The main levels of accessibility in Australian housing
- Livable Housing Australia — Silver: basic entry, corridor and bathroom features. Increasingly common in new mainstream builds.
- Livable Housing Australia — Gold / Platinum: greater turning space, reinforced walls and further layout flexibility.
- SDA design categories: purpose-designed, NDIS-enrolled homes for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. See SDA overview.
What to actually check when comparing homes
- Level or ramped entry (and adequate landing depth).
- Corridor and doorway widths for your equipment.
- Bathroom layout — floor space for a hoist, turning circle, transfer clearances.
- Kitchen bench height and knee clearance if you cook.
- Reinforcement in walls where grab-rails or a hoist may be added later.
- Cooling, heating and ventilation — matters more than most listings show.
- Access from the driveway to the front door, and from the home to any outdoor space.
Frequently asked questions
- Is all accessible housing SDA?
- No. SDA is a specific NDIS-funded category. Many accessible homes — including Livable Housing Australia Silver and Gold builds — provide good access without being SDA-enrolled.
- What features actually matter?
- Level or step-free entry, wide doorways, a bathroom that fits equipment and support, adequate turning space, and enough structural reinforcement to add rails or hoists later. Feature checklists vary by person — walk the space with your OT wherever possible.