Agenda
Day 1
Wed 27th August 25 

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

Dr John Chesterman, Queensland’s Public Advocate, will deliver a keynote address exploring The Next Chapter framework and its practical and policy implications for the disability housing and support sector.

Drawing on his leadership and long-standing advocacy in areas including cognitive disability, supported decision-making, and restrictive practices, Dr Chesterman will provide a powerful lens on how this reform agenda aligns with the findings of the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.

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His  presentation will examine how the framework reinforces the rights and protections of people with disability, and what this means for SDA and SIL providers amid a landscape of increasing scrutiny and reform.

Key themes will include the sector’s transition away from outdated, congregate models toward smaller, community-based and person-led settings; the imperative for cross-sector collaboration across housing, health, justice, and child protection systems; and the central role of lived experience, co-design, and trauma-informed care in driving future outcomes.

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This session is an essential briefing for any provider, policy leader, or advocate committed to ensuring quality, rights-based disability housing and support into the future.

As Specialist Disability Accommodation Participant numbers approach 30,000 by the end of 2025, the sector stands at a critical crossroads. While overall market growth continues, significant oversupply in some regions alongside acute shortages-particularly in Robust SDA, which supports participants with complex behaviours and higher support needs-highlight a gap between housing supply and participant requirements. Increasing access to Robust SDA is essential to ensure all participants have safe, appropriate, and stable housing options.

This panel will examine how shifting the focus from volume to value, supported by strategic cross-sector partnerships, can deliver fit-for-purpose housing tailored to the complexities of transitioning and high-support-need participants.

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Panelists will explore:

• National SDA growth trends and the risks posed by oversupply, informed by the latest data insights

• The urgent need for more Robust SDA and the challenges impeding its development

• The benefits of coordinated housing pathways that connect Robust SDA with short-term, medium-term, and mental health accommodation providers to enhance participant outcomes

• Strategic application of pipeline data to ensure new developments align with actual participant demand

• Innovative approaches including co-location, staged housing, and integrated support partnerships designed to address participant complexity and ensure housing continuity​

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Illustrative case studies will include:

• Justice Housing Pilot: Demonstrating how targeted SDA investment supports stable housing for ex-offenders with disability, reducing recidivism

• Hospital Discharge Partnership: Showcasing coordinated care models that shorten hospital stays and improve housing transitions for participants

• Mental Health Accommodation Collaboration: Highlighting integrated housing and support services for individuals with complex mental health needs transitioning to independence

• Robust SDA Co-Design Model: Featuring collaborative housing development tailored to the unique requirements of high-support-need participants

Break 

As the Specialist Disability Accommodation market matures, investors, providers, and developers are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory and ethical environment.

This session will unpack the latest guidance from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), highlighting key considerations for ethical investment in SDA, risks associated with misleading marketing, and the critical importance of due diligence.

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With SDA funding tied to participants—not properties—this session will address the misconception of "guaranteed returns" and "government-backed income."

It will also explore the obligations of investors and providers under Australian Consumer Law, the risks of unenrolled dwellings being marketed prematurely, and the legal implications of unfair contract terms.

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Featuring insights from compliance specialists and market analysts, this session will empower attendees to better understand:

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• SDA market dynamics and participant-driven funding

• Risk factors and misleading claims in investment promotions

• Investor obligations under NDIS rules and consumer law

• The enrolment process and its role in mitigating risk

• Best practice for transparent and ethical stakeholder engagement

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This is a critical discussion for providers, developers, financial advisors, and SDA investors committed to sustainable, participant-centred, and regulation-aligned practices in the SDA space.

Specialist Disability Accommodation is more than a property market—it’s a human rights initiative tied to inclusion, independence, and dignity. In a sector where participant funding—not the dwelling—is the core driver of income, unoccupied homes are not just a financial risk, but a symptom of missed alignment with participant need.

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This session explores how financial modelling, data-informed decision-making, and participant-centered design can work together to reduce vacancy risk while improving outcomes.

Rather than focusing on projected returns, we shift the narrative to investing in fit-for-purpose, participant-led housing solutions—the real key to occupancy, stability, and long-term viability.

Key themes include:

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• Understanding the financial and social costs of prolonged vacancy

• Using demand data to identify underserved regions and design types

• Embedding participant voice and lived experience early in the investment process

• The role of quality SDA providers and relationships in maintaining full occupancy

• Maximising outcomes: aligning design, location, and support models to attract and retain tenants

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This session is ideal for investors, developers, and providers ready to move from transactional to transformational, building housing that not only generates income—but creates real value for the people it’s meant to serve.

In the SDA market, prolonged vacancies are not just a financial burden—they reflect a disconnect between what’s being built and what participants actually need. This presentation explores how investors and providers can reduce vacancy risk by embedding participant choice, demand data, and co-design into their investment decisions from the outset.

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Attendees will gain insights into:

• Why homes remain empty: mismatched supply, location issues, and poor design fit

• How to access and use demand data to inform investment and site selection

• Understanding how participant choice, planning timelines, and support networks influence tenancy outcomes

• The financial benefits of building homes that Participants choose, not just homes that meet minimum standards

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This session highlights how a human-centered investment approach not only reduces risk- but creates more meaningful, sustainable SDA housing outcomes.

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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Lunch 

Successful SDA is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about people living well together. Tenancy matching is a critical factor in ensuring safe, sustainable, and harmonious living arrangements for participants with diverse needs and preferences. Yet, poor matching continues to lead to failed tenancies, participant distress, and costly vacancies.

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This presentation explores best practices, ethical considerations, and innovative models for effective tenancy matching in SDA settings.

It will cover:

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• Why tenancy matching matters: lived experience, risk management, and wellbeing

• Practical frameworks for matching based on support needs, communication styles, lifestyle preferences, and compatibility

• The role of Support Coordinators, SDA providers, families, and participants in co-designing living arrangements

• Lessons learned from failed matches—and how they could have been prevented

• Balancing participant choice and control with duty of care and operational constraints

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Through real-world examples and emerging approaches, this session will highlight how thoughtful tenancy matching supports quality of life, long-term occupancy, and stronger outcomes for everyone involved.

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.

With the rollout of key reforms to Short-Term (STA) and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) under the NDIS, 2025 marks a critical shift in how transitional housing supports are delivered across Queensland.

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This session will explore how recent national legislative and funding changes are reshaping the STA and MTA landscape—from stricter claim protocols and clearer eligibility definitions to new funding cycles and an emphasis on local service integration. These reforms aim to increase accountability and participant outcomes, but also present significant administrative and operational challenges for providers.

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Attendees will gain insight into the implications of these changes for Queensland-based organisations and participants, including:

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• The narrowing scope of STA usage and bundled services

• The increasing importance of specifying STA/MTA in participant plans

• The opportunities for using STA and MTA to reduce SDA vacancies and hospital discharge delays

As Queensland providers adjust to a more regulated and outcomes-focused system, this session will offer strategic guidance on how to remain compliant, optimise participant support, and ensure continuity of care during accommodation transitions.

Break 

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.

Networking and depart