High Physical Support (HPS) SDA is purpose-built housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high physical support needs. These homes include ceiling hoists with tracking systems, Onsite Overnight Assistance quarters, emergency backup power, and comprehensive assistive technology infrastructure. This represents the highest level of physical accessibility within the four SDA design categories.

This guide explains who needs high physical support SDA, what makes it different from Fully Accessible housing, and how to qualify for HPS funding through the NDIS.

What is High Physical Support SDA?

High Physical Support is one of four SDA design categories funded by the NDIS: Improved Liveability (sensory, intellectual, cognitive needs), Fully Accessible (wheelchair users, mobility impairments), High Physical Support (very high physical support needs), and Robust (complex behavioural support needs).

What sets HPS apart is advanced assistive technology. While Fully Accessible SDA provides comprehensive wheelchair accessibility, HPS includes ceiling hoists, emergency backup power, and Onsite Overnight Assistance quarters. These features enable independence for people whose physical support needs require ceiling hoists for safe transfers, emergency power for critical equipment, and infrastructure for 24/7 support when needed.

Learn more in our four SDA design categories guide and the official NDIS SDA guide for participants.

Who Needs High Physical Support SDA Housing?

High physical support SDA is designed for people with extreme functional impairment requiring significant physical assistance with daily activities. Eligibility is based on your functional support needs, not diagnosis alone.

Conditions that may require HPS design include spinal cord injuries (quadriplegia, tetraplegia), cerebral palsy with significant physical impairment, muscular dystrophy and progressive neuromuscular conditions, multiple sclerosis with advanced limitations, and acquired brain injury with severe physical impairment.

The NDIS assesses whether you have "extreme functional impairment" and "very high support needs". This means you require extensive physical assistance with transferring, personal care, and mobility. If you need ceiling hoists for safe transfers, emergency power for critical equipment, or overnight support infrastructure, HPS provides these features.

Key Features of High Physical Support SDA Homes

High physical support SDA homes meet the highest accessibility standards under the NDIS SDA Design Standard. Every feature serves a purpose: enabling independence, ensuring safety, and supporting dignity in your daily life.

Ceiling Hoists and Tracking Systems

Ceiling-mounted hoists with tracking systems enable safe transfers throughout your home without manual lifting. The tracking extends from bedroom to bathroom to living spaces, allowing movement between bed, wheelchair, and other areas with dignity and safety.

Ceiling hoists eliminate physical strain on support workers and give you control over when and how transfers happen. They require reinforced ceiling structures. Standard accessible homes, even Fully Accessible SDA, aren't built to support these loads.

Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA) Quarters

OOA quarters are separate living spaces with a private bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and independent access for support workers. The separate entry means support workers can come and go without entering your main living space, protecting your privacy while ensuring immediate assistance when needed overnight.

Many people with high physical support needs require overnight assistance for repositioning, personal care, or emergencies. OOA quarters enable this support without compromising your independence. You choose your support level. OOA quarters are infrastructure, not a requirement to use 24/7 support.

Emergency Backup Power (Minimum 2 Hours)

Emergency backup power activates automatically during outages, supporting critical systems including ceiling hoists, electric beds, communication devices, and medical equipment for a minimum of two hours.

For people relying on powered assistive technology, outages can be dangerous. If you need a ceiling hoist to transfer, a power outage in standard housing means you're stuck. Emergency backup power eliminates this risk by ensuring ceiling hoists, communication devices, and environmental controls continue operating.

Assistive Technology Infrastructure

Pre-wired infrastructure supports smart home integration, communication systems, and environmental controls. You can control lighting, heating, cooling, and motorised equipment using switches, voice commands, or communication devices. The infrastructure is future-ready as assistive technology evolves.

Enhanced Accessibility Features

HPS homes include wider doorways than Fully Accessible standard, providing circulation space for wheelchair users with support workers. Accessible kitchens feature adjustable-height benches and reachable storage. Larger bathrooms include roll-in showers and ceiling hoist access with generous circulation space. Level access throughout means no steps or barriers between rooms.

