How Much Does NDIS Respite Care Cost?
A guide to NDIS respite care rates for participants
Respite care through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an invaluable support for both participants and their families. When paid for by the NDIS, respite care can afford time off for families who have assumed the role of regular carers, while NDIS participants receive the same level of care and support at home.
There are some limits to respite care that is funded through the NDIS. This article will cover how funding for respite care works in a standard NDIS plan. We’ll also take a look at the requirements participants must meet to receive respite care, and also what the NDIS won’t fund under their current guidelines.
When it comes to finding better respite care services for NDIS participants, HealSoul is in your corner. We know exactly how to deliver respite care services as a premium NDIS support service provider. If you’d like to learn more about what we do, get in touch with our team for a free consultation.
Does the NDIS pay for respite care?
Yes, the NDIS can fund respite care under its Short Term Accommodation and Respite Care service. This is a core support that is available to most NDIS participants that meet the criteria. Specifically, the NDIS respite care program covers:
- Short term accommodation in a suitable facility
- Assistance with self-care or community access activities
- Overnight support and activities
- Food, groceries, and related items
- Negotiated activities related to an individual’s NDIS plan
Negotiated activities related to a participant’s NDIS plan can be metered out to focus on:
- Assistance with daily life
- Health and well being improvements
- Daily living skills improvements
- Life choices and relationship goals
- Assistance and increase in social and community participation
- Assistance with daily living at home, in the community, in education and at work
- Short term accommodation
(Image: NDIS Respite Care Program)
What are the NDIS respite care rates?
NDIS respite care rates are defined by the NDIS Pricing Agreements and Price Limits which define maximum prices for respite care services. These prices are influenced by the day of the week, weekends and holidays, and the ratio of staff to participants at the support provider.
Distance also plays a factor in deciding the final cost of an NDIS service. National services will cost less than remote services, due to staffing requirements and other issues.
Here’s a breakdown of maximum costs for NDIS respite care based on location, ratio of participant to support worker, and location:
| Item Name and Notes | Unit | National | Remote | Very Remote |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:1 – Weekday | Day | $1,928.20 | $2,699.48 | $2,892.30 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:1 – Saturday | Day | $2,465.80 | $3,452.12 | $3,698.70 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:1 – Sunday | Day | $3,124.12 | $4,373.77 | $4,686.18 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:1 – Public Holiday | Day | $3,782.44 | $5,295.42 | $5,673.66 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:2 – Weekday | Day | $1,060.48 | $1,484.67 | $1,590.72 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:2 – Saturday | Day | $1,329.28 | $1,860.99 | $1,993.92 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:2 – Sunday | Day | $1,658.44 | $2,321.82 | $2,487.66 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:2 – Public Holiday | Day | $1,987.60 | $2,782.64 | $2,981.40 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:3 – Weekday | Day | $771.24 | $1,079.74 | $1,156.86 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:3 – Saturday | Day | $950.44 | $1,330.62 | $1,425.66 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:3 – Sunday | Day | $1,169.88 | $1,637.83 | $1,754.82 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:3 – Public Holiday | Day | $1,389.32 | $1,945.05 | $2,083.98 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:4 – Weekday | Day | $626.62 | $877.27 | $939.93 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:4 – Saturday | Day | $761.02 | $1,065.43 | $1,141.53 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:4 – Sunday | Day | $925.60 | $1,295.84 | $1,388.40 |
| STA And Assistance (Inc. Respite) – Ratio 1:4 – Public Holiday | Day | $1,090.18 | $1,526.25 | $1,635.27 |
The final bottom line price is a negotiation around your length of stay, the level of support you require, and what is included in your service.
What else can affect the costs of NDIS respite care?
The most important thing that may affect the cost of your respite care is if it is included in your plan at all. The NDIS may decide for whatever reason that it is not appropriate to fund respite care. If this is the case, you may have to pay for it out of pocket.
It is advantageous to talk to your local coordinator to see if respite care is something you can access. You’ll need to provide evidence that will support the inclusion of respite care into your NDIS plan. This evidence may include:
- If your family or informal supports can care for you for longer if respite care is sought
- If you may not need as much support in the future
- If respite care can help you maintain functional capacity
- If it helps you increase your independence
- If it help you undertake more activities
Longer term respite care is not funded by the NDIS, as this falls under day to day living expenses that anyone must pay. The NDIS will also not fund accommodation for appointments, or other reasons related to your disability, like temporary accommodation waiting for renovations.
Respite care for children requires a different set of considerations, so be sure to read up on them at the NDIS resource What about Short Term Accommodation for Children?.
How can HealSoul help?
HealSoul can assist you in understanding how you can get the most out of NDIS respite care funding. We’ll do so by taking a look at your personal situation in a free consultation. From here, we can give you qualified advice about what you need to do to meet participation criteria.
HealSoul can put you in touch with better respite care services that work for you and your NDIS budget. We approach every client interaction with the highest levels of compassion and respect. We want you to find a more independent way of living out of the home. Let’s get started with a free consultation.
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