NDIS Short-Term Respite (STR) in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Funding, Eligibility & Booking
- Visionary Respite
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Imagine your carer hasn't had a proper break in months. You've been meaning to book a short-term respite stay, but every time you look into it, you hit a wall — confusing terminology, conflicting advice online, and uncertainty about whether your NDIS plan actually covers it. Sound familiar?
You're not alone. With major NDIS reforms now fully bedded in and updated pricing arrangements effective since November 2025, many participants and families across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT are asking the same question: how does short-term respite actually work in 2026?
The answer is straightforward — and encouraging. Short-term respite (STR) remains one of the most valuable and accessible supports in the NDIS. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how STR works today, how to access your funding, what to expect during your stay, and how to make the most of every day in your plan.
What Is NDIS Short-Term Respite (STR)?
Short-term respite (STR) is an NDIS-funded support that provides participants with a temporary stay away from their usual home while also providing essential relief for informal caregivers — parents, partners, siblings, and family members who provide ongoing care.
But STR is far more than a "break." A well-planned respite stay delivers:
• Rest and recovery for both the participant and their carer, reducing burnout and sustaining long-term care relationships.
• Skill-building opportunities through structured daily living activities, cooking, personal care routines, and guided community outings.
• Social connection and confidence — participants build friendships, try new experiences, and practise independence in a safe, supported environment.
• Goal alignment — quality STR providers design each stay around your NDIS plan goals, ensuring every activity contributes to your capacity building.
STR includes at least one overnight stay and can range from a single weekend up to 14 consecutive days per booking.
What STR Funding Covers
Your STR funding covers a comprehensive package, not just a bed for the night:
• Personal care — support with daily routines, hygiene, mobility, and medication management.
• Accommodation — a safe, accessible, and comfortable stay in an NDIS-registered facility.
• Meals — nutritious, tailored meal plans throughout your stay.
• Activities — agreed-upon experiences aligned with your NDIS plan goals, from community access to skill development.
The NDIS generally provides up to 28 days of STR per year, used flexibly across the plan period. You can take a single longer stay, spread it across weekends, use it during school holidays, or save days for when your carer needs urgent relief.
How STR Funding Works in Your 2026 NDIS Plan
Understanding where STR sits within your plan is the single most important thing you can do to access it confidently. Here's how it works under the current NDIS framework.
STR Lives in Your Core Supports Budget
Short-term respite falls under the Core Supports budget category, specifically within "Assistance with Daily Life" (also called Daily Activities in plans using the NDIA's new computer system).
This is significant because Core Supports is the most flexible budget category in your NDIS plan. In most cases, you can move funding between the four Core support types:
Assistance with Daily Life (where STR sits)
Consumables
Assistance with Social & Community Participation
Transport
This means even if STR isn't specifically named as a line item in your plan, you can typically allocate your flexible Core funding toward a respite stay — a detail many participants don't realise.
You Don't Necessarily Need STR Listed in Your Plan
One of the most common misconceptions is that you need "short-term respite" or "STA" explicitly written into your plan to access it. That's not the case.
If your Core Supports budget has flexible funding (i.e., it's not listed as a "stated support"), you have the flexibility to direct those funds toward STR. Speak with your support coordinator or plan manager to confirm your allocation.
Important exception: If your Core Supports funding is listed as a stated support, it is locked to a specific purpose and cannot be redirected to STR. Check your plan carefully, or ask your local area coordinator (LAC) for clarification.
Understanding the 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements
The NDIA released updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 (v1.1), effective from 24 November 2025. These pricing arrangements set the maximum prices that registered providers can charge for STR and all other NDIS supports.
What this means for participants:
• Price limits protect you — registered providers cannot charge above the published maximum for STR.
• You can negotiate lower prices — the published rate is a ceiling, not a fixed cost. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you may negotiate with providers.
• Pricing is reviewed annually — the NDIA conducts an Annual Pricing Review each year, using market data, research, and industry engagement to set fair rates.
You can download the current pricing guide and support catalogue from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements page.
The STA to STR Terminology Change — What You Need to Know
If you've been searching for "Short-Term Accommodation" or "STA," you may have noticed the NDIS now uses Short-Term Respite (STR) as the preferred term.
Both terms refer to the same service. The shift reflects a broader emphasis on the respite and support components of the service, not just the accommodation. The NDIS recognises that a quality STR stay is about meaningful care, skill-building, and carer relief — not simply providing a place to sleep.
What this means for your plan: If your current plan still references STA, it remains valid. The funding category hasn't changed — only the terminology has been updated. You don't need a plan review or reassessment because of the name change.
How the 2024 NDIS Reforms Shaped Today's STR Landscape
In October 2024, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill came into effect — the most significant reform to the NDIS since its inception. While these changes affected the broader Scheme, they also brought clearer rules that benefit STR participants in 2026.
What Changed
• Clearer definitions of NDIS supports — the legislation now provides an explicit list of approved supports, removing ambiguity about what your funding can cover. STR is confirmed as an approved support under "Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement."
• Greater budget transparency — NDIS plans now display total budget amounts, detailed funding breakdowns, and funding periods, making it easier to see exactly what's available for STR.
• Stronger participant safeguards — improved complaints processes, enhanced provider accountability, and better oversight of service delivery give participants greater confidence in the care they receive.
