If you or a loved one are an NDIS participant, there are some important changes to know about the NDIS guidelines on Short Term Accommodation (STA).

As of October 2025, the what used to be called Short Term Accommodation is now called Short Term Respite.

Short term respite, is funded by the NDIS to give you a much-needed break from home. Whether you're enjoying a short stay with others or some time to yourself, this support is available when your carers are unavailable.

This blog answers common questions for carers and family members about what short term respite is, who it is for and how to ask for it in your loved one's plan.

At A Glance

New name, same support: Short Term Respite is the new name for Short Term Accommodation (STA) funding. The change focuses on the support you receive rather than the accommodation, and reflects feedback from participants and carers.
Purpose: Short term respite gives participants time apart from their usual care while giving primary informal supports (family, friends or carers) a short break so they can continue in their caring role.
Who it's for: It's designed for participants who live with or receive daily drop‐in support from their primary informal supports.
Included vs excluded: Short term respite may include help with everyday activities and standard accommodation but does not cover holidays, activities, entertainment tickets or travel costs. You have control over how you use it, but it must come from your core budget and align with your plan.
No need to update your plan wording: If your plan still refers to Short Term Accommodation it means the same as Short Term Respite.

Need help? Reach out to our team to learn more on 1800 275 223 or on our contact page.

What has changed from Short Term Accommodation to Short Term Respite?

The NDIS has changed the name for Short Term Accommodation to Short Term Respite. This change was made after consulting participants, families and carers. Many people felt that the word 'respite' better reflects the value of informal supports like family, friends and unpaid carers and the importance of these relationships.

Instead of emphasising where you stay, the new term highlights the support you receive.
The goal remains the same: to give you time apart from your usual care arrangements.
The eligibility rules and funding are the same as before.

Example: Using Short Term Respite for one weekend a month

Sadiq is 22 years old and lives with his parents, Seema and Rahul, and 3 younger siblings.

He uses a wheelchair to move around. Seema and Rahul support Sadiq with his personal care and help him with tasks like cooking. It's difficult for Sadiq's parents to give him regular support, while also giving their other children the attention they need.

Sadiq chooses to use his funding for short term respite one weekend a month. Seema and Rahul get a break and spend more time with their younger children, while feeling confident that Sadiq's needs are met and that he's doing things he enjoys. This helps him work towards his goal of increasing his independence and being supported to keep doing things he wants to outside his home. It also helps Seema and Rahul sustain their informal support arrangement with Sadiq longer term.

Fictional example, Page 4 – Our Guidelines – Short Term Respite, 16 October 2025, ndis.gov.au

Does this change what my loved one can get under the NDIS?

No. The name change does not alter who can receive Short Term Respite or how much can be funded. Short Term Respite is available for participants who live with or receive daily drop‐in support from their primary informal supports. Those supports must provide disability‐related assistance for more than six hours a day.

If you do not live with family or already have high levels of paid support (for example, supported independent living or individualised living options), short term respite may not be funded.

The NDIS may also decline short term respite if you get more than 18 hours of paid support at home each day or if you are not having a break from your primary informal supports.

Most eligible participants receive funding for up to 28 days per year, usually in blocks of up to 14 days at a time.

Do we need to change our NDIS plan wording?

No. Plans created before the name change may still refer to Short Term Accommodation. The NDIS has clarified that Short Term Accommodation means the same as Short Term Respite. You do not need to ask for a plan amendment solely to update the wording. When you discuss supports in future reviews or meetings, you can use the new name, short term respite so everyone is on the same page.

If your circumstances have changed or you think your plan does not include the short term respite support you need, you can request a change to your plan. This is done by contacting your my NDIS contact, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or support coordinator and explaining the change in your situation.

What does short term respite include, and what does it not cover?

Short-term respite, helps you to achieve your goals whilst having time apart from your usual care arrangements.

According to the NDIS guidelines:

Supports and accommodation: Short term respite may include standard accommodation in a clean and comfortable place. If overnight support is needed, funding can also cover accommodation for a support worker.
Support in your own home: You can use short term respite at home.
Everyday assistance: Funding can cover help with everyday activities such as getting ready, cooking, eating, cleaning and other tasks your informal supports would normally do.

Short term respite does not fund:

Holidays or entertainment: You cannot use this support for holiday accommodation, cruises, tours or tickets to events.
Travel costs: Airfares and travel costs to attend an event or holiday are not covered.
Costs for unpaid carers: Accommodation or program fees for your primary informal supports are not funded.
Non‐NDIS activities: The NDIS will only fund your accommodation, personal care and the support you need to take part in activities. It will not pay for the activities themselves.

You have choice and control over where and how you use short term respite. You can take it in group or individual settings and usually within your home state or territory. If you live in a remote or border area, the NDIA may fund short term respite in a neighbouring state or territory. The support should be planned with your provider, including how often you need it and what level of support is required.

At BCD, our Respite, Short-term Accommodation and Supported Independent Living give families a much-needed break while helping live more independently and feel connected to a supportive community.

We're a registered NDIS provider for Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement, which covers both Supported Independent Living (SIL) and short term respite (previously Short Term Accommodation).

Need help? Reach out to our team to learn more on 1800 275 223 or on our contact page.

How do we ask for short term respite in a plan or review?

To include short term respite in an NDIS plan, you'll need to show that the support is reasonable and necessary. The NDIA will look at whether short term respite is related to your loved one's disability support needs.

Key considerations include:

Living arrangements and caring hours: The participant must live with or receive daily drop‐in support from their primary informal supports and receive disability‐related support for more than six hours a day.
Additional factors: The NDIA will consider factors such as whether the participant requires high‐intensity supports, has complex behaviours, lives in an area without alternate in‐home supports or if their carers' wellbeing is at risk (for example, if carers are ageing or have health issues).
Who it's not for: Short term respite will not be funded if the participant lives alone independently, receives more than 18 hours of paid support each day, is not actually having a break from their carers, or if the request relates to day‐to‐day living costs like rent or utilities.

Where can we find official information and support?

For the most up‐to‐date and detailed guidance, visit the NDIS website and read the short term respite guideline. The NDIS page for families and carers explains who can use short term respite, what it includes and how it should be used. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, speak with your my NDIS contact, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator.

FAQ

Learn More

Visit our FAQ page for more information on Short term respite and Supported Independent Living or explore our BCD accommodation options.

Need Help?

Our team is dedicated to understanding your accommodation needs and we're here to help. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about our accomodation options . Call the BCD team on 1800 275 223, or online through our contact page.

At BCD, our disability support services are all about helping individuals with disabilities achieve their goals, grow their independence, and enjoy a life full of possibilities.

Information correct as at 20 November 2025. Please refer to the NDIS website for the latest updates.

Sources:

- NDIS website: Short term accommodation is now called short term respite (news article, 20 October 2025).
https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10967-short-term-accommodation-now-called-short-term-respite

- NDIS Short term respite (families and carers page) https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/how-we-can-help-carers/short-term-respite

- NDIS Our Guidelines: Short term respite (PDF, 16 October 2025)

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.

NDIS Short Term Respite: understanding the name change and what it means for you