What Is Short Term Accommodation (STA) in the NDIS?
Short term accommodation (STA) is NDIS funding for a short stay away from your usual carers, usually for at least one night, while someone else supports you. It gives you and your family or carers time apart so they can keep caring for you. It covers the support you normally need and standard accommodation, generally up to 14 days at a time and 28 days a year.
What Is STA For?
Time apart that's good for both sides. The NDIA calls it "mutually rewarding time apart" from your primary informal supports: the family and friends who give you most of your unpaid, disability-related support.
While you're away, a provider gives you the support your family would normally give, like help to shower, cook, eat and get ready for the day. Your family or carers get a short break, which helps them keep caring for you over the long term.
It can also be a chance to try new things, meet new people and build independence. The NDIA's guideline gives examples of people using STA one weekend a month, or around a sporting event in the next town.
Where Can You Stay?
Anywhere "stationary" that suits the support you need: a respite house, a cottage or cabin, a hotel or motel, a short stay rental, a hostel or shared accommodation, a homestay with a host, or your own home.
| Setting | What the NDIS funds |
|---|---|
| Respite house or shared accommodation | Standard accommodation plus the support you need, often shared with a few other guests |
| Hotel, motel, cabin, cottage, hostel or short stay rental | Standard accommodation with no extra inclusions, plus your support |
| Homestay with a host | The support only, not the accommodation. Friends and family can't be paid hosts. |
| Your own home | The support only, if you usually need overnight support |
STA can't be used for a cruise or a tour, and it isn't for holidays. You'd generally use it in your home state or territory, unless you live somewhere remote or in a border town.
Looking for a Stay?
We'll connect you with a registered STA provider who may have a stay that suits.
How Many Days of STA Can You Get?
The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days a year, for up to 14 days at a time. You choose how to use them.
Some people book a block of a week or two. Others use a weekend each month. More than 28 days can be funded in exceptional circumstances. Our page on how many days of STA you can get goes through the detail.
Who Can Get STA?
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.
At least one extra factor has to apply too, such as needing high intensity or complex behaviour support, or a carer whose own health or age puts their caring role at risk. Children can get STA, but only in exceptional situations. Our page on who can get STA lists every test.
What Does a Stay Cost?
STA is paid from the Core budget of an NDIS plan, up to the maximum prices in the NDIS Pricing Schedule. You pay for your own meals, activities and usually transport.
Since 24 September 2026, providers claim the support in hourly items and the accommodation as a daily item, rather than one daily rate. Our page on STA rates explains the support items and links to the current schedule.
Is STA Now Called Short Term Respite?
Both names are in use. In October 2025 the NDIA announced it was renaming STA "short term respite". Its current participant page and guideline still say short term accommodation.
Most providers, plan managers and support coordinators use STA, respite and short term respite to mean the same NDIS support. On this site we use short term accommodation, or STA, because that's what the NDIA's guideline calls it.
Questions People Ask
What does STA stand for in the NDIS?
Short term accommodation. It's funding for a short stay away from your usual carers, with support, so you both get time apart. It's sometimes called short term respite or STA and assistance.
Is STA the same as respite?
In the NDIS, yes. STA is how the NDIS funds respite for participants. The NDIA announced in October 2025 that it would call it short term respite.
How long can you stay in NDIS respite?
Up to 14 days at a time, and generally up to 28 days a year. More can be funded in exceptional circumstances.
Does STA pay for meals?
No. Food is a day-to-day living cost. You pay for meals yourself, or bring your own. Funding for help to prepare or eat food can still be used during a stay.
Can I use STA if I live in SIL?
No. The NDIA won't fund STA for someone living in a supported independent living arrangement, or with funding for primary or supplementary individualised living options.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- What STA coversWhat NDIS short term accommodation pays for: support, standard accommodation and a worker's room.
- 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.
- 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 it worksHow we connect you with an STA provider, and what happens to your details.
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