NDIS Short Term Accommodation in Adelaide: What Short Term Respite Covers
If you are searching for NDIS short term accommodation in Adelaide, you may now see another name for the same support. In October 2025, the National Disability Insurance Agency announced that Short Term Accommodation, often shortened to STA, would be described as short term respite. Many participants, families and providers still use “STA”, so both terms appear in this guide.
Short term respite is designed to give a participant time apart from their usual care arrangements while the family member, friend or carer who normally provides disability-related support takes a short break. It is not general holiday funding. The support must relate to the participant’s disability needs, fit their NDIS plan and be used for its intended purpose.
What is NDIS short term accommodation?
The NDIS describes short term accommodation as support that gives a participant time apart from their usual care arrangements. The emphasis is on maintaining the disability-related support the person normally receives. Depending on the plan and the arrangement, the support may take place in individual or shared accommodation, a homestay, or sometimes in the participant’s own home.
The current NDIS short-term accommodation guidance says funding decisions are based on the level of support a participant usually needs, so the details will differ from one person to another.
Why is STA now called short term respite?
The NDIA changed the description because the purpose is broader than a room or building. Short term respite focuses on the support being provided while a participant and their primary informal supports have time apart. The support may be delivered in accommodation, at home or through another suitable arrangement.
For search and communication purposes, “short term accommodation”, “STA” and “short term respite” are likely to be used together for some time. When speaking with a provider, ask what support is actually included rather than relying on the name alone.
What can short term accommodation funding cover?
Where the support is included in a participant’s plan, the current NDIS guidance says short term accommodation funding may be used for:
- disability-related support with everyday activities such as showering, cooking and toileting
- standard accommodation such as a short-stay rental, cabin, cottage, hostel or respite accommodation
- support in the participant’s own home or a homestay arrangement when the participant usually needs overnight support.
The exact staffing arrangement, setting and inclusions should reflect the participant’s usual needs and the funding available. Participants should only pay for supports they actually use, and prices should be agreed before the stay.
What does the funding not cover?
- Short term respite is not a holiday package. The NDIS says this funding cannot be used for items on the non-NDIS support list, including:
- cruises, holiday packages, airfares or general holiday accommodation
- passports, visas, travel insurance or vehicle insurance
- holiday costs for family members or support workers
- tickets for theme parks, cinemas, concerts, sporting events or conferences
- food and meals.
Important: A provider should not describe STA as a free holiday or suggest that every participant can use plan funds for a getaway. Eligibility, purpose and available funding are decided through the participant’s NDIS plan.
Who may be able to access short term respite?
The NDIS says a participant may be able to receive short term accommodation funding when they live with primary informal supports, such as family, friends or a carer, or receive daily drop-in support, and their primary informal support provides more than six hours of disability-related support each day.
Funding is not automatic. The NDIA considers the participant’s support needs, living situation, goals and available alternatives. Other options may include more support at home or community-based support. Participants under 18 may receive short term accommodation in some situations where their disability-related needs are greater than what is typical for their age and the support helps their family continue caring for them.
A provider cannot decide whether a person is eligible. If short term respite is not included in the plan, or circumstances have changed, speak with the participant’s my NDIS contact, support coordinator or recovery coach about the available options.
How long can an NDIS short term accommodation stay be?
Current NDIS guidance says short term accommodation is usually funded for up to 28 days per year. It can generally be used flexibly, including a block of up to 14 days at a time or shorter stays such as one weekend each month.
The amount in an individual plan may be different. Using more support than planned can cause the budget to run out early, so check the available funding and agreed price before confirming dates.
STA, MTA and SIL: what is the difference?
The terms can sound similar, but they solve different problems. This comparison is a starting point only; the participant’s plan and current NDIS guidance are the final reference.
| Support | Main Purpose | Typical Timeframe | What Funding Focuses On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Term Accommodation (STA) / Short Term Respite | Time apart from usual care arrangements while maintaining needed disability support. | Usually up to 28 days per year; generally no more than 14 days in one block. | Approved support and standard accommodation. |
| Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) | Temporary housing while a long-term home is unavailable or not ready. | Up to 90 days in specific circumstances. | Accommodation only; personal support and ordinary living costs are separate. |
| Supported Independent Living (SIL) | Ongoing help or supervision with daily tasks in the participant’s home. | An ongoing home-and-living arrangement. | The support delivered in the home, not rent or the home itself. |
How to choose an STA provider in Adelaide
A comfortable property matters, but the quality of support matters just as much. Before choosing a short term respite provider, look at how the team will understand the participant, plan the stay and respond if something changes.
- Support matched to the person: The staffing ratio, worker skills and routines should reflect the participant’s assessed needs rather than a standard package.
