New Preston NDIS long-term accommodation option secured

Landmark Lease Transforms Former Aged Care Home into NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation

A significant lease agreement has seen a former aged care facility in Preston, Victoria, begin a new chapter as specialist disability accommodation. This move marks one of the first times a dedicated disability support operator has taken over a senior living asset in metropolitan Victoria.

Premier Supported Living Group (PSLG), a disability accommodation provider, secured a long-term lease for the extensively renovated property. This transaction highlights a growing trend of repurposing existing infrastructure to meet the critical demand for accessible housing under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) refers to housing designed for NDIS participants who have very high support needs, requiring a specialist dwelling solution. This can include features like accessible bathrooms, wider doorways, and assistive technology to help residents live more independently and receive necessary support.

Finding suitable SDA is a major challenge for many NDIS participants. The conversion of properties like this former aged care home offers a vital pathway to increase the availability of appropriate housing options.

Bell Street’s New Purpose: A Home Transformed

The property at 547 Bell Street, Preston, has a long history, previously serving the community as an aged care home operated by Baptcare. After its sale in 2022, the building underwent extensive renovations to meet the stringent standards required for specialist disability accommodation.

These transformations included combining single rooms into larger, deluxe suites finished to a high residential standard. The facility now boasts multiple modern kitchens, dining areas, and communal spaces, designed to foster community and independent living.

Crucially, the 35-room property has achieved full NDIS certification at the High Physical Support category. This means it is equipped to accommodate individuals with significant physical support needs, offering features like structural provisions for ceiling hoists and robust assistive technology.

Industry experts note that this comprehensive fit-out makes the Preston facility one of the most thoroughly configured disability accommodation options of its kind in metropolitan Melbourne.

Meeting a Critical Need for NDIS Participants

Premier Supported Living Group will operate the property as supported disability accommodation, specifically targeting residents who require high physical support. The long-term lease, secured at $530,000 per annum with annual CPI (Consumer Price Index) rent reviews, commenced in early October.

This lease structure provides stability for both the service provider and, by extension, the NDIS participants who will call this facility home. CPI rent reviews mean that rent adjustments will be tied to general inflation, a common practice in long-term commercial agreements.

Market Insights: A Growing Trend

According to industry reports, former seniors living assets are increasingly drawing attention from disability accommodation operators. This is largely due to ongoing constraints in the supply of purpose-built NDIS accommodation.

One industry expert noted that the Preston property offered a rare combination of scale, appropriate certification, and layout that operators urgently need. The strong competition for this lease suggests a growing recognition of the value in converting existing facilities.

Another market analyst added that the calibre of interest in this campaign reflects how few properties of this type come to market already fully configured for disability accommodation. NDIS operators and investors are actively looking at former aged care assets, and as the supply pipeline tightens, competition for well-certified facilities will likely intensify.

The property’s landlord indicated that while their initial strategy was different, they were pleased to lease the building to a long-term tenant, highlighting the attractiveness of the NDIS accommodation sector.

What This Means for You

For NDIS participants and their families, this development is a positive sign. It signals that new and innovative solutions are emerging to address the housing shortage for people with high support needs. Properties like the one in Preston offer more choice and access to suitable, high-quality accommodation.

For disability service providers and businesses, this trend presents a clear opportunity to consider former aged care facilities as viable options for expansion. It suggests that investing in the conversion of existing buildings can be a strategic way to meet the growing demand for SDA and contribute to better outcomes for NDIS participants across Victoria.