NDIS Respite Care & Short Term Accommodation (STA) Explained

Sometimes, you may require temporary arrangements to spend a short time away from home. In this situation the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may fund short term accommodation (STA) or respite care to allow both yourself and your carer a short break from your usual arrangement.

What is respite support?

Respite care is one area of STA. This is typically the kind of alternative care put in place if a usual caregiver isn’t available for temporary periods of time.

‘Respite’ can refer to very short term care. It might include dusk to dawn care, or a few hours during the day where care is not covered by other NDIS supports. Respite care can also look like informal care from friends or family, though this would not be funded by the NDIS.

What is short term accommodation?

STA is the broader term for short term caring arrangements, including respite. As with other supports, the use of STA must be related to your disability.

Short term breaks from your usual arrangements can be good for you as well; especially if you typically rely on informal networks (like friends or family). Accessing STA can give you a little time apart, which can ultimately strengthen the bonds in your support network.

‘Short term’ typically means up to 14 days at a time, and up to a total of 28 days per year. Longer term arrangements would be classified as Supported Independent living or Medium Term Accommodation.

What does short term accommodation cover?

STA covers your support needs while you are in an alternate accommodation arrangement. This includes food, activities, personal care – all the things your normal care would include, though you may need to shop around to find a provider that meets your specific requirements.

The NDIS may consider adding funding for STA to your plan if it would be considered “reasonable and necessary”. For example, if it:

• Means your informal supports (or family) will be able to support you for longer
• Helps with your functional capacity
• Helps you increase independence
• Means you may not need as much support in future

Important considerations for short term accommodation

When it comes to choosing providers to cover these temporary periods of support, there are several things you should consider.

Is STA covered in my NDIS plan?

All STA including respite support falls under Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life in your NDIS funding. 

To have STA-specific funding, you will need to provide evidence to the NDIS. This may include formal documentation from a health-care professional who has worked with you long-term (such as an OT), and a letter from your informal supports to explain their need for a break.

If STA isn’t a stated part of your NDIS plan, but you have core supports, you may still be able to access these services.

Your core budget is the most flexible one (compared to capacity building, capital, and recurring supports). You typically can use this funding across any of the categories within:

• Assistance with Daily Life
• Assistance with Social, Economic and Community participation
• Consumables
• Transport (if eligible)

How might STA impact my NDIS core supports budget?

Your core supports funds must last the lifetime of your plan. While there are some exceptions (such as if your needs and circumstances change) that can and should be worked out with the NDIS – generally speaking, budgets won’t get topped up until your next plan renewal.

This is important to keep in mind because STA & respite care is expensive. It can quickly eat into your budget for core supports. If you are able to do so, try to time your STA strategically for better rates.

If you do have funding for STA, it will typically be for a group price rather than 1:1 support. The cost of short term accommodation to individuals can vary depending on whether it’s a weekday, weekend, public holiday; or for short term respite billed by the hour, it can also change depending on whether it is day or night.

It isn’t just time of day or day of the week that impacts the overall price. There is additional cost to those accessing this support in remote and very remote areas, as opposed to the national rates.

Of course, STA & respite providers must always operate within the NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits – their rates cannot exceed the limits set out by the NDIS.

Is this short term accommodation the right fit for me?

On top of when and how you utilise your funds for STA, you should take care to find the right fit for you. Some questions to keep in mind:

• If in a group situation, who will you be grouping up with?
• What activities might be available?
• Can the provider meet your specific support needs?
• What is the setup of the accommodation facility like? Is it large or small, and which of these would you be more comfortable with?

STA can be a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and develop new skills, with many providers offering activities to support building your capacity and independence.

Plan Management gives YOU more options

If you are a plan managed NDIS participant, you will have the option of using both registered providers and unregistered providers for support services. This gives you a wider pool of providers to choose from, meaning you can make sure your STA placement is just right for you.

As your expert plan management team, NDSP can help you manage the financial aspects of your NDIS plan. We handle invoicing, and our user-friendly online Nappa portal ensures you can see live info 24/7 on how your funds are tracking.

Our team are experts regarding the NDIS. We know the jargon and the fine print – and we have resources available if you would like to brush up your knowledge on this as well, including our free online Participant Toolbox.

If NDIS plan management sounds like something you might be interested in, contact NDSP todayto experience the benefits of our comprehensive support.