How to Plan NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA): A Practical Guide for Participants and Families

Planning NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA) involves more than choosing somewhere to stay. The right arrangement should reflect the participant’s support needs, daily routines, personal preferences and goals, while also considering the needs of the people who usually support them.

Whether you are considering a short stay away from home or an arrangement that provides support in familiar surroundings, planning ahead can help make the experience safer, more comfortable and more meaningful.

There can be a lot of decisions to make at once, for participants and for the families who support them, and it is fine to take them one step at a time. This guide explains how to approach NDIS short-term accommodation planning, what to discuss with a provider and what to check before a stay goes ahead.

It is written for participants planning a stay for themselves and for the family members and carers helping them. Where it says “the participant”, it means the person who will be staying.

1. Check your NDIS plan and available funding

Before making arrangements, review the participant’s current NDIS plan and available funding. The NDIS previously called this support short term respite, so the plan or other paperwork may use that name.

Short-Term Accommodation provides the support a participant needs while their usual carers take a short break. Funding is not automatically available to every participant. The NDIS says a participant may be able to get STA funding if they live with their primary informal supports — usually family or friends who support them without being paid — or receive daily drop-in support from them, and those informal supports provide more than six hours of disability-related support a day. Meeting these indicators is not a guarantee of funding, and the participant’s individual circumstances still matter.

Different rules apply to children. The NDIS may fund STA for a child under 18 in some situations — where their disability-related support needs are greater than what is typical for their age, and a short stay helps their family continue caring for them. It is not a replacement for everyday parenting responsibilities.

The NDIS says STA is usually funded for up to 28 days a year. Those days can be used flexibly — the NDIS participant guide to short-term accommodation (opens in a new tab) gives examples such as a block of up to 14 days at a time, or one weekend a month.

However, the amount available, the way it can be used and whether STA is appropriate depend on the participant’s individual plan and circumstances.

Before booking, consider:

• Whether STA funding is included in the participant’s plan.
• How much funding is available.
• Whether the proposed arrangement fits the participant’s support needs and plan.
• How the funding needs to last for the remainder of the plan period.

If you are unsure, speak with their NDIS contact, or their support coordinator if they have one, before making financial commitments.

2. Identify the participant’s support requirements

The accommodation and support arrangement should reflect what the participant needs in everyday life.

Think about the assistance they usually receive and whether anything will be different during the stay.

Important considerations include:

• Personal care: showering, dressing, grooming and toileting assistance.
• Medication routines: medication schedules and any relevant administration requirements.
• Mobility and accessibility: transfers, mobility equipment, accessible bathrooms and safe movement around the accommodation.
• Communication: preferred communication methods, devices and ways of expressing choices.
• Sensory preferences: lighting, noise, familiar surroundings and sensory supports.
• Behaviour support: relevant strategies and plans, where applicable.
• Overnight support: whether the participant needs overnight supervision, active assistance or other arrangements.
• Food and dietary needs: allergies, preferences and any relevant health or dietary requirements.

Sharing accurate information with the provider before the stay helps everyone understand the participant’s requirements and discuss an appropriate support arrangement.

3. Choose the right STA arrangement

STA does not always mean staying in a dedicated respite house.

Depending on the participant’s circumstances and support needs, arrangements may include:

• Standard accommodation, such as a hotel or motel, a short-stay rental, a cabin or cottage, a hostel, or respite accommodation.
• A homestay with a support worker, where the participant usually needs overnight support.
• Support from a support worker in the participant’s own home, where the participant usually needs overnight support.

STA can also be provided in a shared or individual setting. Which suits the participant, and what can be funded, depends on their support needs and plan.

Even when a stay is in a motel, cabin or short-stay rental, STA is not a holiday, and the funding does not cover every cost of the stay. Section 5 explains what it can and cannot pay for.

The best arrangement is not necessarily the one that offers the most activities or the biggest change of scenery.

Consider what the participant actually wants. Some people enjoy meeting others and experiencing a different environment. Others may feel more comfortable with familiar surroundings and established routines.

Involve the participant in the decision wherever possible. Their preferences, communication needs, safety and independence should guide the planning process.

4. Prepare a support and activity plan

A well-planned stay should provide continuity of support while giving the participant opportunities to enjoy their time.

Before the arrangement begins, discuss the following with the provider:

• The participant’s usual daily routine.
• Preferred activities and interests.
• Personal care and support requirements.
• Communication preferences.
• Relevant health and safety information.
• Emergency contacts and procedures.
• Any changes the participant may need help preparing for.

It may also be helpful to organise an introductory meeting or familiarisation visit with the support team.

This gives the participant an opportunity to become familiar with the environment, meet the people involved and ask questions before the stay begins.

Planning these details together can make the transition easier for both the participant and their family.

5. Understand what STA funding can cover

It helps to know early which costs can be covered by NDIS STA funding and which expenses need to be paid for separately.

The current NDIS guidance explains that STA can cover eligible disability-related support and the accommodation used for the stay, subject to the participant’s plan and applicable funding rules.

Support and accommodation are separate parts of the cost. Under the current NDIS pricing arrangements, support from a support worker is priced by the hour, and accommodation is priced by the day, with separate items for the participant’s accommodation and a support worker’s accommodation. There is no single daily amount that automatically covers everything.

STA is not a holiday budget. The NDIS says STA funding cannot pay for costs including:

• Food and meals.
• Activities and entertainment, such as theme parks, music, theatre, cinema, sporting events or conferences.
• Cruises, holiday packages and holiday accommodation.
• Airfares, passports and visas, and travel or vehicle insurance.
• Accommodation or travel expenses for family members, or for support workers providing support on a holiday.

The distinction between an eligible STA arrangement and a holiday is important.

Ask the provider for a clear explanation of the proposed arrangement, the supports being delivered, and how food, meals and any other additional costs will be paid for, before agreeing to a booking.

6. Review the provider before you book

Choosing a suitable provider is an important part of planning a stay.

Before making a decision, ask questions about the support arrangements and the accommodation environment.

For example:

• What experience do staff have supporting people with similar requirements?
• What screening and training arrangements apply to staff?
• Is the accommodation suitable for the participant’s mobility and accessibility needs?
• How are personal care and overnight support arranged?
• What emergency and incident management procedures are in place?
• How will the provider communicate with the participant, family or representative?
• What fees, service agreement conditions and cancellation arrangements apply?

It is also worth discussing how the provider will involve the participant in decisions about their daily routine and activities.

Taking time to understand these details can help participants and families make a more informed choice.

How Gencare can help with STA planning

Planning Short-Term Accommodation can involve several decisions, from understanding support requirements to discussing suitable arrangements.

Gencare Disability Services supports NDIS participants and families with Short-Term Accommodation and respite arrangements. Our team can discuss individual requirements, preferred arrangements and support needs to help identify an appropriate option.

We can also discuss how STA fits alongside other home and living supports, including Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL).

If you are considering short-term accommodation in Melbourne, or you live elsewhere in Victoria and are not sure what is available near you, contact Gencare Disability Services to discuss your requirements.

Important information

This article provides general information only and is not financial, legal or NDIS funding advice. NDIS funding and eligibility depend on individual circumstances, current plan arrangements and applicable NDIS rules. Participants should confirm their funding and support requirements with the NDIA or their relevant NDIS contact before making financial commitments.