28/08/2025
I have been a strong advocate for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) since the NDIS first commenced, in North Queensland, in 2016. This was an exciting opportunity for people with disability to move away from Governments being the only supplier of accommodation to disadvantaged people in our communities. As a Social Worker, I have been very active in the NDIS space and have seen many positive outcomes for people with disability.
Unfortunately, when a system changes so dramatically, and the funding is substantially increased, the industry identified that unscrupulous people would enter, specifically for financial gain. SDA is one part of that. I applauded the NDIA for allowing the market to build properties, as Governments can not be as efficient and it was up to investors to develop the right designs, in the right location, to achieve a positive outcome for people with disability and an effective financial outcome. This was to be a successful outcome.
Since my involvement, I have seen many positive outcomes, as the original properties that I have been connected to were built to a design that was acceptable to people with disability, located in close proximity to services and support workers, and able to develop a strong income for the owners. These relationships are still going.
Of recent times, however, the industry fears, in 2016, have now come to fruition. There are many properties that have been built in unsuitable locations for the current environment. Over the past 16 months, I have travelled across Australia and took the opportunity to visit a high number of new suburbs with SDA properties located within them. I must admit that I was taken aback when I saw the location and, in many cases, design flaws, that would hinder the owner to attract suitable tenants to offer effective financial returns. I’m aware that a possible class action is being commenced and these are the developers who need to be targeted.
As many people would know, I am passionate about good outcomes for people that I work with. Every day I am connecting with more and more owners of property who are struggling financially due to effective marketing. These stories are now affecting my mental health as I cannot guarantee a positive outcome and do not see a change, in many cases, for the next two years, at least.
As of earlier this week, I have chosen to step away from the industry and ‘pause’ my business. I’ll keep an eye on things and make a decision in the future to return but for my own health I need to take a break.
