Appendix H SDA Housing
Share your SDA home with the people who matter most, even if they don’t have SDA funding themselves.
What Is Appendix H?
Appendix H is an NDIS arrangement that lets you live with someone who doesn’t have SDA funding and are a large part of your informal support network..
This could be your partner, a parent, a sibling, an adult child, or a close friend.
You have SDA funding in your NDIS plan. They don’t. Appendix H means you can still live together in your SDA home. It means one participant, classifieds the property as “fully occupied”
It’s called Appendix H because it’s detailed in Appendix H of the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. But what it really means is you don’t have to choose between SDA housing and living with people you love.
You can request during your planning meeting to have it included in your plan. If this hasn’t been listed, you can also just find an SDA provider with a property that is approved for Appendix H. They will create the quote, and have it submitted to the NDIS and the Support Coordinator. The Home and Living Team will set the approved funding amount.
Appendix H Example Scenarios
Living with your partner
You’ve been with your partner (and/or possibly child/ren and you have parental responsibilities) for years. You have SDA funding because of your physical support needs. They don’t have a disability or NDIS funding, but are a huge part of your informal support. They may also help to manage your paid supports, so they can still work.
Under Appendix H, you can both live in your SDA home. You keep your SDA funding and supports. They contribute to household costs like groceries, bills and pay rent. You live together like any couple would. (Children don’t pay rent. A PWD (Persons With Disabilities) could live on their own under Appendix H and have their children part time).
Living with a parent or family member
You’re moving out of the family home into SDA housing, but you and your sister (or parents) want to stay close. She’s been, or is willing to be your main informal support and you just function better with her nearby.
Under Appendix H, your sister can live with you in your SDA home. You have your own bedroom and space. She has hers. You maintain independence while having someone who knows you well right there.She may help coordinate your paid supports.
This works particularly well in homes with 3+ bedrooms where layout allows for clear personal space alongside shared areas.
Living with a close friend
You have a close friend who provides informal support to you, reducing the number of hours you need to have paid supports in place, and you both want more independence, but neither of you wants to live alone. You have SDA funding. They don’t.
Under Appendix H, you can share your SDA home. You’re not related and they’re not your romantic partner, but they’re someone you trust and want to live with.
This arrangement needs careful assessment of suitability, but Appendix H doesn’t restrict relationships to family or romantic partners only.
How Appendix H works
Check your SDA funding
You must have SDA funding in your NDIS plan. The person you want to live with doesn't have SDA funding. (If both parties have SDA funding you can just use your normal SDA funding and live together.)
Find a suitable SDA home
The home needs enough bedrooms and appropriate layout. Typically this means 2+ bedroom homes, with OOA, though specifics depend on the situation.
Confirm suitability with your SDA provider
Your SDA provider (ANEW, in this case) assesses whether the home layout, bedroom numbers and tenancy structure can accommodate Appendix H.
Get NDIA agreement
NDIA needs to agree the Appendix H arrangement is suitable. Your Support Coordinator typically helps coordinate this.
Set up the tenancy
You sign a tenancy agreement as the SDA participant. The person you're living with is typically listed as an approved occupant, not a co-tenant. Legal structure varies.
Move in together
You pay your reasonable rent contribution (RRC) plus your SDA funding is claimed. They contribute to household costs (bills, groceries, etc.) and pay rent.
Frequently asked questions
Does the person I live with need to be family?
No. Appendix H can include partners, family members, or close friends.
The relationship needs to be genuine and supportive, but it doesn’t have to be a family relationship.
Can more than one person live with me under Appendix H?
This depends on bedroom numbers and home layout.
One additional person is most common. Two (for example parents, or a partner and children) is completely normal, and depends heavily on the specific property and NDIA agreement.
Does the person I live with sign a lease?
Usually no.
You’re the SDA participant and primary tenant. The person you live with is typically listed as an approved occupant. Legal structures vary, so confirm with your provider.
Does the person I live with pay rent?
Yes, if they are over 18 they typically pay rent.
It depends on the relationship whether it is a couple rate or two individual rates. Plus they contribute to household costs like groceries, electricity, internet and general living expenses.
How you split household costs is between you and the person you live with. Some families split everything equally. Some arrangements are different. It’s your household to organise.
Does Appendix H affect my SDA funding amount?
No.
Your SDA funding amount is based on your category and dwelling type, not who you live with.
What if the person I live with has income or assets?
Their financial situation doesn’t affect your SDA funding.
Appendix H is about housing arrangements, not means testing the people you live with.
What if I want to move out?
If you move out of the SDA home, the Appendix H arrangement ends.
The person you were living with can’t stay in the SDA home without you, because they don’t have SDA funding.
For support coordinators
We know you’re often the one coordinating Appendix H applications and navigating NDIA requirements.
What we need from you:
- Clear information about the proposed Appendix H arrangement (who, why, relationship)
- Confirmation the participant has SDA funding in their plan, and what category.
- Willingness to work through suitability questions with us before formal application
What we provide:
- Honest assessment of whether our specific homes can accommodate Appendix H
- Information about layout, bedroom numbers and tenancy structure
- Collaboration with you and NDIA to make suitable arrangements work
What helps:
Starting the Appendix H conversation early, before participants are attached to a specific property. This gives us time to assess properly and avoid disappointment.