Whether you need a break as a carer, want to try independent living, or need emergency accommodation, NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) might be the solution you're looking for. Understanding your options for temporary disability housing helps you make informed decisions about respite, supported holidays, or crisis accommodation. This comprehensive guide explains what NDIS short term accommodation is, who's eligible, how to access funding, and the different types of STA available to NDIS participants and their families.

While Paramount Disability Homes specialises in long-term Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), we believe in educating families about all NDIS accommodation options. This guide covers everything you need to know about short term accommodation and respite under the NDIS.

What is NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA)?

NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides temporary accommodation and support for NDIS participants for up to 14 days at a time. STA helps build independence skills, gives carers a break, or supports participants during emergencies or transitions. It's funded separately from long-term housing like SDA.

Short term accommodation is designed to meet specific needs that arise temporarily rather than permanently. When you access STA, you receive both accommodation and support services, which might include meals, personal care assistance, and supervised activities. The support level depends on your individual needs and what's included in your NDIS plan.

STA serves multiple purposes beyond just providing a place to stay. It can help you develop independent living skills in a supported environment before transitioning to permanent accommodation. It gives family carers essential respite when they need a break or have their own commitments. During emergencies, such as when your usual living arrangement becomes unavailable, STA provides crucial temporary housing with appropriate support.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides STA funding to eligible participants through their Core Supports budget. You can use STA multiple times throughout the year, as long as you have sufficient funding in your plan and each stay is typically limited to 14 consecutive days. This flexibility allows you to access respite when you need it most, whether that's planned breaks throughout the year or unexpected emergency situations.

Unlike long-term accommodation options, STA focuses on temporary needs. You return to your usual living arrangement after your stay. This makes it fundamentally different from Specialist Disability Accommodation, which provides permanent housing with specialist design features for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

Types of NDIS Short Term Accommodation

NDIS short term accommodation encompasses several different types of temporary housing and support, each designed to meet specific needs and circumstances.

Respite Care: When Carers Need a Break

Respite care is the most common type of NDIS short term accommodation. It provides temporary accommodation and support when your usual carer needs a break or is unavailable. This might be planned respite, where your carer takes a holiday or attends to personal commitments, or emergency respite when illness or unexpected circumstances arise.

During respite stays, you receive accommodation in a suitable facility along with the support you need for daily activities. This ensures your needs are met while your carer takes essential time to rest and recharge. Research consistently shows that regular respite reduces carer burnout and supports sustainable long-term care arrangements.

Supported Holidays: Independence and Recreation

NDIS respite care can also take the form of supported holidays. This type of short term accommodation lets you take a holiday with appropriate support in place. You might stay at a holiday destination with disability-friendly facilities, participate in recreational activities, and enjoy a change of scenery while receiving the assistance you need.

Supported holidays help you build social connections, try new experiences, and develop independence in different environments. They provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and community participation beyond your usual routine.

Crisis and Emergency Accommodation

Crisis or emergency accommodation provides urgent temporary housing when your usual living situation becomes unavailable unexpectedly. This might occur due to natural disasters, sudden changes in carer availability, or urgent property maintenance issues that make your home temporarily uninhabitable.

Emergency STA ensures you have safe, appropriate accommodation with necessary supports during unexpected situations. Your support coordinator can help arrange crisis accommodation quickly when urgent needs arise.

Transition Support Between Living Arrangements

Short term accommodation can support transitions between different living situations. If you're moving from the family home to your own SDA property, a brief STA stay can help you adjust to living more independently in a supportive environment. It provides a bridge between your current situation and your long-term accommodation plans.

This transitional use of STA helps you develop skills and confidence before permanent moves, making significant life changes less overwhelming and more successful.

NDIS Respite vs Short Term Accommodation: What's the Difference?

Many people use the terms "respite" and "short term accommodation" interchangeably, but understanding the distinction helps you navigate NDIS funding and services more effectively.

"Respite" is a broader term describing any temporary break from usual care arrangements. It encompasses various forms of temporary support, including in-home respite, community access, and short term accommodation. Respite focuses on the purpose: giving carers a break while ensuring participants receive appropriate support.

Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a specific NDIS funding category within your plan. It refers to overnight accommodation with support included. STA appears as a distinct support category and has specific funding rules and usage guidelines. When NDIS professionals discuss STA, they're referring to the formal funding line item that pays for temporary accommodation and associated supports.

Think of it this way: all STA provides respite, but not all respite involves short term accommodation. You might receive respite through increased in-home support hours or community activities, without needing overnight accommodation. However, when you need temporary overnight accommodation with support, that's specifically funded through the STA category in your NDIS plan.

The terminology matters when discussing your needs with planners and support coordinators. If you request "respite," they'll help you identify which type best meets your needs. If you specifically need overnight accommodation, you'll request STA funding to be included in your plan. Understanding this distinction ensures you request the right supports and funding during your NDIS planning meetings.

Who is Eligible for NDIS Short Term Accommodation?

Eligibility for NDIS short term accommodation starts with being an NDIS participant with an approved plan. However, STA funding isn't automatically included in every NDIS plan. You need to demonstrate that short term accommodation is reasonable and necessary to meet your disability support needs.

STA must be included specifically in your NDIS plan for you to access this support. During your planning meeting or plan review, you'll need to explain why you require short term accommodation and how it supports your goals and wellbeing. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assesses each request individually based on your circumstances.

Common scenarios where STA funding may be approved include situations where your carer needs regular breaks to sustain their caring role. Evidence from your carer about their needs and capacity can support this request. If you're working towards living independently and would benefit from practicing independent living skills in a supported environment, STA can provide valuable transition support.

Emergency or crisis situations may also warrant STA funding. If your current living arrangement is sometimes unavailable due to circumstances beyond your control, having STA funding in your plan ensures you have somewhere safe to stay when needed. Similarly, if you're transitioning between permanent living arrangements, short stays can ease the adjustment process.

Working with your support coordinator helps you assess whether STA is right for you and how to present your case during planning meetings. They can help gather evidence, such as occupational therapy reports, carer statements, or medical documentation that supports your STA request.

Your support needs during STA stays are also assessed. The level of support included in your STA funding depends on your individual requirements. Some participants need minimal assistance while others require 24-hour support. The NDIA considers what supports you need during temporary accommodation stays when determining your STA funding allocation.

How to Get STA Funding in Your NDIS Plan

Accessing NDIS short term accommodation funding requires planning and preparation. STA funding is requested during your initial NDIS planning meeting or at subsequent plan reviews. Understanding how to approach this conversation helps you secure appropriate funding for your short term accommodation needs.

Start by identifying why you need STA. Be specific about the circumstances that require temporary accommodation and support. If it's for carer respite, explain your carer's situation and why regular breaks are necessary. If you're building independence skills before a permanent move, articulate how STA will help you develop capabilities and confidence. The clearer your explanation, the stronger your case for STA funding.

Gather supporting evidence before your planning meeting. This might include a letter from your carer explaining their support role and need for respite, occupational therapy recommendations about transitional accommodation before moving to permanent SDA, or medical documentation supporting your need for temporary accommodation during specific circumstances. Evidence from health professionals carries significant weight in NDIS funding decisions.

During your planning conversation, explain how STA aligns with your NDIS goals. Understanding your NDIS plan structure helps you frame your STA request within the broader context of your support needs and objectives. Connect your STA request to goals like maintaining family relationships, building independence, or managing your health and wellbeing.

STA funding typically comes from your Core Supports budget. The amount varies considerably depending on your assessed support needs during accommodation stays, the frequency you're likely to need STA, and the typical costs of suitable accommodation in your area. Some participants receive funding for occasional short stays, while others may have allocation for regular respite throughout the year.

Be prepared to discuss how often you'll likely use STA. If you need quarterly respite breaks, explain this pattern. If you need emergency accommodation available but might not use it every year, clarify that too. The NDIA wants to understand your anticipated usage to provide appropriate funding levels.

Your support coordinator or planner plays a valuable role in this process. They can help you articulate your needs, gather appropriate evidence, and present your case effectively during planning meetings. They understand NDIS terminology and assessment criteria, which helps frame your request in ways planners recognise and approve.

Remember that eligibility and funding decisions are made by the NDIA, not service providers. While we provide information to help you understand the process, speak with your support coordinator or planner for advice specific to your situation. This is general information only and does not constitute personalised advice.

