What Is NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA)? What It Means, What Changed, and How It Works Now

If you have been researching NDIS supports and come across the term STA, you are not alone. NDIS Short Term Accommodation is one of the most commonly searched support types, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA), now officially known as Short-Term Respite (STR), refers to short stays away from a participant's usual home, with support included. The name changed, but the support itself still exists. For more on how STA relates to respite, see Is STA the Same as Respite?. The support and is still widely used across the NDIS.

This guide explains what NDIS STA actually means, what it includes, who it may suit, how funding generally applies, and what families and coordinators should consider before arranging a stay.

What Does STA Stand For in the NDIS?

STA stands for Short Term Accommodation. Under the NDIS, STA refers to a funded support that allows participants to stay in accommodation away from their usual home for a short period, typically up to 14 days at a time. During that stay, the participant receives personal care, daily living support, meals, and access to activities - all as part of the arrangement.

NDIS Short Term Accommodation has been one of the most recognised terms across the disability support sector for years. While the NDIA officially updated the name in late 2025, the term NDIS STA remains how most participants, families, and coordinators still search for and refer to this support. Many NDIS plans, service agreements, and provider websites still reference STA, so understanding what it means is important regardless of the name change.

STA sits within the Core Supports budget in a participant's NDIS plan, under the Assistance with Daily Life category. It is not a separate line item in every case, so it is worth confirming with a support coordinator or plan manager how STA funding appears in the specific plan.

What Does NDIS Short Term Accommodation Include?

NDIS STA is funded as a bundled daily rate. That means the cost covers a package of supports and services for each day of the stay, rather than being billed item by item. Understanding what is included in that bundled rate helps families and coordinators assess whether a provider is delivering what the funding is intended to cover.

A typical NDIS Short Term Accommodation stay generally includes:

• Accommodation - a room in a suitable property, which may be a purpose-built facility, a shared house, or another appropriate setting

• Meals and household consumables - food, drinks, and basic supplies during the stay

• Personal care - assistance with showering, dressing, toileting, medication prompting, and other daily living tasks as required

• Support workers - trained staff available during the stay to deliver active support based on the participant's needs

• Activities and community access - planned activities during the stay that align with the participant's goals, which may include outings, social participation, or skill-building tasks

What STA does not typically include are specialist allied health sessions, large equipment purchases, or transport costs beyond what is part of the usual activity program. These may be funded separately through other parts of the participant's NDIS plan.

For a deeper look at compliance and provider obligations, see our NDIS STA guidelines guide. The key point is that NDIS Short Term Accommodation is not just a bed. It is a support-inclusive arrangement, and the quality of the support component matters as much as the physical setting.

Who Might Benefit From NDIS STA?

NDIS Short Term Accommodation can suit a range of circumstances. It is not limited to one age group or one type of disability. Situations where NDIS STA may be considered include:

• Carer sustainability - when informal carers need a break to maintain their own health and capacity to continue providing support. The participant benefits from continuity of care in a supported environment while the carer takes time to rest

• Skill building and independence goals - some participants use STA stays as an opportunity to practise daily living skills in a different environment, such as cooking, personal care routines, or navigating community settings

• Social participation - time spent in a group setting with peers and support workers can help build social confidence and connection

• Transition planning - for participants considering a move to Supported Independent Living (SIL) or other longer-term arrangements, a short stay can be a practical way to experience living away from home with support

• Changes in informal support - when a usual carer is unwell, travelling, or otherwise unavailable, STA provides a supported alternative for the participant during that period

• Routine disruption - during home renovations, family events, or other disruptions to the participant's usual environment, a planned STA stay can maintain stability

It may help to discuss with a support coordinator whether NDIS STA is a suitable option. If you are ready to start comparing options, our guide to finding and comparing NDIS STA providers covers what to look for based on the participant's current goals, support needs, and plan funding.

What to Consider Before Arranging NDIS STA

Planning an NDIS Short Term Accommodation stay involves more than choosing a date and a location. Several practical factors should be discussed and documented before the stay begins, both to protect the participant's wellbeing and to ensure the support meets NDIS requirements.

Support Ratios

Different participants need different levels of support. Some may require one-to-one staffing throughout the stay, while others may be comfortable in a shared support arrangement. Clarifying the support ratio with the provider before booking helps avoid gaps in care and ensures the provider can staff the stay appropriately.

Medication and Personal Care

If the participant takes regular medication, the provider needs to know the schedule, dosage, and any administration requirements. The same applies to personal care routines - assistance with showering, continence, mobility, and mealtime support should all be discussed in advance. Providers should be able to explain how they manage medication and personal care during NDIS STA stays.

Behaviour Support

Where a participant has a behaviour support plan, this should be shared with the provider before the stay. The provider's staff need to understand the strategies outlined in the plan, and the provider should confirm they have workers trained to implement those strategies safely.

Transport

Transport to, from, and during the STA stay should be clarified early. Some providers include transport for activities within the bundled rate, while others may not. If the participant requires accessible transport, this needs to be confirmed with the provider and may involve separate NDIS funding.

Communication

For participants who use communication aids, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, or who communicate in non-verbal ways, the provider needs clear guidance on how to support effective communication throughout the stay. This includes understanding the participant's preferences, familiar phrases, and how they express needs or distress.

