Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is becoming increasingly competitive. With vacancy rates hovering around 40% in some areas, participants now have a wide range of homes to choose from. The question is: what makes a home stand out?
One of the strongest differentiators is smart technology. Done well, it improves independence, reduces provider costs, and makes homes more attractive to long-term tenants. Done poorly (or not at all), it risks leaving homes overlooked in a crowded market.
The Pitfalls Builders Often Face
Many developers either:
- Over-engineer with expensive, high-maintenance systems.
- Cut corners with low-quality, mismatched IoT devices.
- Or worse, do nothing, hoping technology can be added later.
Each of these approaches creates more problems than it solves. Residents lose confidence, providers face more callouts, and homes become harder to fill.
The Smarter Middle Path
The Ultimate SDA Home Technology Guide proposes a baseline technology package that delivers genuine daily independence while staying affordable. For around $15,000, builders can create homes that are:
- Functional from day one.
- Attractive to tenants in a competitive market.
- Future-ready, with clear upgrade paths built into the design.
This includes essentials like:
- Smart lighting and motorised blinds.
- Secure front and garage door control.
- Outdoor-only cameras for privacy and safety.
- Nurse call/intercom systems in shared settings.
- Optional voice assistants as an add-on, not the main hub.
Why Provisioning Matters
A key principle is to provision early. By running cabling and power during construction, upgrades like automated doors, lifting kitchen benches, or advanced sensors can be added later at a fraction of the cost. Build once, and future-proof your investment.
Keep People at the Centre
The goal isn’t “tech for tech’s sake.” It’s about independence, dignity, and safety. That means:
- Simple controls via apps and wall switches.
- Voice activation only as an optional layer.
- Clear privacy safeguards and role-based access.
The Takeaway for Builders
Smart technology is no longer a luxury in SDA — it’s an expectation. By setting a clear, affordable baseline, you’ll reduce vacancy risk, cut long-term provider costs, and deliver homes that genuinely improve quality of life for residents.
👉 Download the full guide here: [The Ultimate SDA Home Technology Guide]
Colin Peterson is the CEO of Infinite Automation, a Melbourne-based company that designs and builds simple, reliable, and affordable automation systems for homes, commercial sites, and SDA developments across Australia. Get in Touch