What to Expect During a Short Term Accommodation Stay

Understanding what happens during an STA stay helps you prepare and feel comfortable with temporary accommodation arrangements. Short term accommodation settings vary depending on the provider and your specific needs, but certain elements are common across most STA experiences.

Accommodation settings include purpose-built STA facilities with multiple participants sharing common spaces but having private bedrooms, individual self-contained apartments with visiting support staff, small group homes offering shared living with continuous support, or modified homes designed for specific disability support needs. The setting depends on your support requirements and what's available in your area.

Support provided during your stay typically covers your assessed needs. This might include personal care assistance with showering, dressing, and medication management, meal preparation and dining support, social activities and community access, assistance with daily living tasks, and supervision appropriate to your support needs. The specific supports depend on what's included in your STA funding and your individual requirements.

Accessibility features in STA properties vary but should match your mobility and access needs. Most facilities offer wheelchair accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers or transfer assistance, level access entry and pathways throughout the property, appropriate bedroom setup including accessible beds or specialist equipment, and emergency call systems for requesting assistance when needed.

What you need to bring versus what's provided depends on the specific facility. Generally, properties provide furniture, bedding, and basic amenities, kitchen facilities and cooking equipment, common living spaces, and bathroom facilities. You typically bring personal clothing and toiletries, any specialist equipment specific to your needs, medications and medical supplies, and personal items for comfort and entertainment.

Daily routines during STA stays are usually flexible and based on participant preferences. While there may be scheduled mealtimes or activity options, you generally have choice and control over how you spend your time. Support staff facilitate your preferences rather than imposing rigid schedules. This flexibility respects your independence while ensuring appropriate support is available when you need it.

The duration of stays is typically between 1 and 14 days, though most respite stays are shorter. You can use STA multiple times throughout the year as long as you have sufficient funding in your plan. Booking requires contacting approved STA providers to check availability, discussing your support needs and preferences, confirming dates and any specific requirements, and arranging payment through your NDIS plan management.

Short Term Accommodation vs SDA: Understanding the Difference

Understanding the distinction between Short Term Accommodation (STA) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) helps you navigate your housing options under the NDIS. While both provide accommodation for people with disability, they serve fundamentally different purposes and have distinct eligibility criteria.

STA provides temporary accommodation for short periods, typically up to 14 days at a time. You can access multiple stays throughout the year, but each is time-limited. STA serves immediate, temporary needs like carer respite, supported holidays, emergency accommodation, or transitional support. You return to your usual living arrangement after each stay. STA funding comes from your Core Supports budget and the focus is on providing accommodation plus supports during the stay.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is permanent, long-term housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA properties have specialist design features built into the dwelling itself, such as wheelchair accessibility throughout, ceiling hoists and tracking systems in High Physical Support homes, or reinforced structures in Robust category properties. You live in SDA as your home, not as a temporary arrangement.

The funding structures differ significantly. SDA funding is a separate payment in your NDIS plan specifically for the specialist housing itself. It pays for the additional costs of purpose-built accessible housing with specialist features. Your SDA funding typically goes directly to the SDA provider. In contrast, STA funding covers both the temporary accommodation and the supports during your stay, coming from your Core Supports budget allocation.

Eligibility criteria are also quite different. STA eligibility focuses on your need for temporary accommodation and support for specific purposes like respite or transitions. SDA eligibility requires demonstrating that you need housing with specialist design features due to extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA eligibility requirements are more stringent because SDA represents significant long-term investment in specialist housing.

Can you have both STA and SDA funding? Yes, absolutely. If you live in SDA as your permanent home, you can still access STA for respite breaks or supported holidays. Living in long-term specialist housing doesn't prevent you from using temporary accommodation when needed. Your SDA is your home; STA provides accommodation when you're away from home temporarily.

Some participants use STA as a stepping stone to SDA. Short stays in supported accommodation let you experience more independent living before committing to a permanent move. You can build skills and confidence during STA stays while working towards SDA eligibility and placement. This transitional use of short term accommodation helps inform your long-term housing decisions.

Understanding both options empowers you to make informed choices about your accommodation needs. Learning about the differences between SDA and other supports helps you identify which type of housing best meets your current and future needs.

