Can you buy a home through the NDIS? This is a common question among Australians with disabilities, their families, and support coordinators. Understanding how the NDIS can help with housing is crucial for achieving long-term independence, stability, and quality of life. Below, we provide a detailed guide that covers what’s possible, how it works, key requirements, common hurdles, and how to get the best support on your NDIS journey.

[object Object]

Can You Buy a Home Through the NDIS?

What Does it Mean to Buy a Home Through the NDIS?

[object Object] When people ask if you can “buy a home through the NDIS”, they are usually wondering whether the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) directly funds the purchase of property, or if you can use your NDIS funding to cover home ownership costs. While the NDIS does not pay for the purchase of a home, it plays a significant role in supporting people to access and maintain suitable, accessible housing.

Why Accessible Housing Is Critical

[object Object] Housing is a cornerstone of independence and wellbeing for people with disability. Appropriate housing can:

• Enable community participation and daily living activities
• Offer safety, stability, and choice [object Object]
• Reduce reliance on residential care or hospital stays

Recognising this, the NDIS provides supports for housing-related needs, especially for those with high support requirements. [object Object]

[object Object]

How the NDIS Can Help with Housing

NDIS Funding Housing Supports: The Types

Although you cannot buy a house outright with NDIS funding, the NDIS offers multiple housing-related supports including: [object Object]

• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Funding for participants who need very high support and accessible homes due to extreme functional impairment or high support needs.
• Supported Independent Living (SIL): Funds for on-site support with personal care, home activities, and community participation (not the dwelling itself, but the support inside). [object Object]
• Individual Living Options (ILO): Flexible arrangements for participants to live how and where they want, with tailored supports.
• Home Modifications: Funding for home alterations to improve accessibility (such as ramps, railings, bathrooms).
• Assistive Technology: Equipment making homes safer and easier to live in. [object Object]
• Short & Medium-Term Accommodation: Funding for interim stays (respite, transitioning, or waiting for permanent home).

Can You Use NDIS Funding for a Home Deposit or Mortgage?

[object Object]

• Direct Home Purchase: The NDIS does not cover the cost of buying property, house deposits, or mortgage repayments.
• Rental Support: NDIS does not provide funds for rent (except in specific SDA settings via Reasonable Rent Contribution).
• What It Funds: NDIS can fund the disability-specific costs associated with living in a home — such as the cost difference between regular housing and SDA, home modifications, or assistive supports. [object Object]

[object Object]

How to Access NDIS Housing Supports

Eligibility Steps

1. Become an NDIS Participant: Apply and get approval to be part of the NDIS. [object Object]
2. Assessment of Need: During planning, work with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Support Coordinator, or Planner to identify your housing goals.
3. Obtain Specialist Assessments: For major supports (like SDA), you’ll need functional assessments and evidence from allied health professionals or occupational therapists describing:
   • Your housing needs [object Object]
   • Your functional impairments
   • Why mainstream housing isn’t suitable
4. NDIS Plan Consideration: Housing supports are included in your plan if ‘reasonable and necessary’ under the NDIS legislation. [object Object]
5. Implement & Choose Providers: Use your NDIS funds to work with registered providers (builders, SDA operators, support coordinators).

For Home Ownership

[object Object] While you cannot use NDIS funds to buy a home, you can:

• Live in your own home (privately purchased or with family) and receive NDIS-funded home modifications, assistive technology, or SIL supports within that home.
• Apply for SDA funding if you’re eligible, then choose to live in SDA housing that may be owned by you, your family, or an SDA provider. (There are some rare cases where individuals or families invest in accessible housing, register it as SDA, and receive payments from the NDIS — consult a financial advisor for this complex option.) [object Object]

[object Object]

Migrants & Australian Citizenship: What About Non-Citizens?

• Eligibility: Only Australian citizens, permanent residents, and Protected Special Category Visa holders can access the NDIS.
• Pathway: Migrants without permanent residency are not currently eligible for NDIS, and so cannot access NDIS-funded accommodation or supports until their visa status changes. [object Object]

[object Object]

Key Benefits and Features

• Increased Independence: Supports people to live in regular homes, community settings, and own or rent independently.
• Choice and Control: Participants can choose where they live and who they live with. [object Object]
• Improved Living Standards: Home modifications and modern accessible accommodation options.
• Personalised Support: NDIS plan is tailored to individual needs including housing goals.
• Collaboration: Encourages collaboration between participants, families, providers, and housing developers. [object Object]

[object Object]

Common Challenges & Solutions