When moving into disability housing, one of the first questions is: “What will I actually have to pay?” Whether the home is provided through Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL), participants are usually responsible for certain boarding and lodging costs. These are the everyday expenses of living in a home. This blog explains the main components of a typical boarding and lodging invoice, what each term means, and what you can expect to pay.

The main components of your Board and Lodging for NDIS Participants includes:

1. Reasonable Rent Contribution:

Everyone living in disability housing contributes to rent. But it isn’t based on market rent. Instead, the NDIS sets rules to make sure it is fair and affordable. The formula is:

  • 25% of your Disability Support Pension (DSP)
  • 100% of your Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA)

Together, these make up your reasonable rent contribution.

What is the criteria for DSP and CRA
  • Disability Support Pension (DSP): A fortnightly payment from the government to help people with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition who cannot work full-time. To get DSP, you need to get both medical rules and non-medical rules. To get medical rules, your condition must be likely to affect you for more than 2 years, stop you from working for more than 15 hours a week, be diagnosed by a qualified health professional and be reasonably treated and stabilised. Read more about medical rules on Services Australia website. Non medical rules include meeting the age of at least 15 years and 9 months and under the Age Pension Age. You are also required to meet the residency rules and the income and assets tests.
  • Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA): An extra payment for people who pay rent, designed to make housing more affordable.

So your rent is capped. For example, if your DSP is $1,100 a fortnight, your rent contribution would be about $275 + any CRA you receive.

2. Board (Meals & Household Items)
Board is your contribution towards food and shared household items. It may cover:
  • Groceries for daily meals
  • Cleaning supplies and toiletries
  • Shared kitchen and household basics

Many providers set this as a daily rate (for example, $22/day). This helps keep costs predictable. It is important to check with your provider whether board covers all meals (prepared by staff) or just groceries that you and housemates cook together.

3. Utilities

Just like in any home, there are utility bills. In disability housing these are usually shared fairly between residents.

Utilities typically include:

  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Internet

Some providers charge a flat fee each fortnight; others calculate costs based on actual bills. At Interchange WA, we provide the flexibility to the people we support to choose a system that suits them. We can negotiate on who pays the utility bills.

4. Personal Expenses

These don’t usually appear on your boarding and lodging invoice but are important to budget for. They include:

  • Transport (taxis, fuel, bus fares)
  • Clothing
  • Outings and social activities
  • Personal items and subscriptions

An example of NDIS Participant’s Board and Lodging Bill

Here’s an example of how a participant’s boarding and lodging costs might be billed each fortnight:

Item How It’s Calculated Example Amount
Rent Contribution 25% of DSP + 100% CRA $310
Board (Meals & Household) $22/day $308
Utilities Shared contribution $80
Total Payable Rent + Board + Utilities $698

Note: Staff Direct support worker hours (SIL hours) are paid directly by from your NDIS plan, and are not part of Board and Lodging paid not by you. Hence, they won’t show up on this invoice.

Board & Lodging Costs in SDA

When a person is eligible for SDA:

  1. NDIS pays the provider for the cost of building and maintaining the property.
  2. Participants still pay:
  • A reasonable rent contribution (usually capped at 25% of the Disability Support Pension, plus a portion of Commonwealth Rent Assistance).
  • Day-to-day living costs such as electricity, water, food, internet, and personal expenses.

3. Costs vary depending on the SDA design category:

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

Example: A person in a High Physical Support SDA home may pay the same capped rent contribution, but the NDIS pays the provider a much higher amount behind the scenes because of the cost of construction and specialised modifications.

Most of the reliable SDA providers design SDA homes in Western Australia that range from shared group homes to individual apartments, all tailored to participant needs.

Board & Lodging Costs in SIL

For SIL, the focus is on support rather than the home itself:

  • NDIS funds the cost of support workers, daily living assistance, and 24/7 care if needed.
  • Participants pay for their housing and living expenses (rent, utilities, groceries). SIL funding does not cover rent or boarding costs.

The cost depends on:

  • How many hours of support are required (day, overnight, or 24/7).
  • Whether the participant lives in a shared home (costs are often shared among housemates) or an individual home.
What to Expect
  • Rent is capped and linked to your pension, not market prices.
  • Board charges vary by provider, so always ask what’s included.
  • Utilities are shared fairly and usually predictable.
  • You’ll still need to budget for personal expenses outside the invoice.
  • Boarding & Lodging Cost Contributions (Examples)
Accommodation Type Rent Contribution Rental Assistance Pension Support Board / Living Expenses Utilities & Energy Notes
SDA (Housing Only) 25% of DSP 100% 25% Negotiable – depends on provider Negotiable – depends on who pays SDA funding covers the property; participant contributes capped rent + agreed living/energy costs
SIL (Boarding Only) – – – 50% of DSP Negotiable – depends on who pays SIL funding covers supports; participant contributes to board and possibly utilities
SIL + Housing Combined 75% of DSP 100% 25% Included in board 100% of utility
Conclusion

Board and lodging costs in disability housing are designed to be affordable and transparent. Every participant can expect to pay:

  1. Rent contribution (from DSP + CRA)
  2. Board (daily meals and household items)
  3. Utilities (shared living costs)

By understanding each item, you can plan your budget confidently and avoid surprises.

How You’ll Be Billed

  • Fortnightly invoices are common, aligned with pension payments.
  • Each invoice clearly separates Rent, Board, and Utilities so participants can see where their money is going.
  • SIL supports (staffing, personal care, assistance) are billed directly to the NDIS and don’t appear in your rent/board invoice.

Tips for Participants and Families

  • Always ask your provider for a written cost breakdown before moving in.
  • Check if board charges cover all meals or just shared groceries.
  • Budget separately for personal expenses (transport, entertainment).
  • Remember: your reasonable rent contribution is capped – providers cannot charge above this.

Need Help?

  • Visit NDIS.gov.au
  • Talk to our Engagement Lead to see your eligibility
  • Explore our SIL options

Board and lodging in disability accommodation usually includes rent contributions, board, and utilities, while the NDIS covers the cost of SDA housing and SIL supports. By asking providers for a clear cost breakdown, you can plan ahead and avoid surprises.