• New budget structure — plans in the NDIA's new computer system now feature four budget categories (Core, Capacity Building, Capital, and the new Recurring category), providing a more granular view of your funding.
The bottom line: these reforms haven't reduced or restricted STR. They've made accessing and understanding your respite funding clearer than ever.
How to Maximise Your STR in 2026 — Practical Steps
Whether this is your first respite stay or your tenth, these strategies will help you get the most from your STR funding this year.
1. Check Your Core Supports Budget
Log into the myplace participant portal or the my NDIS mobile app to review your current Core Supports balance. Identify whether your funding is flexible or stated.
2. Book Early — Especially for Peak Periods
Popular STR dates — school holidays, long weekends, and the December–January period — book out quickly across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Planning 4–6 weeks in advance ensures you secure your preferred dates and property.
3. Align Your Stay with Plan Goals
A strong STR experience does more than provide respite — it advances your NDIS goals. When booking, discuss your plan objectives with your provider. Quality providers will tailor activities around your goals, whether that's building daily living skills, improving social participation, or increasing community access.
4. Know Your Plan Management Type
Your plan management type determines which providers you can access:
• Self-managed: Maximum flexibility — choose any provider (registered or unregistered) and negotiate rates directly.
• Plan-managed: Access both registered and unregistered providers through your plan manager. Your plan manager handles invoicing and claims.
• NDIA-managed: You must use NDIS-registered providers only. The NDIA pays providers directly on your behalf.
If managing your plan is challenging, the NDIA can now modify your plan management type to better support you — a change introduced under the 2024 reforms.
5. Document Everything
Keep records of your STR stays — activities completed, goals addressed, skills developed, and feedback from support workers. This evidence is invaluable during plan reassessments and demonstrates the value STR provides in your life.
6. Use Respite Strategically Throughout the Year
Rather than using all 28 days in one block, consider spreading your STR across the year to provide regular carer relief and consistent skill-building opportunities. Weekend stays every 6–8 weeks, combined with a longer stay during school holidays, is a popular approach among participants on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and across our service areas.
When to Contact a Professional STR Provider
Understanding your funding is empowering, but there are moments when professional support makes all the difference:
• You're booking STR for the first time and need help understanding the process, what to pack, and what to expect.
• Your carer needs urgent relief and you need to arrange a stay quickly — a responsive provider can fast-track your booking.
• Your plan review is approaching and you want to demonstrate how STR supports your goals with documented evidence.
• You're unsure about your funding — a registered provider can clarify whether your Core Supports budget covers the stay you want and provide a transparent quote.
• You want a personalised experience that includes tailored activities, community outings, skill development, and genuine engagement — not just a bed and meals.
If any of these resonate, contact our team or submit a booking enquiry to discuss your needs.
Your Trusted STR Partner — Visionary Respite and Care
At Visionary Respite and Care, we provide exceptional short-term respite experiences designed around what matters most to you — your goals, your comfort, and your independence.
Our team serves participants and families across Queensland (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast), Victoria (Melbourne, Geelong), New South Wales (Sydney, Newcastle), and the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra).
Every STR stay with us is tailored to your NDIS plan goals. From safe, accessible accommodations to engaging community activities, we focus on choice and control — giving you the freedom to explore new environments, build independence, and connect with others at your own pace.
Our experienced team stays across every NDIS update, from pricing changes to legislative reforms, so you don't have to. We handle the complexity — you enjoy the stay.
Ready to plan your next STR experience? Contact us today for a personalised quote within 24 hours, or submit a booking enquiry to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is short-term respite (STR) still funded under the NDIS in 2026?
Yes. STR remains a fully approved and funded NDIS support. It sits under the Core Supports budget category within "Assistance with Daily Life." The 2024 legislative reforms confirmed STR as an approved support, and no changes have been made to reduce or restrict it.
What's the difference between STA and STR?
They're the same service. The NDIS updated the terminology from Short-Term Accommodation (STA) to Short-Term Respite (STR) to better reflect the respite, care, and skill-building focus of the service. If your plan still says STA, it remains valid — no action needed.
How many days of STR can I access per year?
The NDIS generally funds up to 28 days of STR per plan year. You can use these flexibly — continuous stays of up to 14 days, weekends, school holiday periods, or as individual nights throughout the year.
Do I need STR specifically listed in my NDIS plan to access it?
Not necessarily. If your Core Supports budget includes flexible funding, you can direct it toward STR even if respite isn't explicitly listed. However, if your Core funding is marked as a "stated support," it's locked to a specific purpose. Check with your support coordinator or plan manager.
How much does STR cost under the NDIS?
STR pricing is regulated by the NDIA's Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (currently the 2025–26 v1.1, effective 24 November 2025). The published rates are maximum prices — you may negotiate lower rates, particularly if you're self-managed or plan-managed. Contact us for a transparent, personalised quote.
Can I use STR if I'm NDIA-managed?
Yes. If your plan is NDIA-managed, you can access STR through any NDIS-registered provider. Visionary Respite and Care is a registered NDIS provider — we can deliver STR under all plan management types.
How do I book STR with Visionary Respite and Care?
Simply submit a booking enquiry with your preferred dates and requirements, or call our team directly. We'll provide a personalised quote within 24 hours and guide you through every step.
