Everything you need to know about accessing respite care through the NDIS
NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA), often referred to as respite care, is a disability support that gives participants time apart from their usual care arrangements while ensuring they continue to receive the disability-related support they need.
Short Term Accommodation can provide participants with temporary support while their family members, friends or other primary informal supports take a short break from their caring responsibilities. Depending on the participant’s needs, STA may be used in their own home, a homestay arrangement, or shared or individual accommodation.
If you’re considering Short Term Accommodation or respite care, get in touch with HealSoul. Our team can discuss your support needs, available STA options and what may be funded through your NDIS plan.
What is NDIS Respite Care and Short Term Accommodation?
NDIS Short Term Accommodation provides temporary accommodation and disability-related support when a participant needs time apart from their usual care arrangements. STA can be used flexibly in a participant’s own home, a homestay arrangement, or shared or individual accommodation. Under current NDIS guidance, it can generally be used for a block of up to 14 days at a time.
The disability-related assistance provided during Short Term Accommodation will depend on the participant’s usual support needs and NDIS plan. This may include:
- Personal care and everyday assistance, such as showering, grooming, toileting and mobility support
- Standard short-term accommodation, which may include shared or individual accommodation depending on your needs
- Disability-related assistance with preparing food, eating or drinking where required. The cost of food and meals itself is not funded through STA
- Disability-related support to undertake usual activities or access the community where this forms part of your support needs. Personal entertainment, activity and admission costs are not funded through STA
The type and level of disability-related assistance funded during STA will depend on your usual support needs and NDIS plan. From 1 July 2026, participant accommodation and eligible disability-related assistance are priced separately, so you should only pay for the accommodation and supports you actually use.
How does NDIS Respite Care and Short Term Accommodation work?
The NDIS usually funds Short Term Accommodation for up to 28 days per year, where the relevant criteria are met. This funding can be used flexibly, such as for a weekend each month or in blocks of up to 14 days at a time.
Applying for Short Term Accommodation
If you think you need Short Term Accommodation, you can talk to your my NDIS contact about having STA funding included in your plan. Under current NDIS guidance, Short Term Accommodation may be considered where you:
- live with primary informal supports such as family, friends or a carer, or receive daily drop-in support
- receive more than six hours of disability-related support a day from your primary informal support
- need STA to support your disability-related needs while your usual informal supports take a short break.
When STA is funded, the level of disability-related support is based on the assistance you usually need. Depending on your circumstances, STA can be used in your own home or in shared or individual accommodation.
What the NDIS won’t fund
Short Term Accommodation is not intended to replace crisis accommodation, holiday accommodation or longer-term housing. STA funding also cannot be used for ordinary living or personal expenses that are not NDIS supports.
STA funding cannot be used to pay for:
- cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation or airfares
- food or meals
- personal entertainment, activities or admission costs
- ordinary travel and living expenses that are not NDIS supports
- crisis accommodation or longer-term housing.
Putting Short Term Accommodation in your plan
If you need Short Term Accommodation, talk to your my NDIS contact about whether STA funding can be included in your plan. You must use STA funding in line with your plan and make sure the available funding lasts for the relevant funding period.
If you’d like to learn more about Short Term Accommodation, speak with your my NDIS contact or support coordinator. HealSoul can also explain our STA services, current pricing arrangements and the support options available based on your individual needs.
Why is NDIS Respite Care and Short Term Accommodation important?
Short Term Accommodation helps participants continue receiving the disability-related assistance they usually need while having time apart from their normal care arrangements. This can provide continuity of support while giving primary informal supports a short break from their caring responsibilities.
Short Term Accommodation can also help sustain family members, friends and other informal supports who provide significant disability-related assistance. Having access to a short break can support their wellbeing and help them continue in their caring role.
Finally, a short-term stint away from home can also assist participants as they:
- Develop new skills
- Try new things
- Make new connections
These experiences may support participants to build confidence, independence and social connections while continuing to receive the disability-related assistance they need.
How HealSoul can help
HealSoul provides Short Term Accommodation and respite support tailored to participants’ individual disability-related needs. Our team can help you understand the available accommodation and support options, current pricing arrangements and which everyday costs may need to be paid separately.
Our primary focus is assisting you in achieving your goals while offering you a more independent way of living. We deliver person-centred disability support with a focus on respect, safety and each participant’s individual needs. Our professional support workers work with participants to provide consistent and personalised assistance during their stay.
Get in touch with HealSoul today to discuss Short Term Accommodation and Respite Care. We’ll work with you to understand your support needs and explain what to expect from your STA arrangements, whether support is provided at home or in another accommodation setting. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.
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