How to Get Short Term Accommodation in Your NDIS Plan

Step 1: Check the Basic Tests

STA is for participants who live with, or get daily drop-in support from, family or carers who give more than 6 hours a day of disability-related support.

At least one extra factor needs to apply too, such as high intensity support needs, complex behaviour support, or a carer whose own health or other caring responsibilities put their role at risk. Our page on who can get STA lists them all, and the situations where the NDIA won't fund it.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

The NDIA looks at evidence about when and how often you need support.

• A description of a typical day and night: who helps with what, and for how long
• How many hours of support family and carers give each day, and any times they need 2 people
• Paid supports and mainstream services you get, and the breaks in them, like school holidays
• Reports from allied health professionals and providers, and any assessments
• Anything that puts the caring arrangement at risk: a carer's age or health, or other people they care for
• How a stay would help your goals, like trying new activities or building independence

Step 3: Ask the NDIA

Talk to your my NDIS contact, raise it at your check-in meeting, or ask for a plan change.

You can ask for a plan change if your situation has changed, or if your current plan doesn't have the STA you now need. A support coordinator, if you have one, can help you prepare.

Step 4: Check the Plan

STA goes in the Core budget as flexible funding.

The NDIA works out the amount using the NDIS Pricing Schedule and the level of support you usually need, generally for up to 28 days a year. Once it's in the plan, you can start looking for a provider and a stay. Our page on how STA funding works explains how to make it last.

What If the Answer Is No?

The NDIA gives written reasons. You can ask for an internal review within 3 months of getting your plan.

Read the reasons first, and contact the NDIA if you want more detail about them. You can also ask about other supports, like a support worker at home or in the community, which can give your carers a break in a different way.