High Physical Support SDA: what the design category requires for new builds in NSW
High Physical Support is housing designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment and requiring very high levels of support. That is the NDIA wording in the SDA Design Standard (Edition 1.1, October 2019). High Physical Support builds on Fully Accessible design with additional provisions for ceiling hoists, emergency power and related supports. If you are building new, the Design Standard is the test, not a blog checklist of door widths or clearances.
High Physical Support in one paragraph
High Physical Support is one of four NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation design categories, alongside Improved Liveability, Robust and Fully Accessible. It is intended for participants who need a high level of physical support. New Build and New Build (refurbished) dwellings enrolled from 1 July 2021 must be certified by an accredited SDA assessor against the SDA Design Standard at design stage and again as built. Category definitions and the wider comparison with livable and adaptable housing sit on SDA vs livable vs adaptable.
Two rule sets, and which one applies to your dwelling
Most short guides list informal features such as wider doors or hoist readiness. Those descriptions can go stale. For a new build enrolling today the Design Standard sets the minimum.
New Build and New Build (refurbished) enrolled from 1 July 2021
The SDA Design Standard (October 2019, Edition 1.1) is the minimum design requirement. An accredited SDA assessor certifies the nominated category at provisional design stage, when the design is lodged for approval, and again at final as-built stage. Final as-built certification is mandatory for enrolment. Certification is not enrolment. The registered SDA provider enrols the built dwelling. The process is set out on SDA design and as-built certification.
Existing and Legacy Stock, and new builds first enrolled before 1 July 2021
The NDIS Pricing Arrangements for SDA apply category descriptions to this older stock. High Physical Support in that regime describes housing with a high level of physical access for people with significant physical impairment who require very high levels of support. New SDA enrolment uses the Design Standard.
| Dwelling | Minimum design test |
|---|---|
| New Build, or New Build (refurbished), enrolled from 1 July 2021 | SDA Design Standard, Edition 1.1 (October 2019), certified by an accredited SDA assessor at design and as-built stages |
| Existing or Legacy Stock, and new builds first enrolled before 1 July 2021 | Pricing Arrangements category description for High Physical Support |
What Fully Accessible plus means for High Physical Support
High Physical Support inherits the physical-access requirements of Fully Accessible and adds provisions that support very high physical support needs. Exact clause applicability is shown by the icons in the Design Standard PDF. Designers should not rely on informal lists.
Fully Accessible baseline (short)
Fully Accessible sets high physical access: participant bedroom on the entry or lift-served level, larger door and corridor clearances, AS 1428.1 sanitary layout options, and related circulation. High Physical Support uses those same physical-access clauses plus the additional items below. Do not treat High Physical Support as a simple upgrade of door widths.
Ceiling hoists (clauses 20.1 and 20.2)
Clause 20 applies to High Physical Support only. Bedrooms shall have provision for power and inbuilt structure capable of installation of a constant charge ceiling hoist. The hoist shall be capable of going across the bed and down the bed. Minimum load capacity of the hoist shall be 250 kg. The hoist is to be capable of being either ceiling mounted or wall mounted. At design stage, notation of the requirements on the assessed drawings or specifications is adequate. At final as-built stage, the structure shall be inspected and certified by a qualified structural engineer as being suitable for ceiling hoists with minimum load capacity of 250 kg.
Emergency power solutions (clause 22.1)
Clause 22.1 applies to High Physical Support only. Emergency power solutions shall be provided to cater for a minimum 2-hour outage in no less than 2 double GPOs in participant bedrooms and any provided automated doors that are used for entry or egress. The rationale is backup for life support systems if needed by participants. The Standard does not prescribe the technology (UPS, generator or other); it sets the performance requirement.
Assistive technology and related provisions
Clause 23.2, High Physical Support, requires a video, intercom or other communication system to enable communication between the participant and their supports when not within line of sight. Heating and cooling under clause 21 (reverse-cycle air-conditioning to living areas and bedrooms, with zoning where ducted) applies to Fully Accessible and High Physical Support. Sanitary facilities may use a peninsular type WC pan for High Physical Support needs, with circulation spaces based on the NCC Accessible Adult Change Facility dimensions (clause 7.1.5).
