Agenda
Day 1
Wed 27th August 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

As the NDIS marketplace continues to mature, the interplay between Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living  has become increasingly complex.

While these supports are designed to operate in the best interest of participants, tensions can arise when provider interests diverge—particularly where financial incentives and regulatory structures intersect.

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This session opens a nuanced discussion around:

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• ​Where SDA and SIL provider goals may not always align with optimal participant outcomes—and how this misalignment can affect tenancy stability, continuity of care, and service collaboration.

• Examples of how regulatory frameworks may be interpreted or applied in ways that benefit one party over another—such as SDA providers making decisions that don’t fully consider support needs, or SIL providers shaping rosters or placements around funding efficiencies rather than participant goals.

• The quiet risk of “soft coercion” in choice and control—whether from providers, support networks, or substitute decision-makers—where influence may unintentionally (or strategically) steer choices that do not reflect the participant’s best interest.

• Growing concerns around frequent participant moves, where "choice and control" may be used as a tool to pressure providers into meeting unreasonable demands, or where guardians may intervene in ways that destabilise care and housing arrangements.

• The importance of re-centring ethical practice in shared accommodation environments—ensuring roles are respected, responsibilities are clearly defined, and collaboration occurs without compromise to transparency or participant rights.

• What good practice looks like when housing and support providers maintain healthy independence while working in partnership to deliver consistent, participant-driven outcomes.

• The role of genuine collaboration in reducing risk, strengthening trust, and building enduring relationships—leading to more stable outcomes and shared success across participants, providers, and investors.

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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to evolve, and 2025 brings pivotal updates to Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) that reshape transitional housing for participants across Australia. With revised eligibility criteria, clarified funding scope, and enhanced operational guidelines, these changes present both challenges and opportunities for providers, support coordinators, and housing stakeholders.

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This session will explore:

• The 2025 NDIS updates to STA and MTA and what they mean in practice

• New flexibility in funding usage and planning under STA

• Clarified eligibility pathways for participants in hospital and justice transitions accessing MTA

• How to align service delivery with the revised operational guidelines

• The interface between STA/MTA and long-term supports such as SDA, SIL, and ILO

• Strategies for providers to navigate the transition period and maximise impact

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Attendees will leave with actionable insights to better support NDIS participants through transitional housing and ensure service compliance with emerging NDIS reforms.

Break 

Valuations often consider the future income potential of SDA homes rather than solely focusing on current occupancy.

Given the rising demand for disability housing and government commitments to improving access, periods of vacancy are typically viewed as temporary, especially in areas with strong long-term demand.

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This presentation will discuss reduced valuation during vacancy and mitigating vacancy impact   

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This presentation will explore how Community Housing Providers  can take proactive steps to tackle legacy stock—older properties that may no longer meet contemporary housing needs—by transforming them into valuable solutions for vulnerable populations.

Focusing on strategies for renovation, adaptability, and collaboration, this session will offer practical insights into how legacy housing can be repurposed for use as Specialist Disability Accommodation , transitional housing, and emergency crisis housing.

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The discussion will cover the role of CHPs in addressing the housing shortages faced by vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, youth transitioning from care, survivors of domestic violence, and others requiring stable, safe housing.

The session will highlight how CHPs can repurpose legacy stock to meet the growing demand for short-term, medium-term, and long-term accommodation while ensuring properties comply with current accessibility and support requirements.

Session Overview:

This pivotal panel explores the transformation of underutilised Specialist Disability Accommodation properties into flexible, sustainable housing solutions that meet urgent community needs—including crisis, transitional, and mental health accommodation, and in-home care.

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As vacancy rates rise across certain SDA segments—placing financial and operational pressure on investors and providers—this session addresses a timely opportunity: to activate these homes for broader impact housing purposes

By repurposing existing SDA stock through intentional design, collaborative tenancy models, and community partnerships, we can meet the escalating housing needs of people exiting care, survivors of domestic and family violence, people with psychosocial disabilities, and those experiencing housing insecurity.

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Drawing from real-world innovations and case studies, panellists will share practical strategies and cross-sector insights for optimising SDA assets without compromising regulatory compliance or participant safety.

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Key Themes and Discussion Points

• Repurposing Vacant SDA Homes: Challenges and Strategic Pathways

• Designing with Flexibility, Safety, and Dignity in Mind

•  Safe and Sustainable Housing for Crisis, Transition, and Recovery - How SDA and Transitional Housing providers can collaborate with domestic violence services, homelessness support, and mental health organisations to offer safe housing pathways.

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Session Outcome
Attendees will leave with:

• A deep understanding of how underutilised SDA stock can be repurposed as part of a national response to complex housing needs.

