Respite Houses and Finding an STA Vacancy

What Is a Respite House?

An ordinary house set up for short stays, with support. The NDIA calls these respite accommodation or shared accommodation.

Under STA the accommodation has to be standard: clean and comfortable, with a bed, a bathroom and the accessibility features the guest needs. Ask whether a house takes children or adults, and which support needs its team can manage. Where several guests stay at once, support can be shared if that suits the person.

What Should You Have Ready When You Ask About a Vacancy?

The details a provider needs to tell you quickly whether they can help.

• The person's age, and whether STA is in the NDIS plan
• How the plan is managed: NDIA-managed, plan-managed or self-managed
• The dates or pattern you're after, like a weekend a month or a week in January
• The support they usually need, day and night, and whether it's shared or one-to-one
• Any high intensity supports, like PEG feeding or catheter care
• Any behaviour support plan, and what helps on a hard day
• Mobility and equipment, like a hoist, a shower chair or a wheelchair accessible room
• How they communicate, and anything they love or can't stand

Where Do You Find Respite House Vacancies?

We're not aware of a national list of STA vacancies. Contact providers directly, ask your support coordinator, or use a matching service like this one.

Ask your support coordinator or plan manager who they've worked with. Check any provider you're considering on the NDIS Commission's provider register. Or answer a few questions here and we'll pass what you need to a registered provider who may have room, one provider at a time.

Should You Visit Before the First Stay?

If you can, yes. Seeing the house and meeting the team makes a first stay easier for everyone.

You could start with a short stay, like one night, and build up. Our guide to planning a first stay has questions to ask on a visit and a packing list.

What If You Need a Stay Urgently?

Tell the provider it's urgent and why. If a carer suddenly can't continue, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 at any time about emergency respite.

STA isn't crisis or emergency housing. If someone is homeless or needs somewhere to live, contact your state or territory's homelessness services. Our emergency respite guide explains the options.