Updated July 2026
Short Term Accommodation has been renamed short-term respite by the NDIS. The new wording matters because the support is about sustaining informal care arrangements—not funding a holiday.
Is Short Term Accommodation the same as short-term respite?
Yes. You may still see “Short Term Accommodation” or “STA” in older plans, service agreements and online information. The NDIS now uses short-term respite because that term more clearly describes the support’s purpose.
The aim is to help sustain the participant’s normal care arrangement by giving the family member, friend or carer who provides substantial unpaid support a short break. It is not intended to replace ordinary time apart, school, work, crisis housing or mainstream services.
Who may be able to use short-term respite?
The NDIA makes individual funding decisions. Current NDIS information says funding may be considered for a participant who lives with primary informal supports, or receives daily drop-in support, and receives more than six hours a day of disability-related support from their primary informal support.
For children, the NDIA also considers what support would normally be expected from a parent and whether disability-related needs are substantially greater than what is typical for the child’s age.
Having an NDIS plan does not automatically mean short-term respite is funded. Check the plan, speak with the participant’s my NDIS contact or support coordinator, and confirm the applicable support before making a booking.
What is short-term respite for?
- Giving a participant and their primary informal supports time apart from their usual care arrangement.
- Helping the informal support network rest and continue in its caring role.
- Providing disability-related support during an agreed short stay.
- Maintaining routines, safety, communication and personal care while the participant is away from home.
A quality respite plan should be centred on the participant. The provider should understand what a good stay looks like for that person—not simply what accommodation is available.
What can NDIS short-term respite funding not be used for?
Current NDIS guidance is clear that short-term respite is not a holiday package. It cannot be used to pay for non-NDIS supports such as:
- food or meals
- cruises, holiday packages or holiday accommodation
- airfares, passports, visas or travel insurance
- accommodation or travel costs for family members
- theme parks, cinema, theatre, concerts, sporting events or conferences
- ordinary travel to and from a holiday.
You should only pay for supports that are actually used and allowed by the participant’s plan and current rules. Read the latest NDIS short-term accommodation information before finalising an arrangement.
What should a respite provider ask before confirming a stay?
A careful intake protects the participant, their supporters and staff. Useful information includes:
- goals for the stay and preferred dates
- personal care, continence, showering, dressing and grooming support
- communication method, sensory needs and decision-making supports
- mobility, transfers, equipment and accessibility
- mealtime support, swallowing plans and dietary information
- medication arrangements and health escalation instructions
- behaviour support plan and known risks, where relevant
- sleep routine and overnight support requirements
- emergency contacts and handover responsibilities
- plan funding, management type and service agreement.
If a provider skips these questions and offers a booking before understanding the participant’s needs, that is a reason to pause.
Questions to ask a respite provider
- How will you match staff to the participant’s needs and communication style?
- What accessibility and equipment checks will you complete?
- How are medication, incidents and emergency escalation handled?
- What is included in the quote, and what must be paid privately?
- How do you protect privacy and share information with authorised people?
- What happens if the participant’s needs or dates change?
- How will you measure whether the stay met the participant’s goals?
Frequently asked questions
Can short-term respite be used for a holiday?
No. Current NDIS guidance says it is not for holidays, cruises, airfares, holiday packages or entertainment. It is a disability support designed to sustain the participant’s usual informal care arrangement.
Does short-term respite pay for meals?
No. Current NDIS guidance lists food and meals as non-NDIS supports. Confirm all inclusions, exclusions and private costs in writing before a stay.
Is short-term respite emergency accommodation?
No. It does not replace crisis accommodation or emergency housing. If someone is at immediate risk, use the appropriate emergency or crisis service.
How long can a respite stay be?
The approved length and frequency depend on the participant’s plan, needs and current NDIS guidance. Ask the participant’s my NDIS contact or support coordinator to confirm the funding.
Discuss a planned respite stay
Eden Ability accepts enquiries from participants, families, support coordinators and referring professionals. Every request is subject to suitability, funding and current capacity.
Explore Eden Ability’s respite and accommodation pathway or call 1300 22 88 56.
General information only. NDIS guidance changes and individual funding decisions vary. Check the participant’s current plan and the latest NDIA information.
