Arrival and Registration  

Welcome and Introductions 

This session explores how Queensland is improving disability housing through strategic policy, cross-sector partnerships, and alignment with the NDIS.

Delegates will gain insights into the state’s approach to inclusive, accessible housing, collaboration with community housing providers, and effective pathways for participants transitioning from hospital or community settings.

The presentation will highlight practical strategies for providers, allied health professionals, and investors to navigate policy, funding, and regulatory frameworks while delivering participant-centered, sustainable housing outcomes.

From 2026, all new residential dwellings across Queensland will be required to comply with strengthened Livable Housing Design Standards, marking a significant shift in accessibility, compliance, and design expectations for the housing sector. These reforms aim to improve long-term accessibility outcomes while balancing feasibility for the development and construction industry through specific, time-limited exemptions for eligible projects.

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This session will provide a practical and policy-aligned overview of the new standards, outlining what has changed, who is affected, and how these requirements intersect with SDA, mainstream housing supply, and NDIS participant outcomes. Attendees will gain clarity on the scope of exemptions available in 2026, eligibility criteria, transition timeframes, and the implications for project planning, approvals, and investment decisions.

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Designed for developers, builders, SDA providers, planners, allied health professionals, and government stakeholders, this presentation equips attendees with the knowledge needed to navigate compliance confidently, mitigate risk, and align housing delivery with future-focused accessibility and inclusion objectives.

The Disability Royal Commission’s Progress Report 2025 has reinforced longstanding recommendations to phase out large group homes and replace them with more inclusive, individualised living arrangements.

Commissioners have recommended a forward‑looking roadmap, urging governments to reduce reliance on 4-6 resident group home models, prioritise alternative housing, and plan for staged transitions that balance supply, demand, and individual choice.

This session will unpack these recommendations, evaluate where governments are in considering implementation, and discuss how the sector can contribute to inclusive, person‑centred housing solutions that align with human rights and long‑term wellbeing.

Viewing of the Expo which includes public and professional entry .  Stand up lunch is served for Delegates in the main conference room 

The landscape of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is increasingly shaped by complex legal and advocacy challenges that affect participants, providers, and investors alike.

As NDIS reforms roll out in 2026 - including changes to external appeal rights, administrative processes, and regulatory enforcement - understanding these challenges is critical to maintaining safe, compliant, and sustainable housing outcomes.

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This session will explore:

• Accessing and Appealing SDA Funding Decisions

• Planned changes to external review mechanisms (AAT/ART) may reduce participants’ ability to obtain legally enforceable reconsideration of their funding.

• Implications for SDA participants: limited recourse could delay access to appropriate housing and essential supports.

• Provider impact: potential uncertainty in funding continuity and operational planning.

• Administrative Appeals and Participant Burden

• Many Participants represent themselves in appeals while the NDIA engages external legal counsel, creating inequities.

• Limited advocacy resources mean participants may divert plan funding or time away from frontline supports, affecting quality of life.

• Emotional and practical stress on participants and families highlights the need for improved support pathways.

• NDIA Payment Holds and Administrative Delays

• Transition to new payment systems (e.g., PACE) has caused delays in SDA and SIL-related payments.

• Consequences for providers include cashflow pressures, risk to service continuity, and increased administrative burden.

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Advocacy Access and Support Programs

• NDIS Appeals Program provides targeted legal and advocacy assistance, yet demand outstrips supply.

• Participants may continue to face challenges navigating tribunal processes without experienced representation.

• Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement

• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has taken strong enforcement action against providers, including permanent bans for misconduct.

• These actions reinforce compliance expectations but also underscore the risk environment in SDA service delivery.

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Broader Governance and Systemic Advocacy concerns

• Issues such as automated “robo-planning” and reduced review rights have prompted sector-wide advocacy calls.

• Policy discussions are ongoing to restore equitable access to funding decisions and ensure participants’ rights are safeguarded.

Takeaways for Attendees:

• Participants /Guardians/ Parents:  Understand potential risks to housing and support access under changing review processes.

• Providers: Navigate compliance, maintain service continuity, and mitigate operational and financial risks.

• Investors: Assess the impact of legal and regulatory changes on SDA investment viability and project risk.

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Queensland faces ongoing challenges with underutilised SDA homes and hospital discharge delays, creating a “revolving door” effect that affects participants, providers, and the health system.

This session will explore these challenges while highlighting strategies to better match participants to housing, improve coordination between health and disability sectors, and unlock the potential of existing SDA stock.

Delegates will gain insight into practical solutions, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative approaches that can enhance housing outcomes, reduce system bottlenecks, and deliver timely, participant-centered support.

Break 

The 2025–26 SDA pricing framework introduces CPI-indexed adjustments effective 1 July 2026, affecting benchmark rates, revenue models, and investment strategies. Understanding the implications of indexed pricing is essential for maintaining financial sustainability and aligning operational plans with participant funding.

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This session will cover:

• How CPI-indexed pricing impacts provider revenue, budget planning, and cashflow projections.

• Balancing participant needs with sustainable investment returns, particularly in Fully Accessible and Robust SDA dwellings.

• Integrating pricing changes into long-term project planning and SIL cost considerations.

• Tools for investors and providers to assess financial risk and optimise SDA funding utilisation.

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Outcomes:
Delegates will gain a clear understanding of the financial implications of 2026 pricing adjustments, enabling strategic planning, accurate budgeting, and informed investment decisions.

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Specialist Disability Accommodation properties differ from traditional residential real estate, with unique accessibility features, support requirements, and funding models that complicate conventional valuation

.These challenges affect investor confidence, financing options, and sector growth, potentially slowing the development of high-quality housing for participants.

This session will explore:

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• Why SDA properties resist standard valuation models.

• Impacts on financing, supply, and investor behaviour.

• Practical strategies to align valuations with long-term housing outcomes, including emerging frameworks, data sharing, and lender education.

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Delegates will gain a clear understanding of SDA valuation risks, insights into market implications, and strategic considerations for providers, investors, and policy planning in 2026.

The Specialist Disability Accommodation  sector continues to grow, yet provider exits and market pressures present significant risks for participants, providers, and investors.

This session will explore the real-world impacts of provider collapse and practical strategies to safeguard housing continuity and sector stability.

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Key discussion points include:

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• Participant Impacts: Ensuring continuity of housing and supports during provider transitions.

• Provider & Market Considerations: Managing operational pressures, vacancies, and maintaining service quality.

• Investor Insights: Mitigating financial risk and sustaining confidence in SDA investments.

• Governance & Compliance: Navigating NDIS requirements, payment timing, and regulatory obligations.

• Resilience Strategies: Strengthening risk management, governance frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to prevent disruption.

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Delegates will leave with practical, actionable strategies to protect participants, support providers, and build a resilient SDA sector for 2026 and beyond.

Q & A and panel close 

Networking and depart