High Physical Support vs Fully Accessible SDA: Key Differences

Both categories provide comprehensive wheelchair accessibility with wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, and level access. The key differences:

Ceiling Hoists: Fully Accessible doesn't include them (portable hoists provided through Assistive Technology funding). High Physical Support includes ceiling-mounted hoists with tracking systems throughout the home.

OOA Quarters: Not required in Fully Accessible. High Physical Support includes separate bedroom and ensuite for support workers with independent access.

Emergency Backup Power: Not required in Fully Accessible. High Physical Support includes minimum 2 hours backup power for critical systems.

When to choose each: If you can safely transfer using portable hoists and don't require emergency backup power, Fully Accessible likely meets your needs. If you need ceiling-mounted hoists for safe transfers, or power outages put your health at risk, or your support needs include 24/7 availability, HPS provides the necessary infrastructure.

Learn more about Fully Accessible SDA. Your Occupational Therapist's functional assessment will help determine which category best supports your needs.

How High Physical Support SDA Fits Into the 4 Design Categories

The four SDA design categories address different support needs:

Improved Liveability: For sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairments (improved lighting, acoustics, orientation cues).

Fully Accessible: For wheelchair users with mobility impairments (comprehensive wheelchair accessibility).

High Physical Support: For extreme functional impairment (includes everything in Fully Accessible plus ceiling hoists, OOA quarters, emergency backup power).

Robust: For complex behavioural support needs (reinforced walls, enhanced safety features).

Categories can combine when support needs require multiple design features. HPS represents the highest level of physical accessibility. This design is ideal when your needs centre on physical assistance, safe transfers, and powered assistive technology.

Read our SDA design categories complete guide for comprehensive comparison.

Qualifying for High Physical Support SDA Funding

You must be an NDIS participant and meet SDA eligibility criteria showing extreme functional impairment or very high support needs that require purpose-built housing.

Evidence Requirements:

Occupational Therapy reports document your support needs, current living situation risks, and how HPS features would improve safety and independence. This is typically the most critical evidence.

Medical evidence from your GP, specialists, or allied health professionals validates your disability, prognosis, and support requirements.

Home and Living Supports request form is the formal application your support coordinator helps complete, explaining why you need SDA and which category applies.

The NDIA applies a "reasonable and necessary" test assessing whether HPS funding is related to your disability, effective for your needs, value for money, and not available through other systems.

Timeline: The NDIA typically takes 4-8 weeks to assess SDA requests, though complex cases can take 3-6 months.

Note: SDA funds the housing; Support in Lieu (SIL) funds support services. These are separate NDIS plan lines. Read our SDA vs SIL comparison guide for details.

For comprehensive eligibility information, visit our SDA eligibility requirements guide.

The High Physical Support SDA Application Process

The application process typically involves:

1. Initial conversation with your support coordinator about housing needs and HPS appropriateness
2. OT assessment documenting your current situation, transfer needs, and how HPS features would improve safety
3. Submit Home and Living Supports request with evidence from OT and medical professionals
4. NDIA assessment (typically 4-8 weeks, complex cases longer)
5. Plan approval with SDA funding specifying High Physical Support category
6. Property search begins (contact SDA providers about available HPS homes)

Property availability varies by location and requirements. Some participants find housing within weeks; others wait months.

For detailed transition guidance, read our SDA transition steps guide.

High Physical Support SDA in Melbourne and Victoria

At Paramount, proximity to family matters as much as accessibility features. We choose Melbourne locations strategically. We focus on suburbs where you can stay connected to family, existing healthcare providers, and accessible transport networks.

Independence isn't isolation. For people with high physical support needs, proximity to family often makes the difference between thriving independently and feeling disconnected. When you live close to family, they can visit regularly, attend appointments, and stay involved without long commutes.

We provide HPS homes in Melbourne locations chosen for community connection. Our properties offer access to healthcare services, shopping centres, public transport with accessibility features, and family networks. We work with families during property matching. If you want to live near your family home in Melbourne's northern suburbs, we focus on that region.