| Clause | What High Physical Support requires (beyond Fully Accessible) |
|---|---|
| 20.1 and 20.2 | Power and structural provision for a constant-charge ceiling hoist in bedrooms, capable of tracking across and down the bed, minimum 250 kg load capacity. Structural engineer certification at as-built. |
| 22.1 | Emergency power for a minimum 2-hour outage covering no less than 2 double GPOs in participant bedrooms and any automated entry or egress doors. |
| 23.2 | Video, intercom or other communication system for contact with supports outside line of sight. |
| 7.1.5 (option) | Peninsular WC pan option with 900 mm clear both sides for 2300 mm from the back wall, based on NCC Accessible Adult Change Facility circulation. |
High Physical Support vs Fully Accessible vs Improved Liveability vs Robust
| Category | Who it is for | Physical access level | Headline design driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improved Liveability | Sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment; wheelchair use not assumed | Reasonable. Bedroom may be on a stepped level. | Contrast, wayfinding and a usable entry-level living core. |
| Robust | Residents and community who need a very resilient dwelling | Reasonable, with impact-resistant materials and fittings. | Resilience and reduced reactive maintenance. Breakout room if provided. |
| Fully Accessible | Significant physical impairment | High. Participant bedroom on entry or lift level. Larger doors and corridors. | Wheelchair circulation and transfer. |
| High Physical Support | Significant physical impairment requiring very high levels of support | High (Fully Accessible baseline) plus hoist and emergency-power provisions. | Ceiling hoist readiness, emergency power for life-support equipment, and related supports. |
Robust versus High Physical Support is an early category choice. This page does not cover Robust design. See Improved Liveability SDA for that category deep-dive and SDA vs livable vs adaptable for the wider housing comparison.
How High Physical Support certification works (design stage to as-built)
The Design Standard allows certification at two stages. Provisional design certification is when the design has been submitted for building approval. Final as-built certification is when the dwelling is built, and it is mandatory for enrolment. An accredited SDA assessor certifies compliance with every clause that applies to the nominated category. The assessor must be independent of the provider, developer and owner.
Sydney Access Consultants can advise the design, or be the independent certifying assessor, on a given development. Not both on the same project. Design documentation, when the practice is not the certifying assessor, sits on SDA architectural documentation. The certification path sits on SDA certification. Who needs an assessor is covered in who needs an SDA assessor.
A single dwelling may be certified under more than one design category. The Design Standard states that all shared areas must comply with the minimum requirements of all enrolled design categories.
Designing High Physical Support in Sydney and NSW: practical notes
NCC still applies. Where the NCC and the Design Standard conflict, the NCC takes precedence (spatial requirements of the Design Standard excepted), per the Design Standard relationship note. NSW assesses building work against NCC 2022 Amendment 2 until NCC 2025 adoption on 1 May 2027. See NCC 2025 NSW access.
SDA is not Livable Housing. NSW G7/H8 is blank so Livable Housing Design Standard is not mandatory Deemed-to-Satisfy for Class 1a or Class 2 sole-occupancy units. SDA Design Standard enrolment is a separate regime. Sydney Access Consultants does not hold Livable Housing assessor registration. See Livable Housing carefully.
For Class 2 apartment High Physical Support, common-area access under NCC Part D4 is separate from the dwelling High Physical Support features. See SDA apartment compliance example.
GJ Finn & DW Wong trading as Sydney Access Consultants work from Hurstville for metropolitan Sydney, with concentration on Cronulla, Sutherland Shire and Georges River. On the Mid North Coast, Sandy Grey works from Black Beach. Accredited assessors listed by state on the NDIS register are not restricted to that region. In Perth and Western Australia the same national Design Standard applies. See locations.
Is High Physical Support changing? (Design Standard review)
The NDIS SDA Design Standard Review 2025-26 is underway. Consultation ran October to December 2025. The Technical Working Group includes Farah Madon (ACA President), Joe Manton (Access Institute), Jeramy Hope (SDA Alliance), Ben Nurmi, Max Rafferty, Mark Whybro, Julie Yule and Phil Finnimore (ABCB), with KPMG shaping the next edition. The review is examining life safety, fire and emergency power for High Physical Support. Do not predict outcomes. See SDA Design Standard review.
Frequently asked questions
What is High Physical Support SDA?
High Physical Support is one of four NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation design categories. It is intended for participants who need a high level of physical support and is built on Fully Accessible design with additional provisions for life-support equipment, ceiling hoists and emergency power. For New Build and New Build (refurbished) dwellings enrolled from 1 July 2021, an accredited SDA assessor certifies the dwelling against the SDA Design Standard (October 2019) at design stage and again as built.
Is High Physical Support just extra accessible Fully Accessible?
No. Fully Accessible sets the physical-access baseline. High Physical Support adds the life-support, hoist and emergency-power suite required by the Design Standard for that category. Exact clause applicability is shown by the icons in the Design Standard PDF. Designers should not rely on informal dimension lists.
How is High Physical Support certified in NSW?
Certification is a two-stage process: provisional design certification when the design is lodged for approval, then final as-built certification before enrolment. The assessor must be independent of the provider, developer and owner. Sydney Access Consultants can advise on design documentation or act as the independent certifying assessor (SDA00039), but not both on the same development. NSW building work remains assessed under NCC 2022 Amendment 2 until NCC 2025 adoption on 1 May 2027.
Can one dwelling be multi-category?
Yes. A single dwelling may be certified under more than one design category if shared areas meet the minimum requirements of every enrolled category.
Talk to an accredited SDA assessor
Gary Finn of Sydney Access Consultants is listed on the NDIS find-an-assessor register as SDA00039, and is an Accredited Member of the Access Consultants Association, member 435. Ask about a design-stage review or independent certification on (02) 9586 3111. The practice can advise the design or certify it. Not both on the same development.