NCC, NDIS and THE SDA

By Kylie Monks, Assistant Building Surveyor

The minimum construction requirements in Australia are predetermined by the National Construction Code for all new building projects and redevelopments. As of July 1st, 2021, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will require all new builds being constructed for enrolment into the SDA (Specialised Disability Accommodation) to be certified by an Accredited SDA Assessor and comply with the SDA Design Standard.

The purpose of the SDA Design Standard is to ensure that communities and stakeholders understand the importance of correct housing for people with disability. Furthermore, the SDA will allow NDIS participants have a choice and greater flexibility for housing needs. The SDA Design Standard is comprised of four categories:

• Improved Liveability
• Robust
• Fully Accessible
• High Physical Support

What happens when there is a difference between the NCC requirements and the SDA Design Standard?

In every case, the NCC must take precedence over the SDA Design Standard. An important aspect to bear in mind is that people that will be residing in SDA’s will quite often be reliant on receiving high support care for various functional impairments, which means self-evacuation for these residents is impossible. In this instance it is vital the correct Building Classification is established.

For example, if we look at item 2 in Schedule 1 (Villa, Duplex, and townhouse) of the NDIS SDA Rules 2020, BCA building classification 1a is listed as an approved dwelling. According to the BCA, Class 1a does not require a sprinkler system to be installed. This has the potential to be problematic for participants and SDA providers.

As outlined by the NDIS, participants in the SDA are “those with extreme functional impairment or those that have a high support need’. Self-evacuation may be impossible for some participants, especially those with impaired hearing meaning they may not hear a smoke or fire alarm, and those that have impaired mobility. In this instance, Class 3 of the BCA Building classification would ensure residents are safeguarded from fire hazard and the correct Performance Standards are met.

For any persons wishing to develop and design an SDA dwelling to assist NDIS participants achieve the greatest level of independence, it is vital to be in contact with a Building Certifier at the very beginning of the planning stage to avoid any delays in construction or non-compliance issues.

Credwell can assist in verifying the proper Building Classification to ensure design features and fire safety performance requirements are met. Credwell is committed to and fully endorses the Accessibility goals and objectives of the Building Code of Australia (BCA), the NCC and the SDA. These goals and objectives ensure people have access to safe, dignified, and equitable accessibility to suitable housing and within their home environment.