Routines

Maintaining familiar routines can make a significant difference to how comfortable a participant feels during an NDIS STA stay. Sharing information about morning and evening routines, preferred foods, sensory preferences, sleep habits, and anything else that helps the participant feel settled is an important part of pre-stay planning.

How NDIS Funding Usually Applies

NDIS Short Term Accommodation is funded through the Core Supports budget in a participant's NDIS plan. Specifically, it falls under the Assistance with Daily Life support category, and providers claim against Registration Group 0115.

Costs are generally covered through NDIS plan funding where the support is included in the participant's plan. Whether a participant has STA funding depends on their individual plan, the goals outlined in that plan, and whether respite has been assessed as a reasonable and necessary support for their circumstances.

A few things to keep in mind about how NDIS STA funding works:

• STA is funded as a bundled daily rate - the rate covers accommodation, meals, personal care, support, and activities for each day of the stay. Providers should not charge separately for items already included in the bundled rate

• Plan-managed and self-managed participants may have more flexibility in choosing providers, but the funding rules and price limits still apply

• NDIA-managed participants must use registered providers for NDIS STA

• The number of days funded varies between participants. Some plans include a specific number of STA days per plan period, while others may have a broader Core budget that can be used flexibly

• Unspent Core funding may or may not roll over depending on current and proposed NDIS policy settings, so it is worth checking with a plan manager

It is important to understand that having NDIS STA in a plan does not guarantee unlimited access. Each stay should be connected to the participant's disability-related support needs and goals. Documentation from the provider showing how the stay was delivered and what outcomes it supported strengthens the case for continued funding at future plan reviews.

What Quality Support Looks Like

The quality of an NDIS Short Term Accommodation stay often comes down to how well the provider plans, communicates, and delivers support around the individual participant. Signs of quality NDIS STA include:

• Tailored pre-stay planning - the provider takes time to understand the participant's needs, preferences, routines, and goals before the stay begins, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach

• Qualified and consistent staff - support workers are trained, experienced with the participant's support requirements, and where possible, consistent across stays so the participant can build familiarity and trust

• Clear communication with families and coordinators - the provider keeps families and support coordinators informed before, during, and after the stay. This includes sharing updates, raising concerns early, and providing a summary of how the stay went

• Goal-aligned activities - activities during the stay are connected to the participant's NDIS plan goals, whether those relate to skill building, community participation, social connection, or maintaining wellbeing

• Documented care delivery - the provider maintains records of what support was delivered, staffing levels, any incidents, and how the stay aligned with the participant's plan

• Safe and respectful environment - the physical setting is appropriate for the participant's needs, and the overall approach respects the participant's dignity, preferences, and autonomy

If a provider cannot explain how they approach these areas, it is worth asking more questions before confirming a booking.

When It May Help to Speak With Visionary Respite and Care

If you are considering NDIS Short Term Accommodation for a participant and want to understand whether it may suit their goals and support needs, Visionary Respite and Care offers NDIS respite care services and can help you work through the planning questions.

The team can discuss:

• what a stay might look like based on the participant's individual needs

• how support is structured during NDIS STA stays

• what information is helpful to gather before arranging a booking

• how to coordinate with support coordinators and plan managers

Whether you are exploring NDIS STA for the first time or reviewing options for an upcoming stay, Visionary Respite and Care can talk through the next steps with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does STA stand for in the NDIS?

STA stands for Short Term Accommodation. It refers to short supported stays away from the participant's usual home, typically funded through the Core Supports budget in an NDIS plan. The stay includes accommodation, meals, personal care, support workers, and activities as part of a bundled daily rate.

What is NDIS STA called now?

The NDIA officially updated the name from NDIS Short Term Accommodation to the current term in late 2025. However, most participants, families, and coordinators still use NDIS STA when searching for and discussing this support. The core inclusions and funding structure remain the same under the updated name.

How many days of NDIS STA can a participant access?

The number of STA days available depends on the participant's individual NDIS plan. There is no single standard allocation. Some plans include a set number of days specifically for STA, while others provide a broader Core Supports budget that can be used flexibly. A support coordinator or plan manager can help clarify how many days are available in a specific plan.

Does NDIS STA cover all costs during the stay?

NDIS STA is funded as a bundled daily rate that covers accommodation, meals, personal care, support, and planned activities. Costs are generally covered through NDIS plan funding where the support is included in the participant's plan. However, some items - such as specialist therapies or certain transport costs - may not be included in the bundled rate and could require separate funding from other parts of the plan.

Can NDIS STA be used for skill building or transition planning?

Yes. Many participants use NDIS Short Term Accommodation stays as an opportunity to build daily living skills, practise independence in a supported environment, or experience living away from home before considering a longer-term arrangement such as Supported Independent Living. The key is that the stay should be connected to goals in the participant's NDIS plan.

Resources

• NDIS Short Term Accommodation - National Disability Insurance Agency

• NDIS STA Terminology Update - National Disability Insurance Agency

• Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 - National Disability Insurance Agency

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

• Department of Social Services - Disability and Carers - Australian Government Department of Social Services