How Many Days of Short Term Accommodation Can You Get?
The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days of short term accommodation (STA) a year, for up to 14 days at a time. You choose how to use them: a block of up to two weeks, a weekend each month, or a mix. More than 28 days can be funded in exceptional circumstances, and for children at risk of not being able to stay in the family home, generally no more than 60.
What Are the Limits?
From the NDIA's short term accommodation guideline:
| Limit | What the guideline says |
|---|---|
| Each stay | Up to 14 days at a time, and at least one night |
| Each year | Generally up to 28 days |
| Exceptional circumstances | More than 28 days a year may be funded |
| Children at risk of leaving the family home | More than 28 days may be funded, generally no more than 60 a year |
How Can You Split the 28 Days?
However suits you and your family, as long as the funding lasts the plan.
- One weekend a month, about 2 nights each time
- Two or three longer blocks a year, up to 14 days each
- 3 days every month or two, as in one of the NDIA's own examples
- A mix: regular short stays plus one longer block when your carer needs it
Remember that the funding is a dollar amount in your Core budget, not a count of days. If you choose more support than you need, or a more expensive setting, you'll use it faster.
Looking for a Stay?
We'll connect you with a registered STA provider who may have a stay that suits.
When Does the NDIA Fund More Than 28 Days?
In exceptional circumstances, when your support needs mean you need more.
The NDIA will also look at whether a different support would suit better. If you need somewhere to stay for longer, that might be medium term accommodation (up to 90 days in specific situations), individualised living options or supported independent living. Our page comparing STA, MTA and SIL explains the differences.
How Long Can Someone Stay in Respite in One Go?
Up to 14 days at a time under STA.
Stays longer than that aren't short term accommodation. If you're waiting for a long-term home that isn't ready, or leaving hospital, medium term accommodation may fit. If a carer can no longer care at all, talk to the NDIA about a plan change and to Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 about emergency respite.
Questions People Ask
Is it 28 days or 28 nights?
The NDIA's guideline talks about days: generally up to 28 days of short term accommodation a year, for up to 14 days at a time.
Do unused STA days roll over?
STA is funding in your Core budget for the length of your plan, not a bank of days. Talk to your my NDIS contact at your check-in or plan reassessment if your needs have changed.
Can I use all 28 days at once?
Not in one stay. Each stay can be up to 14 days, so 28 days would be at least two stays.
Can a child get more than 28 days of STA?
In exceptional situations, if the child is at risk of not being able to stay in the family home because of significant disability support needs. The NDIA generally won't fund more than 60 days a year.
Keep Reading
- How STA funding worksHow NDIS short term accommodation funding works: the Core budget, how the NDIA sets the amount, making it last the plan, and asking for more if needs change.
- STA vs MTA vs SILThe difference between NDIS short term accommodation (STA), medium term accommodation (MTA) and supported independent living (SIL), side by side, with examples.
- STA for childrenWhen the NDIS funds short term accommodation (respite) for children under 18: the tests, the extra factors, the 60 day limit and what providers must follow.
- Who can get STAThe NDIA's rules for short term accommodation: the 6 hour test, the extra factors it looks for, when it won't fund STA, and the different rules for children.
- Planning a first stayHow to plan a first overnight respite stay on NDIS short term accommodation: questions to ask the provider, what to agree in writing, and what to pack.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an STA provider, and what happens to your details.
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