SDA Categories

The Livable Housing Design (LHD) Guidelines assist the residential building, property industry and governments better understand how to incorporate easy living features into new housing design and construction. The Guidelines can be categorised as below:

Improved Liveability

Housing that has been designed to improve 'liveability' by incorporating a reasonable level of physical access and enhanced provision for people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.

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Improved Liveability Housing Features

  • Livable Housing Australia 'Silver' level
  • The designed environment responds to the needs of participants through improved physical access and enhanced provision for participants with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment. For example Improved Liveability dwellings should include one or more additional design features such as luminance contrasts, improved wayfinding and/or lines of sight depending on the needs of the participants

Fully Accessible

Housing that has been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment.

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Fully Accessible Housing Features

  • Livable Housing Australia 'Platinum' level
  • External doors and external outdoor private areas to be accessible by wheelchair
  • Bathroom vanity/hand basin to be accessible in seated or standing position
  • Power supply to doors and windows for retrofit of automation as necessary
  • Consideration is given to whether it is appropriate for the kitchen sink, cooktop, meal preparation bench area and key appliances (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, laundry appliances) to be accessible in seated or standing position

Robust

Housing that has been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision and be very resilient, reducing the likelihood of reactive maintenance and reducing the risk to the participant and the community.

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Robust Housing Features

  • Livable Housing Australia 'Silver' level
  • Resilient but inconspicuous materials that can withstand heavy use and minimises the risk of injury and neighbourhood disturbance including: high impact wall lining, fittings and fixtures (e.g. blinds, door handles)
  • Secure windows, doors and external areas
  • Appropriate sound proofing if residents are likely to cause significant noise disturbances (if required must retrofit in new builds if not previously installed at building stage)
  • Laminated glass
  • Layout with areas of egress and retreat for staff and other residents to avoid harm if required
  • Consideration must be given to providing adequate space and safeguards throughout the property to accommodate the needs of residents with complex behaviours

High Physical Support

Housing that as been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment and requiring very high levels of support.

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High Physical Support Housing Features

  • Livable Housing Australia 'Platinum' level
  • External doors and external outdoor private areas to be accessible by wheelchair
  • Bathroom vanity/hand basin to be accessible in seated or standing position
  • Power supply to doors and windows for retrofit of automation as necessary
  • Consideration must be given to whether it is appropriate for the kitchen sink, cooktop, meal preparation bench area and key appliances (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, laundry appliances) to be accessible in seated or standing position
  • Structural provision for ceiling hoists
  • Assistive technology ready
  • Heating/cooling and household communication technology (e.g video or intercom systems) appropriate for the needs of residents
  • Emergency power solutions to cater for a minimum two hour outage where the welfare of participants is at risk
  • 950mm minimum clear opening width doors to all habitable rooms

Download the Livable Housing Design Guidelines here

The Livable Housing Design Guidelines were created to provide a nationally consistent, inexpensive and practical set of guidelines to make homes safer, more comfortable and easier to access for people of all ages and abilities.