Key points
- If someone can't go back to their old home after hospital, supported accommodation such as SIL or SDA may be an option.
- Tell the hospital the person is an NDIS participant early. The NDIA's hospital team can then help with plan changes and home and living supports.
- The NDIA needs recent evidence, usually from an occupational therapist, about daily support and housing needs.
- Medium-term accommodation can pay for somewhere to live for up to 90 days while the long-term home is arranged.
- A good transition includes meeting the team, sharing a clinical handover and training workers before move-in day.
When going home isn't an option
After a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury or a long illness, some people can't go back to the home they lived in before. Their old home may not be accessible, family may not be able to provide the level of support needed, or the person may need help around the clock. Moving from hospital to supported accommodation can give them a safe place to live with the right support.
This guide is for NDIS participants, families and hospital teams. If the person is going back to their own home with supports, our leaving hospital checklist for families is a better place to start.
- Leaving hospital: a checklist for familiesFor people going home with supports
Supported accommodation options after hospital
Several NDIS home and living supports can help someone leave hospital. They're often used together.
Infographic
Home and living options after hospital
SupportSupported independent living (SIL)
Funds support workers to help or supervise the person at home, 24/7. Often in a shared home with 2 or 3 housemates.
HousingSpecialist disability accommodation (SDA)
Purpose-built housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Support is funded separately.
Temporary housingMedium-term accommodation (MTA)
Pays for somewhere to live for up to 90 days while the long-term home is arranged. Covers accommodation only.
SupportIndividualised living options (ILO)
A flexible support package for living with a host, housemate or family, built around the person.
Provider arrangedShort notice placements
Some providers can offer a room and support in a supported home at short notice, while longer-term plans are made.
How the move works, step by step
Every discharge is different, but moving into supported accommodation usually follows these steps.
Infographic
From hospital to supported accommodation
- 1
Tell the NDIA earlyfirst days
Let ward staff know the person is an NDIS participant and consent to the hospital contacting the NDIA. The NDIA aims to make contact within 4 days.
- 2
Explore home and living options
The NDIA hospital liaison officer, the person, family and the hospital team talk about where the person could live.
- 3
Gather evidence
An occupational therapist reports on daily support and housing needs, and why other options won't work.
- 4
NDIA decision
The NDIA decides which home and living supports to fund, and changes the plan if needed.
- 5
Find a home and provider
Search SIL and SDA vacancies, meet housemates and choose a registered SIL provider.
- 6
Bridge the gap
If the long-term home isn't ready, medium-term accommodation can be used for up to 90 days.
- 7
Move in
Workers are trained, equipment is in place and support starts on day one.
The evidence the NDIA needs
The NDIA needs recent evidence from a treating health professional, such as an occupational therapist. Hospital therapists can often provide this before discharge. The report should explain:
- The person's daily support and housing needs, including how often and when they need support each day and night
- What they can and can't do because of their disability
- What other home and living options have been explored, and why they don't meet the person's disability-related needs
- Any behaviour support, mealtime, manual handling or other plans the support team will need
Evidence can be given to the NDIA through the service hub, by post, or in person to the person's my NDIS contact. The NDIA will say if it needs more information.
If the long-term home isn't ready
Waiting for an SDA vacancy or home modifications is one of the most common reasons people stay in hospital longer than they need to. Medium-term accommodation (MTA) can help. It can fund somewhere to live for up to 90 days for people leaving hospital who are eligible for SDA, SIL, ILO or home modifications.
MTA only covers the cost of the accommodation, so support is funded separately, often through SIL or other Core supports. It's a one-off support and isn't emergency housing, so raise it with the NDIA hospital team as soon as it looks like the long-term home won't be ready in time.
Making the transition safe
A good supported accommodation provider will plan the move with the hospital, not just accept a referral. Before the person moves in, check that:
Infographic
Before move-in day
People
- The person and family have met the house team
- Housemates have been introduced and are a good fit
- There's a named contact at the provider
Health handover
- A written clinical handover and discharge summary are shared
- The medication plan and chart are ready
- Follow-up appointments are booked
Skills and equipment
- Workers are trained in the person's needs, such as PEG feeding or hoist transfers
- Equipment is delivered and set up
- Any behaviour support plan is in place
Agreements
- A service agreement for support
- A tenancy or occupancy agreement for the home
- A clear plan for the first two weeks
If the person isn't on the NDIS
People under 65 with a permanent and significant disability can apply to the NDIS from hospital. Hospital staff can help with the access request, and the NDIA assesses requests from people in hospital as a priority, usually within 7 to 10 days. People 65 and over can't join the NDIS, so the hospital will talk to them about aged care options instead.
Hospital discharge in Melbourne's west
We support people moving out of hospitals across Australia, including Werribee Mercy, Sunshine, Footscray and Williamstown hospitals near our Point Cook office. We can often arrange short notice placements in supported homes, and we work alongside social workers and the NDIA's hospital liaison officers. We aim to contact referrers within 24 hours.
- Hospital discharge supportHow we help people leave hospital
- For hospital discharge teamsReferrals from social workers
- Short notice placementsA room and support, sooner
- NDIS support in WyndhamOur local area
Common questions
Can someone move straight from hospital into SIL?
Yes, if SIL is funded in their plan and a suitable home is available. The NDIA can change a plan quickly for people in hospital when it has the evidence it needs.
How long can medium-term accommodation be used?
Up to 90 days. It covers accommodation only, so support is funded separately.
Who arranges supported accommodation after hospital?
Usually the hospital team, the NDIA hospital liaison officer, a support coordinator if funded, and the chosen provider work together with the person and family.
Can family visit a home before the move?
Yes. A good provider will encourage visits, introductions to housemates and, where possible, a trial before the person moves in.
Sources
We checked this article against these official sources. Dates show when each page was last updated. Links open in a new tab.
- Hospital discharge · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 25 May 2023
- What is a hospital liaison officer (HLO) · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 9 September 2026
- What is medium-term accommodation (MTA) · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 1 July 2026
- How to ask for home and living supports · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 3 May 2026
- What is supported independent living (SIL) · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 17 August 2026
- What is specialist disability accommodation (SDA) · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 1 July 2026
- NDIS participants being discharged from hospital faster than ever · NDIS (ndis.gov.au) · 27 December 2024
This is general information, not advice about your situation. NDIS rules are changing in stages until 2028, so check ndis.gov.au or talk to our team before making decisions.