Finding NDIS Short Term Accommodation Providers

Locating suitable NDIS short term accommodation providers requires research and often assistance from your support team. Unlike some NDIS services, there's no centralised vacancy listing for STA properties, which means you'll need to contact providers directly to enquire about availability.

Start your search using the NDIS provider finder on the NDIS website. This tool lets you search for registered STA providers in your area. Filter by location to find providers near you or in areas where you'd like to stay. The provider finder shows contact details for registered providers, but doesn't indicate current availability. You'll need to contact providers directly to ask about vacancies.

Your support coordinator can be invaluable in finding suitable STA options. They often have established relationships with local providers, knowledge of which facilities meet specific accessibility requirements, information about typical availability and booking timeframes, and experience matching participants with appropriate providers. They can make initial enquiries on your behalf and shortlist suitable options.

When contacting STA providers, ask about location and accessibility features, available dates for your preferred timeframe, what supports are included in their standard service, specific accessibility features and equipment, costs and how they bill through NDIS plan management, whether you can visit the facility before booking, and their policies around activities, meals, and daily routines.

Book well in advance, especially for planned respite during school holidays or popular vacation periods. Many STA providers fill up quickly during peak times. If you need regular respite, some providers may offer recurring bookings. For emergency accommodation, discuss with your support coordinator how to access crisis STA quickly when urgent needs arise.

Melbourne-specific considerations include transport accessibility to your preferred locations, proximity to family members if staying connected is important, availability of culturally appropriate supports if you have CALD background, and regional variations in STA availability between inner suburbs and growth areas.

Touring facilities before booking helps you feel comfortable with the accommodation. Many providers welcome pre-booking visits so you can see the property, meet staff members, ask detailed questions about their approach and routines, and assess whether the environment suits your preferences and needs.

It's important to note that Paramount Disability Homes provides SDA, not STA. We specialise in long-term Specialist Disability Accommodation rather than short-term respite services. For STA providers in your area, use the NDIS provider finder or speak with your support coordinator. They can direct you to appropriate short term accommodation options for your needs.

Short Term and Long Term NDIS Housing Solutions

Understanding your NDIS accommodation options empowers better decisions about both immediate and long-term housing needs. Short Term Accommodation serves valuable purposes, from providing essential carer respite to supporting transitions between living arrangements. Knowing that STA is available when you need temporary accommodation with appropriate supports gives both participants and families important flexibility.

The key differences between STA and SDA reflect their distinct purposes. Short term accommodation addresses temporary needs, while Specialist Disability Accommodation provides permanent housing with specialist design features. Both play important roles in the NDIS accommodation landscape, and many participants benefit from accessing both at different times or for different purposes.

Accessing NDIS short term accommodation requires having STA funding included in your NDIS plan. Work with your support coordinator to assess whether STA meets your needs and gather appropriate evidence for your planning meeting. The NDIA makes all funding decisions based on what's reasonable and necessary for your individual circumstances.

STA serves multiple purposes beyond just accommodation. Whether you need respite care so your carer can recharge, supported holidays to build independence and try new experiences, emergency accommodation during unexpected situations, or transition support between permanent living arrangements, short term accommodation provides crucial temporary housing with appropriate supports.

While Paramount Disability Homes specialises in long-term SDA housing, we believe in educating families about all NDIS accommodation options. Whether you're exploring short-term respite today or ready for permanent specialist housing tomorrow, understanding your choices helps you make informed decisions that best support your independence, wellbeing, and goals.

If you're considering long-term housing options, explore SDA homes across Melbourne to see how specialist accommodation can support your independence with proximity to family and community. Our family-first approach prioritises locations that keep you connected to the people and places that matter most.

For questions about NDIS accommodation options, contact your support coordinator for advice specific to your situation. They can help you navigate both short-term and long-term housing choices under the NDIS. For enquiries about Paramount's SDA properties, contact us on (03) 9999 7418 or email admin@paramounthomes.com.au.

Understanding NDIS short term accommodation is just one part of navigating disability housing options. Whether you need temporary respite or permanent specialist housing, knowing what's available helps you make choices that support your lifestyle, independence, and connection to family and community.