How NDIS Short Term Accommodation Funding Works
Short term accommodation (STA) is funded as flexible funding in the Core budget of an NDIS plan. The NDIA works out the amount from the support you usually need and the NDIS Pricing Schedule, generally enough for up to 28 days a year. You choose how and when to use it, but it has to last the whole plan, and the provider is paid from it after each stay.
Which Budget Is STA In?
The Core budget, as flexible funding.
Core supports funding is flexible: you can use it across the support categories in that budget, as long as you buy NDIS supports that are in line with your plan. That means you could, for example, use some STA funding for support to go to a weekly social group while your carer has a break.
How Does the NDIA Decide How Much to Fund?
It funds STA at the level of support you usually need, so you can keep doing the things you normally do.
- The hours of support you get each day from family, friends and community supports
- The hours of paid or mainstream support you get, and whether there are breaks like school holidays
- The usual level of care from other paid supports, and whether you'll be far from your regular worker
- Whether you need more support at some times of day, like 2 people to help you out of bed
- Whether you usually share support with other people, and how many people you can safely share with
The NDIA also checks it isn't funding two similar supports at the same time, and adjusts your other supports if needed. The law says it can't fund a support that duplicates one you already get.
Looking for a Stay?
We'll connect you with a registered STA provider who may have a stay that suits.
How Do You Use STA Funding?
You agree the stay and the support with a provider, and they claim from your plan.
| Plan management | Providers you can use | Price limits apply? |
|---|---|---|
| NDIA-managed | Registered providers only | Yes |
| Plan-managed | Registered and unregistered providers | Yes |
| Self-managed | Registered and unregistered providers | No, you can negotiate prices |
Talk with the provider about the support you need, so they can deliver it within the STA budget in your plan. A written service agreement is a good idea. It sets out the support, the cost and what happens if something goes wrong.
What If the Funding Runs Out Early?
You can use it faster than planned, but then it may not last the plan. If your needs have changed, ask for a plan change.
If you choose more support than you need on each stay, the budget will run down faster. If your situation has changed, or the plan doesn't have the STA you now need, you can ask the NDIA to change your plan at any time.
What Can't STA Funding Pay For?
Holidays, food, activities and anything that's a day-to-day living cost.
That includes holiday packages, cruises, airfares, meals, tickets and entry fees, and accommodation for family members. Our page on what STA covers lists what's in and out.
Questions People Ask
Is STA in Core or Capacity Building?
Core. STA is included as flexible funding in the Core budget of an NDIS plan.
Can I use other Core funding for respite?
Core funding is flexible, so you can use it for other NDIS supports in line with your plan, like a support worker at home or in the community when your carers can't support you.
Do I need to keep receipts?
If you self-manage, yes: you pay providers and claim from your plan, so keep invoices. If your plan is NDIA-managed or plan-managed, the provider or plan manager handles claims.
Can my STA funding be used interstate?
Generally it's expected to be used in your home state or territory. If you live somewhere remote or in a border town, the NDIA may fund STA in a neighbouring state.
Keep Reading
- STA rates and price limitsNDIS short term accommodation rates for 2026-27: the support items, the daily accommodation item, sleepovers, high intensity and who the limits apply to.
- How many days of STA?The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days of short term accommodation a year, 14 days at a time.
- What STA coversWhat NDIS short term accommodation pays for: support, standard accommodation and a worker's room.
- Getting STA in your planHow to ask the NDIA for short term accommodation (STA): who to talk to, the evidence that helps, how the amount is decided and what to do if the answer is no.
- 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.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an STA provider, and what happens to your details.
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