Moving into an SDA home in Adelaide: what to expect
By The Find My SDA Team · Reviewed by Bhav Singh, Licensed Estate Agent · Published 31 Jul 2026 · Updated 15 Sep 2026
Finding and moving into a Specialist Disability Accommodation home in Adelaide can feel like a lot to take in. This guide walks through what usually happens, step by step, so you know what to expect from your first enquiry to your first night in your new home. It is general information about how the process tends to work in South Australia, not advice about your own plan.
Start with your funded design category
Before you look at homes, check what your NDIS plan says about SDA. It sets out the design category, building type and location the NDIS will fund, and homes that match those are what your funding is set up to pay for. The four categories are Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust and High Physical Support.
If you are not sure which one you are funded for, your support coordinator or NDIS planner can confirm it. Once you know, you can focus on homes built to that standard.
Find a vacancy and enquire
The easiest way to start in South Australia is to browse current SDA vacancies by suburb or by design category, then enquire on the homes that suit your funding and support needs. Think about location too, such as being close to family, transport, health services and your support providers.
When you enquire with Find My SDA, you deal with one team who knows every home we list. We can talk through how a home is enrolled and how any on-site support fits with the accommodation.
Inspections and matching
It is a good idea to see a home before you decide, in person or through photos and a video call if a visit is hard to arrange. The NDIS suggests checking that a home meets your needs before you sign a service agreement. This is your chance to check the accessibility features, the layout and whether the home feels right for you.
In shared SDA homes, matching also matters. Living well with the other residents is part of the picture, so it is reasonable to ask about who else lives there and how the household works.
Agreements and support
Before you move in, you and the provider need to create a written SDA service agreement. The NDIS rules require one, although a provider can start under a proposed written agreement they have given you a copy of. It sets out what you and the provider each agree to do. Some providers also use a separate tenancy agreement, which must meet the relevant state tenancy laws. Your Reasonable Rent Contribution goes in the service agreement or in that separate agreement. Your day-to-day support, such as Supported Independent Living, is arranged separately from the accommodation.
It is worth having your support coordinator involved so the accommodation and the support line up before you move.
Settling in
Once the agreement is in place, you can plan the move itself, including any assistive technology set-up and getting to know your support team. Give yourself time to settle; a new home is a big change, and it usually takes a little while to feel like yours.
Find My SDA is a licensed South Australian real estate agency (RLA 344702) and a registered NDIS SDA provider, so we can stay with you from the first enquiry through to moving in.
The steps above describe the general process we follow, and it is subject to change. Every person's situation is different, so use this as a guide rather than a fixed set of rules.
Common questions
How do I find SDA vacancies in Adelaide?
You can browse current SDA vacancies by suburb and by design category on Find My SDA, then enquire online on the homes that match your funded category and support needs.
Can I inspect an SDA home before I move in?
Yes. The NDIS says to check that a home meets your needs before you commit to a service agreement, so ask to view it in person or through photos and a video call. It is your chance to check the accessibility features and whether the home suits you.
Do I choose who I live with in a shared SDA home?
Matching matters in shared homes. You can ask about the current residents and how the household works. The NDIS expects providers to consult existing residents about potential new housemates.
Is support included when I move into an SDA home?
SDA is the home itself. Your day-to-day support, such as Supported Independent Living, is funded and arranged separately, so it is worth lining both up before you move.
Sources
We check the facts in this guide against these official sources before it goes live.