NDIS STA vs MTA: What's the Difference Between Short Term and Medium Term Accommodation?
STA and MTA are two of the NDIS's most commonly confused accommodation-related supports, partly because both involve a temporary stay away from a participant's usual home. The key difference is timeframe and purpose. This guide from Visionary Respite and Care explains how each works, who they may suit, and how they connect to funding.
What Is NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
Short Term Accommodation (STA) funds a short, planned stay away from home, combined with disability support. Stays are typically a few nights up to around two weeks, and are often used for a planned break, a chance to build independence, or support during a family or carer's time away.
STA is not intended as a housing solution. It is a temporary, supported stay that participants return home from once it ends. Our complete guide to NDIS STA covers how it works in more depth.
What Is NDIS Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) funds temporary accommodation for a longer period, generally used when a participant needs somewhere to live while waiting for their long-term or permanent housing to become available. This might apply, for example, after a hospital discharge, when a participant's current home is unsuitable, or while waiting for a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property or Supported Independent Living arrangement to be ready.
MTA is intended as a bridge between two housing situations, not a short break, and is typically funded for a period of weeks to a few months, depending on individual circumstances.
STA vs MTA: The Key Differences
| STA | MTA |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | A short, planned break or supported stay | A temporary housing bridge while waiting for long-term accommodation |
Typical length | A few nights to around two weeks | Generally weeks to a few months |
Participant returns home? | Yes, the stay is temporary and the participant returns to their usual home | No, MTA is used when the participant's usual home is not currently available or suitable |
Support included? | Yes, disability support is included alongside accommodation | Yes, though support levels depend on individual needs |
Common use case | Carer break, trial of independence, community participation | Bridging period after hospital discharge or before SDA becomes available |
Who Might STA Suit?
STA tends to suit participants who:
want or need a short, planned break with support included
are building independence and want a supported trial away from home
have a carer or family member who needs planned time away
want to try a new environment for social or community participation reasons
Who Might MTA Suit?
MTA tends to suit participants who:
are being discharged from hospital but their usual home is not yet ready or suitable
are waiting for a long-term housing solution, such as an SDA property, to become available
have had a significant change in circumstances that means their current home cannot meet their needs for a period of time
How NDIS Funding Usually Applies
Costs are generally covered through NDIS plan funding where the support is included in the participant's plan. Whether STA or MTA is the right funded support depends on the participant's specific circumstances, goals, and current living situation, and this is a decision best made with a support coordinator or the NDIA, not something a family should need to work out alone.
Both supports are assessed individually, and funding for MTA in particular is generally linked to a documented housing transition, rather than approved as a standalone request.
What Good Planning Looks Like
Whether a participant needs STA or MTA, good planning generally includes:
clear documentation of why the support is needed and what it is bridging toward
involvement from a support coordinator to help navigate the request and paperwork
realistic timeframes discussed openly with the participant and family
a plan for what happens at the end of the stay, particularly for MTA
When It May Help to Speak With Visionary Respite and Care
If you are trying to work out whether STA or another type of support may suit the participant's current situation, Visionary Respite and Care can help you talk through the options and what to raise with a support coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a participant use STA and MTA at different times?
Yes. They serve different purposes, so a participant could use STA for a planned break at one point and MTA later if they need temporary housing during a transition, depending on their plan and circumstances.
Is MTA the same as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
No. MTA is temporary, bridging accommodation, while SDA funds long-term, purpose-built specialist housing. MTA is sometimes used while a participant waits for an SDA property to become available.
Who decides whether a participant needs MTA?
This is generally assessed by the NDIA based on the participant's circumstances and supporting documentation, often with input from a support coordinator or hospital discharge team.
Does STA funding run out if a participant also needs MTA?
STA and MTA are separate funded supports, so using one does not automatically use funding allocated to the other. A support coordinator or plan manager can confirm how a specific plan is structured.
How do I request MTA for a participant?
MTA is typically requested through the NDIA, supported by documentation explaining the housing transition and why temporary accommodation is needed. A support coordinator can help prepare and submit this.
Resources
NDIS Short Term Accommodation — National Disability Insurance Agency
Medium Term Accommodation — National Disability Insurance Agency
Specialist Disability Accommodation — National Disability Insurance Agency
NDIS Quality Standards — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
