelling entries within the building, essentially two villas inside one house.
• There is a specific safety requirement for a lockable kitchen, using a nib wall to allow exclusion when necessary (e.g., when cooking with hot water). This is seen as essential for some robust participants, though market acceptance and design assessment may vary.
• The idea of separating the carer’s bedroom and office into two rooms is discussed, with consensus that more space for carers is beneficial.
• High, non-climbable fencing is required for robust participants to prevent absconding.
• Post-certification changes can improve property functionality for care teams.
• The dual-key/dual-occupancy design raises concerns about compliance, as participants are supposed to have full access to the entire house. This may conflict with NDIS or design assessment requirements.

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https://www.sdaadvisory.com.au

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https://ndis.property/reports

EBOOKS:
www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au
www.fullyaccessible.com.au

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NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA data and pricing payments information, we help clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals.

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CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise, just pop on over to our website to find out more.

For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via podcast@ndis.property

In this episode, Minh chats with Tanisha Simunic, an SDA Assessor, accredited Access Consultant and OT, about her work, background and her view of the SDA world.

Tanisha’s Professional Background and Role
Tanisha is an accredited access consultant, registered occupational therapist, and SDA assessor with nearly a decade of experience in the SDA sector. Her career began in occupational therapy, where an interest in home modifications and architecture led her to access consulting. She now specialises in helping designers and builders create accessible spaces, blending her expertise in disability, function, and environmental design.

The SDA Assessment Process
The process starts when a client submits floor plans for an SDA dwelling. The assessor reviews them against SDA guidelines, providing feedback until compliance is achieved. Once approved, a provisional certification is submitted to the NDIA, giving the client ~2 years to build. After construction, a final inspection ensures adherence to the certified plans before NDIA enrolment.

Concerns About SDA Design Guidelines
Many assessors doubt the future of SDA housing due to unclear design guidelines. Confusion persists over what constitutes a functional SDA dwelling, with reports of enrolled properties being unsuitable for participants. A guideline overhaul is widely seen as necessary.

[LINKEDIN PROFILE]

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LEAVE US A GOOGLE REVIEW!

SDA ADVISORY SERVICES
https://www.sdaadvisory.com.au

SDA RESEARCH REPORTS
https://ndis.property/reports

EBOOKS:
www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au
www.fullyaccessible.com.au

Send us a text

NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA data and pricing payments information, we help clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals.

FOLLOW US:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise, just pop on over to our website to find out more.

For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via podcast@ndis.property

Goodbye Postcode Restrictions ... & Hello Distance Restrictions!

Big changes (again) are reshaping NDIS lending landscape, and in this episode, Debbie sits down with Paul Grant from Axis Lending to unpack the latest finance requirements for NDIS property investing, from their perspective as a Mortgage Manager.

This episode only relates to Origin, the largest wholesale NDIS lender across Australia, and this information discussed doesn't apply to other lenders in the SDA space, for investors looking at NDIS property investments.

Late last year in 2024 we saw significant tightening of eligibility criteria, including new income thresholds ($250K+ household income or $2.5M+ net assets for "sophisticated investors") and geographic restrictions. But as of this week (23rd June 2025), the rules have evolved again - with major implications for investors and participants alike.

Key changes include:
✔️ Postcode restrictions replaced by distance-based rules (50km from Sydney CBD, 25km from other capitals)
✔️ Lending based on 100% alternate use value in major cities (80% in larger regional centres)
✔️ Stronger focus on owner-occupiers and families, who may now qualify for better terms - possibly even standard home loans
✔️ Stricter SMSF requirements, including mandatory upfront Statements of Financial Advice
✔️ Compulsory Due Diligence reports for all purchases

Why does this all matter? These changes reflect a maturing market - one that prioritises sustainable investments while ensuring quality housing for participants.

While investor activity has slowed, the focus on sophisticated buyers and owner-occupiers points to a more stable future. Tune in as Debbie and Paul discuss in detail the new lending rules.

If anyone wants to reach out to Paul Grant, his email is: pgrant@axislending.com.au

Click here for their website - Axis Lending

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SDA ADVISORY SERVICES
https://www.sdaadvisory.com.au

SDA RESEARCH REPORTS
https://ndis.property/reports

EBOOKS:
www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au
www.fullyaccessible.

Send us a text

NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA data and pricing payments information, we help clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals.

FOLLOW US:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise, just pop on over to our website to find out more.

For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via podcast@ndis.property