You've been approved for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). You've found the right property. The move-in date is confirmed. Then someone mentions utilities, and you realise there's a whole practical side to setting up SDA utilities that nobody's explained.

Here's what we've learned from helping families through this process: the utility setup isn't complicated, but it does take time. Most families start thinking about electricity, gas, water, and internet about two weeks before move-in. That's cutting it fine. We'll walk you through what's actually included in your SDA housing, what you need to arrange yourself, and how to make the whole process smoother.

This is the practical guide to setting up utilities in SDA properties that we wish existed when families first asked us about it.

What's Included in SDA Housing (And What Isn't)

The first question families ask: "What do we actually need to arrange?"

Your SDA funding covers the dwelling itself. That means the purpose-built structure, accessibility features like ceiling hoists and wide doorways, property maintenance, and major systems like plumbing and electrical infrastructure. Your rental agreement clarifies exactly what the housing provider maintains.

What SDA funding doesn't cover is living costs. You're responsible for arranging and paying for electricity, gas (if your property uses it), water (in most cases), internet, and phone services. These are standard tenancy expenses, just like any rental property.

The NDIS doesn't fund utilities except in very rare circumstances, such as when medical equipment requires unusually high electricity usage and this has been specifically approved in your NDIS plan. For the vast majority of participants, utilities are personal living expenses you budget for separately from your SDA funding.

Your reasonable rent contribution (RRC) is also separate from utilities. The RRC is typically 25% of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) plus 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA), and it goes toward your rent, not your living costs. Understanding this distinction helps you budget accurately.

We provide the property and maintain it. You arrange the services that make it your home. That's the honest breakdown.

Setting Up Utilities in Your SDA Home

Start this process 2-3 weeks before your move-in date. Utility companies work on their own timelines, which can be frustrating when you're eager to settle in.

Electricity and Gas Connections

Electricity is essential and should be your first priority. Contact electricity retailers operating in Victoria (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Red Energy, and others) to compare plans. Many retailers offer concessions for Centrelink recipients, which can reduce your bills significantly.

You'll need your property address, identification, and your move-in date. The connection process typically takes 5-10 business days from when you submit your application. If the property already has an active connection from the previous tenant, the transfer can happen within 2-3 business days.

Gas follows the same process if your property uses it for heating or cooking. Not all SDA properties have gas connections. Check with your housing provider before comparing gas plans. If your property is all-electric, you can skip this step entirely.

Connection fees vary by retailer. Some waive connection fees as part of promotional offers. Others charge $20-60 for standard connections. Ask about these fees upfront so there are no surprises.

Water Services (Often Included)

Water is handled differently depending on your rental agreement type. In many SDA properties, water usage charges are included in your rent, though you may still be responsible for excess water usage above a certain threshold.

Check your rental agreement to confirm whether water is your responsibility. If it is, contact your local water authority (in Melbourne, that's typically Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, or City West Water depending on your suburb). The connection process is similar to electricity.

Internet and Phone Setup

We're covering internet separately in the next section because it deserves more detailed attention. But start thinking about it now. Reliable internet matters for staying connected to family, accessing telehealth appointments, and simply feeling part of the world.

Phone services are typically bundled with internet plans these days. If you prefer a landline, mention this when comparing internet providers. Most NBN plans can include phone services at minimal additional cost.

Internet Access: What to Consider for SDA Properties

Internet isn't just about entertainment. It's about video calls with family, telehealth appointments with specialists, online banking, and staying connected to the community. We've seen how much reliable internet access matters to participants and their families.

Most SDA properties have access to the National Broadband Network (NBN). Check your property's NBN availability by entering the address on the NBN website before comparing plans. The type of NBN connection (Fibre to the Premises, Fibre to the Node, or Fixed Wireless) affects speeds and reliability, but most SDA properties built recently have good NBN infrastructure.

If NBN isn't available or suitable, mobile broadband is a solid alternative. Providers like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone offer home wireless broadband using mobile networks. This can be particularly useful as a backup option if your primary internet connection has issues.

Speed matters if you'll be making regular video calls. A standard NBN 50 plan (50 Mbps download speed) handles video calls, streaming, and general browsing comfortably for most households. If multiple housemates will be online simultaneously, consider NBN 100 for better performance.

Accessibility considerations are worth thinking about. If you or your family member uses voice-activated systems like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, you'll need reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout the property. Ask providers about mesh Wi-Fi systems or additional routers if the property is large.

Budget-wise, expect to pay $60-100 per month for a decent NBN plan with enough data for regular use. Many providers offer unlimited data plans at these price points, which removes the stress of monitoring usage.

If you have connection issues after moving in, your internet provider's technical support should be your first contact. For property-related issues (like faulty network cabling inside the property itself), contact your SDA housing provider to arrange repairs.

Using Centrepay for Automatic Rent and Utility Payments

Centrepay is one of those government services that genuinely helps. It's a free bill-paying service offered through Services Australia that automatically deducts approved expenses from your Centrelink payments before the money reaches your account.

How it helps: instead of receiving your full payment and manually paying rent and bills, Centrepay deducts these amounts first. You receive what's left. For many participants, this makes budgeting simpler and prevents the stress of falling behind on essential payments.

Setting up Centrepay for your SDA rent is straightforward and we recommend it. You can arrange this through your myGov account (linked to Centrelink) or by calling Services Australia on 136 240. You'll need your rental agreement and your housing provider's Centrepay details, which we provide when you sign your lease.