• Actionable frameworks for building collaborative partnerships that link policy, funding, and service delivery.

• Strategic insights into cross-sector solutions that reduce vacancies, optimise existing infrastructure, and expand inclusive housing options for Australians in crisis or transition.

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This panel underscores the role of Impact Housing—housing with intentional social purpose—in creating lasting change for individuals and families who need safety, stability, and support. It challenges stakeholders to think beyond traditional models and engage in scalable, community-driven solutions that bridge gaps between SDA, transitional housing, and long-term care.

Lunch 

As Australia moves away from institutional models of care, co-living within the framework of Specialist Disability Accommodation has emerged as a vital and transformative solution for people with disability.

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This session explores how shared living models promote not only independence but also social connection, safety, and a greater quality of life.

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We will examine the core benefits of co-living environments—ranging from enhanced opportunities for personal development and life skills, to the creation of supportive peer communities that reduce isolation

By providing purpose-built, accessible housing tailored to individual support needs, SDA co-living offers an alternative that is both practical and empowering.

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This presentation will also highlight how co-living contributes to a true sense of home, moving beyond traditional models of care to promote dignity, autonomy, and community. It will include practical insights into how providers, families, and stakeholders can support these arrangements, and how they align with the long-term vision of the NDIS.

As we move through 2025, the landscape of Specialist Disability Accommodation  and co-living models continues to shift in response to policy reforms, participant demand, and regional market dynamics.

The broadening of SDA eligibility has opened doors for a more diverse group of NDIS participants, while streamlined approval processes have changed the pace and nature of housing solutions across the country.

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This session will unpack the key changes affecting SDA and co-living in Queensland and beyond, including how oversupply in certain regions is reshaping the way housing providers approach vacancies, collaboration, and design. It will examine how co-living arrangements are being reimagined—not just as temporary solutions, but as sustainable models that promote choice, control, and connected living.

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Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the legal, practical, and strategic considerations shaping co-living in the SDA space, and explore pathways for delivering accommodation that is both compliant and responsive to evolving participant needs.

Break 

This session will explore the interconnected challenges facing child protection services, youth housing, and domestic violence survivors, while also addressing the issue of underutilised Specialist Disability Accommodation homes and vacant properties that investors struggle to fill.

Many of these investors, facing financial strain, are at risk of bankruptcy due to the lack of demand and high vacancy rates.

The discussion will delve into the root causes of these vacancies, including inadequate placement models for vulnerable populations and a mismatch between housing needs and available accommodations. It will also highlight the broader impact of this issue on child protection, youth at risk, and survivors of domestic violence who urgently require safe, stable housing.

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Key topics will include:

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• ​The increasing demand for housing solutions for young people, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals in child protection care.

• The challenges faced by investors in the SDA market, including vacancy rates, financial stress, and the risk of bankruptcy.

• Potential strategies for converting vacant SDA homes into suitable housing for vulnerable groups, bridging the gap between housing supply and demand.

• How the current housing market affects long-term outcomes for people in need, including mental health, stability, and well-being.

• The role of social housing providers, government agencies, and private investors in developing innovative solutions that meet the housing needs of vulnerable populations while securing the financial sustainability of SDA homes.

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This session aims to provide actionable insights into addressing these urgent challenges, offering a platform for collaboration between housing providers, investors, policymakers, and advocates to ensure that underutilised properties are repurposed effectively to serve the most vulnerable in society.

The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System final report includes recommendations for improving mental health services across the state, addressing issues like access, care coordination, and workforce development.

This presentation will discuss how housing is a critical aspect of the report, particularly in the context of providing secure, stable accommodation for individuals with mental health challenges and how it highlights the need for more integrated, supported housing models to better meet the needs of people living with mental illness, ensuring they have access to both stable housing and appropriate mental health services.

Delays in hospital discharge due to unavailable or inaccessible SDA housing continue to place pressure on both the health and disability sectors.

This presentation explores the critical challenges in transitioning NDIS participants from hospitals into appropriate SDA settings, highlighting systemic barriers such as limited housing supply, coordination gaps, and the mismatch between available homes and participant needs.

Emphasis will be placed on the strategic importance of placing SDA homes in close proximity to hospitals and health services.

Locating housing near care hubs not only reduces discharge delays but also enhances continuity of care, improves emergency response, and supports better long-term outcomes for individuals with complex needs. Through real-world examples and emerging strategies, this session will advocate for purposeful SDA placement that aligns healthcare and housing goals.

Panel Q & A 

Close and depart 

Dinner  (sit down 3 course dinner )  - please book this dinner in order to attend