A guide to NDIS respite care rates for participants

Respite care through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide important support for participants and their families or informal supports. When funded by the NDIS, short-term respite allows eligible participants to spend time away from their usual care arrangements while receiving the disability-related assistance they need.

There are specific eligibility requirements, funding rules and pricing arrangements that apply to NDIS-funded Short-Term Accommodation (STA), also known as short-term respite care. Significant pricing changes came into effect on 1 July 2026, changing how accommodation and disability-related assistance are priced.

This guide explains how NDIS respite care funding works, current STA pricing arrangements, who may be eligible and which expenses cannot be paid for using NDIS funding.

For premium respite care services, HealSoul stands ready to support you. We specialise in delivering top-notch NDIS respite care and can assist you with a free consultation to explore your needs, no matter your situation.

Does the NDIS pay for respite care?

The NDIS may fund short-term respite through Short-Term Accommodation (STA) where it relates to a participant’s disability support needs and meets the NDIS funding criteria.

Short-Term Accommodation gives eligible participants time apart from their primary informal supports while ensuring they continue to receive the disability-related assistance they need. Depending on your individual needs and NDIS plan, funded supports may include:

• Short-term accommodation 
• Assistance with personal care and daily living
• Disability-related support with meal preparation or eating
• Support to access the community or participate socially
• Overnight disability-related assistance where required
• Support to maintain routines and everyday activities while away from home

The NDIS does not fund ordinary living or holiday expenses through STA, including food and meals, holiday packages, airfares, entertainment and personal recreational or activity costs.

What are the NDIS respite care rates?

From 1 July 2026, NDIS pricing for Short-Term Accommodation changed from the previous bundled daily rate to an unbundled pricing model.

Under the current NDIS Pricing Schedule, the cost of the participant’s accommodation is priced separately from the disability-related assistance they receive during their stay. This means there is no longer a single STA daily rate covering accommodation, disability support and everyday expenses.

The total cost of a respite stay can therefore depend on:

• The length of the stay
• The participant’s accommodation requirements
• The amount and intensity of disability-related assistance required
• When support is provided, such as weekdays, weekends or public holidays
• Whether the service is delivered in a remote or very remote location
• Any everyday expenses that need to be paid for separately

Food, meals and personal activity or entertainment costs are not included as NDIS-funded STA supports.

STA NDIS Pricing Schedule (Effective 1 July 2026)

The NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27 introduced separate price limits for Short-Term Accommodation participant accommodation and eligible disability-related assistance.

At the time of publication, the national price limit for Short-Term Accommodation – Participant Accommodation is $162.85 per day. Higher limits apply in remote and very remote areas.

Disability-related assistance is priced separately according to the type, timing and level of support required. Where accommodation for a support worker is required as part of the participant’s disability-related support, separate NDIS pricing arrangements may also apply.

As NDIS price limits are reviewed periodically, participants should confirm current pricing with their provider and refer to the latest NDIS Pricing Schedule. Your provider should explain the expected cost of your accommodation and supports, including any expenses that cannot be paid for using NDIS funding.

How much Short-Term Accommodation can the NDIS fund?

Short-Term Accommodation funding is based on individual circumstances rather than an automatic entitlement for every NDIS participant.

Under current NDIS guidance, short-term respite can generally be funded for up to 14 days at a time and up to 28 days per year where the participant meets the relevant criteria.

The NDIA considers factors including the disability-related support a participant receives from their primary informal supports, whether respite will help sustain those caring arrangements and the level of support the participant requires while away from them.

Having an NDIS plan does not automatically mean Short-Term Accommodation will be funded. The support must meet the NDIS funding criteria and be appropriate to the participant’s circumstances.

What else can affect the costs of NDIS respite care?

The amount you may need to pay towards a respite stay depends on both your NDIS funding and the services or expenses involved.

Your NDIS plan may fund eligible Short-Term Accommodation and disability-related assistance. However, everyday expenses that are not NDIS supports need to be paid separately. These can include:

• Food and meals
• Entertainment and recreational activities
• Admission or ticket costs
• Airfares and other holiday travel costs
• Holiday packages or holiday accommodation
• Other ordinary day-to-day living expenses

If you’re unsure whether Short-Term Accommodation is included in your plan or what your funding can be used for, speak with you NDIS contact, support coordinator or plan manager.

Short-Term Accommodation is also not intended to provide long-term housing, emergency accommodation or accommodation for holidays. Different NDIS, mainstream or community supports may apply where longer-term or emergency accommodation is required.

How can HealSoul help?

HealSoul provides personalised Short-Term Accommodation and respite care across Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Our team can help you understand your STA funding options, discuss your accommodation and disability-related support needs and explain how Short-Term Accommodation may fit within your NDIS plan.

Our respite services are tailored around your individual routines, goals and support requirements, with a focus on comfort, independence and wellbeing.

Contact HealSoul today for a free consultation to discuss your Short-Term Accommodation and respite care options.

with personal care and daily living