- Choice and control: The participant should be included in decisions about routines, communication, activities, privacy and who supports them.
- A suitable setting: Check step-free access, bathroom layout, bedroom space, sensory environment, equipment and transport access where relevant.
- Safe and competent support: Ask how workers are matched, trained and supervised, particularly for medication, mealtime support, mobility or complex health needs.
- Clear pricing: Request an itemised quote and confirm what is funded, what is a private expense and how cancellations are handled.
- A written service agreement: It should describe what will be delivered, when and where it will be delivered, the price and how changes or concerns are managed.
- Communication: Agree on updates before, during and after the stay, including the participant’s preferred communication method.
- Feedback and complaints: The participant should be able to raise a concern safely and understand how the provider will respond.
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to registered and unregistered providers and workers. It includes respect for individual rights, privacy, safe and competent services, integrity, prompt action on concerns and fair pricing.
Questions to ask before booking
- Does the participant have suitable funding for this stay, and which support item will be used?
- What support is included in the quoted price, and what must be paid privately?
- Who will provide support, and do they have the skills required for the participant’s needs?
- Can the participant visit the accommodation and meet the team before confirming?
- How will routines, communication, medication and health support be documented?
- Is the property accessible for the participant’s mobility, equipment and sensory needs?
- What are the cancellation, emergency, incident and complaints procedures?
- How will the provider share updates with the participant and authorised people?
What should be in the service agreement?
A service agreement helps the participant and provider share the same expectations. It should be written in a format the participant understands and record:
- the supports being provided and the goals they relate to
- how, when and where the supports will be delivered
- the agreed price, payment method and any private expenses
- staffing arrangements and relevant support requirements
- cancellation terms and how changes can be made
- privacy, feedback, complaints, emergencies and ending the service.
Read the NDIS guidance on service agreements before signing or changing an agreement.
Planning for a comfortable and safe stay
Good preparation reduces uncertainty for everyone. Before arrival, the participant and provider should discuss the person’s normal routine, preferences, communication, support plan and any risks that need to be managed.
- preferred routines for sleep, personal care, meals and community activities
- communication methods, sensory preferences and decision-making support
- medication information and authorised medication support arrangements
- mobility equipment, continence, mealtime or complex health support requirements
- allergies, dietary preferences and how food costs will be handled
- transport, appointments, emergency contacts and check-in arrangements
- personal spending money and any other costs not covered by the NDIS.
Practical tip: Ask for a written pre-stay checklist. It should identify what the participant needs to bring and what the provider will supply. Do not assume that meals, transport, tickets or personal items are included.
Short term accommodation with SARI Healthcare
SARI Healthcare states that it offers Short and Medium Term Accommodation at several locations across metropolitan Adelaide. Its website also lists current housing options in areas including Parafield Gardens, Salisbury South, Salisbury North, Elizabeth North, Morphett Vale and Seaford Meadows.
Property availability, accessibility features and the support that can be delivered may change. Before making a referral or booking, speak with the SARI team about the participant’s plan, preferred dates, support needs, location and whether a particular setting is suitable.
Frequently asked questions
Is short term accommodation the same as respite?
The NDIS now describes Short Term Accommodation as short term respite. The newer name focuses on time apart from the participant’s usual care arrangements and the disability-related support provided during that time. “STA” remains a common search and industry term.
Can NDIS funds pay for a holiday?
No. Short term accommodation funding is not holiday funding. It cannot be used for cruises, holiday packages, airfares, entertainment tickets or general travel costs. The arrangement must meet the participant’s disability support needs and follow their plan.
Are food and meals included in STA funding?
Current NDIS guidance lists food and meals as non-NDIS supports. Ask the provider how groceries, prepared meals and other personal expenses will be handled before agreeing to the stay.
How many STA days can the NDIS fund?
The NDIS says short term accommodation is usually funded for up to 28 days per year and can generally be used in blocks of up to 14 days. Individual plans and budgets differ, so confirm the participant’s funding before booking.
Can short term respite be provided in the participant’s home?
It may be possible. Current NDIS guidance says funding can be used for support in the participant’s own home or a homestay arrangement when the participant usually needs overnight support. The arrangement still needs to meet the plan and funding rules.
What is the difference between STA and MTA?
STA or short term respite provides temporary time apart from usual care arrangements and may include approved support and standard accommodation. MTA is temporary housing for specific situations, such as waiting for a long-term home to become available, and can be funded for up to 90 days. MTA funding covers accommodation, while personal care and ordinary living costs are separate.
Do I need to use a registered NDIS provider?
Participants with NDIA-managed funding must use registered providers. Participants with plan-managed or self-managed funding have broader provider choice, subject to the NDIS rules and their plan. Check the participant’s funding management type and the provider’s registration before agreeing to services.