Living independently is a goal most of us share, but for people with significant physical disabilities, the standard housing market simply wasn't designed with them in mind. Narrow doorways, step entries, inaccessible bathrooms, and homes without the infrastructure for overnight support all create barriers that a coat of paint won't fix.
Specialist Disability Accommodation. Specifically, the High Physical Support design category, exists to address exactly this. This guide explains what high physical support SDA looks like, who it's designed for, and how to access it in Perth.
Who Has High Physical Support Needs?
High physical support needs generally refers to participants who:
- Use a power wheelchair full time or for most of daily life
- Require ceiling hoists or similar equipment for transfers
- Need an overnight support worker nearby (via an Onsite Overnight Assistance room)
- Have respiratory support needs (e.g., ventilator use)
- Have very limited upper and lower limb function
- Rely on assistive technology and environmental controls for many daily tasks
Common conditions include spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy with significant physical involvement, and acquired brain injury with severe physical impairment.
If this sounds like you or someone you support, High Physical Support SDA may be the most appropriate long-term housing solution.
What Does a High Physical Support SDA Property Look Like?
A High Physical Support SDA property isn't just a standard home with a ramp added. It's designed from the ground up for people with complex physical needs. Under the NDIS SDA design standards, these properties must include:
Structural requirements
- Step-free entry and level access throughout: no thresholds, no lips, no raised doorways
- Wide corridors and doorways: minimum widths to accommodate large power wheelchairs
- Reinforced ceilings: structural capacity to install or accommodate ceiling hoists
- Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA) room: a dedicated bedroom for a support worker who stays on-site overnight when needed, with its own ensuite
Bathroom and living
- Accessible ensuite in every bedroom: designed for full wheelchair access, transfer space, and hoist use
- Roll-in shower with no threshold
- Accessible kitchen with appropriate bench heights and clearances
- Turning circles in key areas for large wheelchairs
Technology infrastructure
- Wiring and infrastructure for environmental control systems and smart home technology
- Systems for automated lighting, blinds, locks, and climate control
- Video intercom and entry management accessible from bed or wheelchair
The Role of Smart Home Technology
For people with high physical support needs, smart home technology isn't a luxury. It's often essential for genuine independence. Being able to control your lights, blinds, door locks, appliances, and TV from your phone, voice, or a bed-mounted switch changes what's possible at home.
At Innogreen, we build smart home technology into every property as standard. This includes:
- Voice-controlled lighting and blinds: works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
- Smart locks and video intercom: answer the door and grant access without leaving your bed or chair
- Automated environmental controls: heating, cooling, and ceiling fans controllable by app or voice
- Smart TV integration: voice or app-controlled entertainment
- Solar panels: reducing energy costs in a home where assistive technology runs around the clock
Because these features are built in, participants don't need to fund or install them separately through their NDIS AT budget.
The Difference It Makes: Independence at Home
The value of purpose-built High Physical Support SDA goes beyond accessibility. It's about the quality of your day-to-day life.
Consider the difference between:
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Needing a support worker to turn on the lights, open the blinds, and adjust the temperature every morning vs. doing all of that from your phone before you even get up.
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Waiting for a support worker to answer the door vs. seeing who's there on your phone and buzzing them in yourself.
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Living in a home where you're constantly bumping into door frames vs. moving freely through wide corridors designed for your chair.
These aren't small things. They're the substance of a good life.
SDA in Perth: What to Expect
Perth's SDA market has matured significantly over the past few years. High Physical Support properties are the most common type being developed, driven by demand from participants with spinal cord injury, progressive neurological conditions, and other complex physical needs.
When searching for High Physical Support SDA in Perth, look for:
- Full OOA room with ensuite (not just a sleep-in space)
- Ceiling hoist provisions: even if you don't need one now, it future-proofs the property
- Genuine smart home integration: not just a smart speaker, but wired systems that work throughout the home
- Solar panels: energy costs in a tech-enabled home can be significant
- Location: proximity to your support team, family, medical services, and community
How to Access High Physical Support SDA
Step 1: Get SDA in your plan
You'll need an OT assessment documenting your functional needs and a strong case for why standard housing isn't appropriate. Your support coordinator can help you build this evidence.
Step 2: Confirm your design category
Your plan should specify "High Physical Support" as your eligible design category. If it says something different but you have complex physical needs, discuss this with your support coordinator at your next plan review.
Step 3: Search for properties
Contact SDA providers directly, work with your support coordinator, or use the NDIS Provider Finder to locate High Physical Support properties in Perth. Many providers manage waitlists, so it's worth making contact early even if nothing is available immediately.
Step 4: Arrange an inspection
Visit properties with your support coordinator and OT if possible. They can assess whether the property genuinely meets your needs, not just on paper but in practice.
Innogreen High Physical Support Properties in Perth
All Innogreen SDA properties are built to High Physical Support standard. We currently have properties available in:
- Armadale: 3-bedroom, near Sherwood Train Station
- Baldivis: 3-bedroom, near Baldivis Shopping Centre
- Morley: 2-bedroom, near Morley Galleria
Every property includes ceiling hoist provisions, OOA room, smart home technology, solar panels, and full accessible design throughout.
If you're ready to explore your options, view our current vacancies or contact us to discuss your situation.