Australian Unity established the Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund in April 2020. The Fund invests in accessible residential property that has been purpose built for people living with disabilities (Participants). The Fund operates as a landlord only, with rent paid by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on behalf of Participants. The SDA program is a key pillar of the NDIS, designed to provide Participant's choice and control over where, how and with whom they live.
Across Australia there is strong demand for quality SDA with efficient and Participant led operating models. We work with a wide field of stakeholders within the housing, disability, and social sectors to provide suitable and contemporary housing for people with a range of abilities.
We invest in social infrastructure and sustainable communities to support the wellbeing of all Australians. This encompasses a wide range of physical assets to support social services and improve quality of life. It includes retirement living and aged care facilities, student accommodation, healthcare, social and affordable housing, childcare and disability housing.
The Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund (the Fund) is a wholesale fund that focuses on investing in high-quality Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in attractive locations to support Australians living with a disability. The Fund acquires and develops market leading SDA properties for occupation by National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Participants.
Fund Manager | Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund
View profileJacob joined Australian Unity in 2021 as the Fund Manager for the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Fund. Jacob is responsible for the execution of equity and debt funding strategies, fund performance, managing risk, new acquisition and development opportunities. Before joining Australian Unity, Jacob managed Bank Australia’s Impact Finance business. In this role, he was responsible for establishing debt funding for a range of social infrastructure assets, and was most notably involved with a majority of all SDA debt transactions in the country to date. Jacob is a founding Director and Treasurer of the Specialist Disability Accommodation Alliance, a not-for-profit entity established to provide a unified voice to better support development of a diverse and sustainable SDA market. Jacob is also a member of the Australian Property Institute (API) Working Group to establish a valuation standard for SDA.
Portfolio Analyst | Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund
View profileAston joined Australian Unity in 2024 as a Portfolio Analyst in the Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund. Previously, Aston was a Consultant in EY’s Supply Chain & Operations business unit. Aston has a background in data modelling, performance improvement, operational cost reduction programs and procurement support. Aston has a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Finance) from Monash University and Bachelor of Communication Design from RMIT.
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26 September 2023
Australian Unity partnered with Social Ventures Australia (SVA) Consulting to achieve greater social impact, to develop metrics that demonstrate Australian Unity’s contribution and commitment to enabling Real Wellbeing
1 September 2023
Explore the transformative journey of Mark Miljons-Rostoks and the profound impact that the Specialist Disability Accommodation Fund had on his life.
4 November 2022
A discussion with three SDA providers on the characteristics that support participant wellbeing and drive long-term returns for investors.
25 October 2022
Australian Unity’s SDA Fund has acquired 11 apartments in the new Parc development, in Macquarie, Canberra
20 July 2022
Australian Unity’s SDA Fund has settled ten occupied/leased apartments in Chermside, 10km north of Brisbane.
9 June 2022
Australian Unity partners with Liveable Homes Australia to bring more Specialist Disability Accommodation to market.
16 November 2021
A discussion with an SDA provider on the characteristics that support participant wellbeing and drive long-term returns for investors.
20 September 2021
Australian Unity has closed a $30.5 million equity raise to expand its Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Fund portfolio.
20 August 2021
Minister Linda Reynolds and NDIA representatives held a recent SDA Roundtable discussing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