If you have HPS funding approved, contact us to discuss available Melbourne properties: (03) 9999 7418 or explore our SDA homes.

What to Expect When Moving Into High Physical Support SDA

Work with your OT before move-in to specify ceiling hoist requirements. The property includes hoists, but slings and harnesses must match your needs. During property viewings, bring support workers to test circulation space and understand where hoist tracking extends.

If you receive Support in Lieu services, coordinate with your SIL provider so they understand the property layout, OOA quarters location, and how to operate ceiling hoists and emergency backup systems.

During your first weeks, you'll familiarise yourself with HPS features. The property manager handles building maintenance including ceiling hoists; your NDIS funding covers personal assistive technology maintenance.

Read our SDA transition guide for comprehensive move-in guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions About High Physical Support SDA

Q: Can my family live with me in High Physical Support SDA?

Yes, through Appendix H arrangements. This enables family members to live with you in SDA properties when it supports your goals and doesn't compromise your support needs. The arrangement requires NDIS approval and typically involves your family member contributing financially. Learn more in our Appendix H guide.

Q: How much does High Physical Support SDA cost?

You pay a reasonable rent contribution, typically around 25% of the Disability Support Pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The NDIS covers the majority of SDA costs. Your rent contribution remains approximately the same regardless of design category. You're also responsible for bond payments (typically 4 weeks' rent), contents insurance, and personal belongings.

Q: Do I need 24/7 support to live in High Physical Support SDA?

No. SDA is housing; SIL is support services. They're separate. High Physical Support homes include OOA quarters because many people with HPS support needs require overnight assistance, but you choose your support level. Some people live independently with periodic support, others receive daytime support only, and some need 24/7 assistance.

Q: What's the difference between SDA and SIL?

SDA is the physical dwelling with accessibility features. SIL is support services, meaning staff who assist with daily activities. They're funded separately in your NDIS plan. At Paramount, we provide HPS housing only. Participants choose their own support providers. Read our complete SDA vs SIL comparison guide.

Q: Can I choose my own support workers in High Physical Support SDA?

Yes. Living in HPS housing doesn't restrict your choice of support providers or workers. Paramount provides housing only and doesn't restrict which support providers you engage. You maintain complete control over who enters your home and provides your care.

Q: How long does it take to get approved for High Physical Support SDA?

NDIA assessment typically takes 4-8 weeks. Total timeline from application to move-in varies based on property availability. Some participants find properties within weeks, others wait months depending on location and specific requirements. Speak with your support coordinator for guidance specific to your situation.

Q: What if the power goes out? Will my ceiling hoist still work?

Yes. HPS includes emergency backup power (minimum 2 hours) that automatically activates during outages, supporting critical systems including ceiling hoists, electric beds, environmental controls, and communication devices. The system engages and switches back automatically.

Q: Can I modify my High Physical Support SDA home?

Minor modifications require landlord approval (like any rental). Major structural changes require separate NDIS Assistive Technology funding and approval from both the NDIA and property owner. Many requested modifications may already be addressed by HPS design features, so discuss your needs with the property manager first.

Conclusion

High physical support SDA provides the highest level of physical accessibility and assistive technology infrastructure available in specialist disability housing. With ceiling hoists, OOA quarters, emergency backup power, and comprehensive accessibility features, HPS homes enable independence for people with extreme functional impairment.

If you require ceiling-mounted hoists for safe transfers, depend on powered assistive technology needing emergency backup, or need infrastructure supporting 24/7 assistance, HPS provides the design features you require. Qualifying for funding requires comprehensive evidence from your OT and medical professionals demonstrating that specialist housing is "reasonable and necessary" for your circumstances.

At Paramount, we provide High Physical Support SDA homes in Melbourne locations chosen for proximity to family and community networks. We believe staying connected to the people who matter most supports independence just as much as advanced accessibility features.

Contact Paramount Disability Homes:

• Phone: (03) 9999 7418
• Email: admin@paramounthomes.com.au
• Website: Explore our SDA homes

Independence with the right support, in the right location, near the people who matter. That's what High Physical Support SDA makes possible.