NDIS Respite Accommodation
NDIS respite accommodation is a short stay away from home, funded as short term accommodation (STA), so a participant and their family or carers get a break from each other. Stays are usually in a respite house, cottage, cabin, hotel or a host's home, with support workers on hand. The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days a year, 14 at a time.
What Does NDIS Respite Accommodation Look Like?
Most often, a house run by a registered provider where a few guests stay at once, each with their own room, and support workers are there day and night as needed.
- Respite houses and cottages: ordinary homes set up for short stays, often with accessible bathrooms and hoists
- Group stays and camps: a few days away with other people, in cabins or a lodge, with support
- Host or homestay arrangements: staying in a host's home, with the host giving the support
- Hotels, motels and short stay rentals: you book a standard room and your support workers come with you
The NDIA only funds standard accommodation with no extras: clean and comfortable, with a bed, a bathroom and the accessibility features you need. It also funds the support you'd normally get at home, at the level you usually need it.
Who Is NDIS Respite For?
NDIS participants who live with their family or carers, or get daily drop-in support from them, and get more than 6 hours a day of disability-related support from them.
The NDIA also looks for at least one extra factor, such as high intensity support needs, complex behaviour support, a carer who is ageing or unwell, a carer with other caring responsibilities, or living somewhere in-home supports are hard to get. Children can get it in exceptional situations. Our page on who can get STA has the full list.
Looking for a Stay?
We'll connect you with a registered STA provider who may have a stay that suits.
What Does It Cost?
The support and the accommodation are paid from the Core budget in the NDIS plan, up to the NDIS maximum prices. Guests pay for their own meals and activities.
| Cost | Paid by |
|---|---|
| Support workers during the stay | NDIS plan (Core budget, STA) |
| Standard accommodation | NDIS plan (Core budget, STA) |
| A support worker's room, if they have to stay with you | NDIS plan, where it's needed |
| Meals and food | The guest |
| Activities, tickets and entry fees | The guest |
| Getting there | The guest, or transport funding in the plan |
Providers can't charge NDIA-managed or plan-managed participants more than the maximum prices. Our page on STA rates explains the support items.
How Do You Find NDIS Respite Accommodation?
Look for a registered provider with a house or stay that suits the person's age, support needs and location, and has room on the dates you need.
A support coordinator can help you look. You can check a provider's registration on the NDIS Commission's provider register. Or tell us what's needed and we'll pass it to a registered provider who may have a stay that suits, one at a time. Our guide to respite houses and vacancies covers what to ask.
What Isn't Covered?
Holidays, and anything that's a day-to-day living cost.
- Holiday packages, cruises, tours, airfares and holiday accommodation
- Food and meals, including meal kits and restaurant meals
- Activities, entry fees and memberships, for you, your workers or your family
- Accommodation for family members
- Crisis or emergency housing
Questions People Ask
Does the NDIS pay for respite?
Yes, for eligible participants, as short term accommodation (STA) in the Core budget. It pays for the support and standard accommodation during the stay.
How many respite days does the NDIS give?
Generally up to 28 days a year, for up to 14 days at a time. More can be funded in exceptional circumstances.
Is NDIS respite the same as short term accommodation?
Yes. NDIS respite accommodation is funded as short term accommodation. In October 2025 the NDIA said it would call it short term respite.
Can carers stay with the participant during respite?
The point of STA is time apart, so the NDIS doesn't fund accommodation for family members. It can fund a support worker's room if they need to stay with you.
Do I need a registered provider?
It depends on how your plan is managed. NDIA-managed participants must use registered providers. We only pass enquiries to registered providers.
Keep Reading
- What is STA?What NDIS short term accommodation (STA) is, who it's for, what a stay includes, how many days you can get, and why it's also called short term respite.
- Respite houses and vacanciesWhat an NDIS respite house is, who stays there, how STA vacancies work, what to have ready when you ask, and how to find a registered respite house provider.
- 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.
- What STA coversWhat NDIS short term accommodation pays for: support, standard accommodation and a worker's room.
- STA providersWhat NDIS short term accommodation and respite providers do, the rules they follow, how to check registration, and what to ask before you book a first stay.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an STA provider, and what happens to your details.
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