Centrepay can also be used for some utility providers, though not all retailers participate in the scheme. Major electricity and gas providers typically accept Centrepay, but you'll need to check with your specific provider. Internet and phone companies less commonly participate, though some do.

Recent changes to Centrepay introduced small transaction fees (around $0.50-$1.50 per deduction) for some payment types. However, rent and utility payments, considered essential services, have protections. The mandatory end dates for rent and utility deductions have been removed, meaning you don't need to re-authorise these payments every 12 months.

The system includes safeguards. If you need to cancel a Centrepay deduction, you can do so at any time through your myGov account or by contacting Services Australia. This flexibility means you're not locked into arrangements that aren't working.

One honest point: Centrepay reduces flexibility with your money. Once deductions are set, you can't access those funds for other purposes. For participants who manage their finances well, this is helpful discipline. For others who need more flexible access to funds, it can feel restrictive. Only you know which approach suits your situation better.

Budgeting for Utilities: What to Expect

We're going to give you real numbers because vague estimates aren't helpful when you're trying to budget.

In Melbourne, expect these monthly costs for a typical SDA property:

• Electricity: $80-150 (varies with usage, heating and cooling needs)
• Gas: $50-80 (if your property uses gas)
• Internet: $60-100 (for a decent NBN plan with unlimited data)
• Water: Variable (often included in rent, but if separate, $30-60)

If you're sharing with housemates, these costs are typically split equally. A two-person household might pay $50-80 each per month for utilities. A three-person household drops this to $40-60 each. Splitting costs fairly requires clear communication upfront about usage expectations and payment responsibilities.

Several factors affect your actual costs. If you or your housemates use power wheelchairs, assistive technology, or medical equipment that runs continuously, electricity usage will be higher. Properties with electric heating and cooling in Melbourne's climate use more power in summer and winter. The number of people living in the property and their individual usage patterns also matter.

Concessions can reduce these costs significantly. If you receive Centrelink payments, you're likely eligible for electricity and gas concessions through the Victorian Government. The Annual Electricity Concession provides $377.60 off your electricity bill each year. The Annual Gas Concession provides $212.90 off your gas bill. These concessions apply automatically if you're eligible, but confirm with your retailer that they're being applied.

Managing costs doesn't require obsessive monitoring, but some simple practices help. Turning off appliances at the wall when not in use, using energy-efficient LED bulbs (most SDA properties come with these already), and setting heating and cooling to reasonable temperatures (19-20°C in winter, 24-25°C in summer) can reduce bills without affecting comfort.

If utility bills become unmanageable, don't ignore them. Most electricity and gas companies offer hardship programs with payment plans, fee waivers, and sometimes bill reductions for customers facing genuine financial difficulty. Contact your provider's hardship team early if you're struggling. It's easier to arrange support before bills become overwhelming.

What to Do When Things Go Wrong

The question isn't if something will go wrong with utilities or internet. It's when. Here's who you contact for different issues.

For service outages or connection failures, contact your utility provider directly. They're responsible for supply issues, billing problems, and service quality. Keep your account number and property address handy when calling. For electricity and gas, providers must attend to supply faults within specific timeframes under Victorian regulations.

For property-related issues affecting utilities, contact your SDA housing provider. This includes problems like faulty power points, damaged plumbing, broken hot water systems, or network cabling issues within the property. We're responsible for maintaining the property infrastructure. You're responsible for managing the relationship with your utility providers.

Understanding this distinction saves frustration. If your power goes out and it's a network issue affecting the street, that's your electricity provider's problem. If your power goes out because a circuit breaker in the property has failed, that's a maintenance issue for your housing provider.

Victorian tenancy law requires landlords (including SDA providers) to ensure essential services function properly. If something breaks that affects essential services like water, electricity, or heating, providers must respond within 24 hours for urgent repairs. SDA maintenance responsibilities are clearly defined, and you have rights if repairs aren't completed within reasonable timeframes.

If providers (either utility companies or housing providers) don't respond or resolve issues, escalation options exist. For utility providers, the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) handles complaints about electricity, gas, and water services. For housing providers, Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) handle tenancy disputes and maintenance issues.

We respond to maintenance requests during business hours, with emergency response for urgent issues affecting safety or essential services. Our contact details are in your rental agreement, and we encourage you to report problems promptly rather than waiting.

Conclusion

Setting up SDA utilities isn't complex, but it does require planning. Start the process 2-3 weeks before moving in. Arrange electricity first, then gas (if needed), internet, and water services. Consider using Centrepay for automatic rent and utility payments if it suits your budgeting style.

The practical side of moving into Specialist Disability Accommodation involves more than just the transition steps themselves. It's about understanding what's included, what you arrange yourself, and how to manage ongoing costs. We know this can feel like one more thing to manage when you're already dealing with a significant transition.

Once utilities are sorted, they run in the background. You'll set up direct debits or Centrepay deductions, and the services will just work. The setup phase takes effort, but the ongoing management is straightforward.

This is part of our family-first approach. We help families understand the whole picture, not just the application process. If you're preparing to move into SDA housing and have questions about what's included in your property or how the setup process works, we're here to help. Once you've got utilities organised, you can focus on personalising your SDA home and settling in properly.

Got questions about utilities setup or your move-in timeline? Call us on (03) 9999 7418 or email admin@paramounthomes.com.au. We're happy to talk through your situation.