STA vs MTA vs SIL: What's the Difference?
Short term accommodation (STA) is a short stay, up to 14 days at a time, so you and your carers get a break. Medium term accommodation (MTA) is somewhere to live for up to 90 days while your long-term home isn't ready. Supported independent living (SIL) is support workers in your home every day, 24 hours a day. They answer different needs, and you can't use STA while living in SIL.
How Do STA, MTA and SIL Compare?
Side by side, from the NDIA's guidelines and pages.
| STA | MTA | SIL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Time apart from family or carers, so they can keep caring | Somewhere to live while your long-term home isn't ready | Help or supervision at home, 24 hours a day |
| How long | Up to 14 days at a time, generally 28 days a year | Generally up to 90 days, usually once | Ongoing |
| What it pays for | Support plus standard accommodation | The accommodation only | Support workers only, not the home |
| Who it suits | People who live with, or get daily drop-in support from, family or carers | People waiting on SDA, SIL, home modifications, or leaving hospital or the justice system | People who need a worker with them 24 hours a day, including overnight |
| Emergency housing? | No | No | No |
When Does MTA Make More Sense Than STA?
When the reason you need to be somewhere else is that your home isn't ready, not that your carers need a break.
The NDIA won't fund STA while you wait for home modifications to be finished, and suggests MTA instead. MTA can also help you leave hospital sooner if you're eligible for SDA, SIL, individualised living options or home modifications, even without a confirmed long-term home. You must have a home to move into, and MTA doesn't include food, bills or personal care.
Looking for a Stay?
We'll connect you with a registered STA provider who may have a stay that suits.
Can You Have STA and SIL?
Not at the same time. The NDIA won't fund STA for someone living in a SIL arrangement.
SIL already gives you paid support in your home every day, so there's no family carer to give a break to. The same goes for people with primary or supplementary individualised living options funding, and for anyone getting more than 18 hours of paid support at home each day.
Can STA Help You Try Living Away From Home?
It can help you try new things and build independence, but it isn't a trial of a long-term home.
The NDIA's guideline says STA can support you while you try a new activity or meet new people, outside your usual support arrangements. If you're thinking about moving out for good, talk to your support coordinator or my NDIS contact about home and living supports. The NDIA's guide to home and living options covers them all.
Questions People Ask
What is the difference between STA and MTA?
STA is a short break of up to 14 days at a time so you and your carers get time apart. MTA is somewhere to live for up to 90 days while you wait for your long-term home to be ready.
Is MTA respite?
No. MTA is accommodation while your long-term home isn't ready. It isn't short term or emergency accommodation.
Can I use STA while waiting for home modifications?
No. The NDIA won't fund STA for that. Medium term accommodation may be funded instead.
Can someone in SIL get respite?
The NDIA won't fund STA for someone living in a SIL arrangement, because they already get paid support at home every day.
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.
- 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 many days of STA?The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days of short term accommodation a year, 14 days at a time.
- Emergency respiteWhat to do when a carer suddenly can't continue: Carer Gateway emergency respite on 1800 422 737, using NDIS short term accommodation, and plan changes.
- NDIS respite accommodationNDIS respite accommodation explained: respite houses, cottages, group stays and host stays, who can get it, what's funded and how to find a registered provider.
- How it worksHow we connect you with an STA provider, and what happens to your details.
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