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Key themes will include the sector’s transition away from outdated, congregate models toward smaller, community-based and person-led settings; the imperative for cross-sector collaboration across housing, health, justice, and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.

Safe, secure and appropriate housing is a critical social determinant of mental health and wellbeing, particularly for individuals with complex support needs, including those living with mental ill-health, psychosocial disability and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) challenges.  

In this address, Deborah Pratt will provide a strategic overview of how integrated, cross-sector collaboration can reshape Queensland’s housing and mental health landscape.

Drawing on the Queensland Mental Health Commission’s supportive housing statement, More than a roof, Deborah will speak about the importance of providing a continuum of tailored and appropriate supports, the need utilise innovative and evidence-based models that increase supportive housing access through new and existing housing stock, and the importance of working with stakeholders across government, private and community providers to drive better outcomes for Queenslanders.

This keynote will be especially relevant for those working across mental health, disability services, housing, and care coordination - offering policy insight, practical direction, and opportunities for collaboration.

This pivotal panel explores how underutilised Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) properties can be transformed into high-impact, flexible housing solutions that respond to a growing range of unmet needs - including Short Term (STA), Medium Term (MTA), Crisis, Mental Health, and other forms of Impact Housing.

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With rising vacancy rates in certain SDA segments and an escalating demand for diverse housing options, this session presents a timely opportunity: How can SDA stock be repurposed, reimagined, and activated as part of a national solution to urgent housing challenges?

​Key Themes and Discussion Points : Collaboration and Safe Housing ​​​

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Morning tea 

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.

As SDA participant numbers approach 30,000 by the end of 2025, the sector faces increasing complexity.

While market growth continues, it is uneven-characterised by oversupply in some locations, critical under-supply in areas like Robust SDA, and rising pressure on providers to deliver participant-centred, regulation-compliant, and socially responsible housing.

This session, led by a keynote-style speaker presentation followed by a targeted panel and Q&A, will explore the realities behind vacancy rates, financial risk, ethical investment, and unmet participant needs, with a particular lens on social impact.

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Michael will draw from real-world experience and market data to unpack the challenges and risks currently shaping SDA, with a clear-eyed view of:
 
•    Vacancy & Risk: The fallacy of “guaranteed returns” and the oversupply trap
•    Due Diligence & Data: The need for localised data to guide development
•    Financial Modelling: Investment realities vs theoretical returns
•    Design & Participant Voice: The consequences of misalignment with actual support needs
•    Construction & Lease-Up Risk: Delays, enrolment gaps, and cashflow strain
•    Participant Sourcing: Why it's a core competency of SDA providers
•    Operational Realities – Vacancy and risk management, Participant qualification and funding pathways, SDA claiming processes,

      arrears handling, and the essential role of Participant Sourcing in maintaining sustainable operations.  
•    Social Impact: Reframing SDA not just as property, but as purpose-driven infrastructure​

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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Audience Q & A  

Lunch and networking 

Highlighting the department’s commitment to creating inclusive, accessible, and sustainable housing solutions for people with disabilities. The speech will explore the department’s strategic initiatives in disability accommodation, residential reform, and broader housing policy, showcasing how these efforts align with Queensland’s vision for a more inclusive society.

The Deputy Director-General will also discuss the importance of partnerships between government, industry, and community organisations in driving meaningful change.

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Across Queensland, more than 1,000 people remain in hospital, despite being medically ready for discharge.  
Without access to appropriate housing and supports, they are unable to safely transition back into the community - often spending extended periods in hospital environments that are not designed for long-term living or disability support.  

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Although few of these people will be eligible for NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation, there may be opportunities for Specialist Disability Accommodation to support patients as they transition from hospital to home.
In this presentation, James Parker, Manager, Disability Health Policy in Queensland Health, will explore the systemic challenges contributing to delayed discharges - including administrative delays, housing and workforce availability and gaps in coordination between sectors - and the significant impact these delays have on the effectiveness of our public health system.

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James will also outline Queensland Health’s policy response and the work underway to address this issue. 

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This session is an important conversation for SDA & SIL Providers, Coordinators, Allied Health professionals, focused on enabling timely, appropriate transitions into the community - and ensuring people with disability can live where and how they choose, with the right supports in place.

Jeremy Soden, Director and SDA Assessor at Forward Access, provides an expert overview of the current state of Specialist Disability Accommodation in Queensland.

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Drawing on his extensive experience as an SDA Assessor, access consultant, and building certifier, Jeremy explores the synergies between SDA and social housing, highlighting emerging opportunities for SDA and Supported Independent Living providers.

He offers practical insights into what’s happening on the ground and shares a brief outlook on how the upcoming 2032 Olympics could shape accessible housing and infrastructure in Queensland.

Break 

The demand for Robust SDA continues to rise, particularly for individuals with complex behavioural and psychosocial needs, yet delivery remains slow and fragmented. This presentation explores the critical shortfall in Robust SDA supply and the key barriers impeding development — from restrictive design interpretations and funding gaps to planning issues and poor alignment between housing and support services.

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Drawing on real-world examples, the session highlights the risks of inaction, including extended hospital stays, justice involvement, and failed placements. It also offers practical, solutions-focused strategies such as co-design, policy reform, and improved cross-sector collaboration to ensure Robust SDA meets the needs of those it’s intended to support.

Since the pandemic, participant expectations and functional housing needs have significantly evolved. High Physical Support (HPS) dwellings now frequently include additional ensuites, private breakout areas, and second living spaces—not because they improve yield on paper, but because they drive occupancy and service stability in real terms.

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This session will explore how SDA success is no longer just about NDIS design compliance—it’s about designing homes that work for everyone involved. For SIL providers, the layout, location, and liveability of a property directly impact the quality of care they can provide.

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For architects and developers, that means going beyond participant-centric design and embedding service-aware and operationally aligned thinking from the outset.

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Together, we’ll unpack:
•    How changing SDA design trends are improving tenancy success—but only when aligned with SIL delivery models
•    The operational reality of SIL teams: why poorly considered layouts, inadequate OOA space, and inefficient workflows lead to staff fatigue and participant disruption
•    Practical design inclusions that support service delivery—such as smart separation of personal and shared zones, visibility lines, and spaces for staff downtime and admin
•    The importance of relationship-based design: how architects and developers can co-design with SIL providers to ensure homes are fit for long-term use
•    Planning with scale in mind: how the density and location of SDA developments can affect rostering, staff deployment, and the feasibility of supporting multiple homes

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This is a call to reframe SDA design as a shared responsibility—where functional, well-thought-out spaces empower care teams, promote resident stability, and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders. 
 

Last Q & A with audience and panel 

Networking and depart