Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides eligible NDIS participants with disability-related support while their usual informal carers take a short break from caring responsibilities.
For participants and families, choosing STA involves more than finding somewhere to stay. It means understanding the support available, checking that the arrangements meet individual needs and knowing how funding can be used.
This guide explains what NDIS Short Term Accommodation involves and what to consider when organising a stay.
What Is NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
Short Term Accommodation is an NDIS support that gives participants time apart from their usual care arrangements while continuing to receive the disability-related assistance they need.
It helps family members and informal carers take a short break so they can continue providing support over time.
Depending on individual circumstances and approved arrangements, STA may involve:
Overnight stays.
Weekend stays.
Planned short stays throughout the year.
STA can take place in shared or individual accommodation. In some circumstances, it can also involve support in the participant’s own home.
You may have previously seen this support described as Short Term Respite (STR). The NDIS currently uses the term Short Term Accommodation (STA).
What Does NDIS STA Include?
The support provided during STA should reflect the participant’s usual disability-related needs.
Depending on the participant’s plan and agreed arrangements, this may include:
Suitable accommodation.
Assistance with showering, dressing and other personal care.
Support with everyday tasks, such as preparing food.
Assistance with communication and familiar routines.
Overnight support appropriate to the participant’s needs.
Ask providers to explain exactly what they offer, how support is delivered and what will be charged.
Support with preparing or eating a meal is different from paying for the food itself. Current NDIS guidance excludes food or meals from STA funding. It also excludes holiday packages and entertainment costs such as theme park admission, concert tickets and cinema entry.
Any additional expenses should be discussed before booking.
Who Is STA For?
STA may be available to participants who rely on substantial disability-related support from family members or other informal carers.
The NDIS considers individual circumstances, including usual living arrangements, the support provided by informal carers and whether STA will help those caring arrangements continue.
Having an NDIS plan does not automatically mean STA will be funded. Wanting a holiday, a change of scenery or opportunities to socialise does not, on its own, establish eligibility.
If you think you need STA, speak with your NDIS contact about your support needs and circumstances.
How Does NDIS STA Funding Work?
STA funding must be used in line with the participant’s NDIS plan and the current rules.
The NDIS states that STA is usually funded for up to 28 days per year. This is not an automatic entitlement for every participant.
Where approved, funding may be used flexibly. For example, a participant might arrange a weekend each month or a block of up to 14 days at a time, depending on their plan and needs.
Before booking:
Check that your plan includes appropriate STA funding.
Confirm the support you need during the stay.
Review the provider’s service agreement and charges.
Clarify any costs payable separately.
Consider how the booking will affect your remaining budget.
If your plan does not include the STA support you need, contact your NDIS contact to discuss your circumstances. A support coordinator, if you have one, can help you prepare for that conversation.
Read the current NDIS guidance on Short Term Accommodation for further information.
How STA Can Support Participants and Families
A suitable STA arrangement can help participants continue receiving appropriate support while their usual informal carers take a break.
For participants, this may mean:
Maintaining familiar routines with appropriate assistance.
Having support with personal care and everyday tasks.
Making choices about their day.
Spending time in an environment suited to their needs.
Becoming familiar with other support workers.
For families and informal carers, a planned break can provide time to rest, look after their wellbeing or attend to personal commitments.
These arrangements should be planned around the individual. Some participants enjoy a shared environment, while others need more privacy, quiet or a different level of support.
STA for Gold Coast and Brisbane Participants
When comparing STA options, consider where the accommodation is located and how you will access it.
Useful questions include:
How far is the property from home?
Does it meet your mobility and accessibility requirements?
Is transport available, and how is it arranged and charged?
Can you visit before staying?
What support is available during the day and overnight?
How are shared accommodation arrangements assessed?
Rize Support’s dedicated STA house is located on the northern Gold Coast. Suitable participants from Brisbane can also enquire, with transport, individual support needs and group compatibility discussed before booking.
Visit our Gold Coast and Brisbane service-area page to understand where our services operate.
Choosing the Right STA Provider
When comparing providers, look beyond available dates. Ask how the provider will meet your particular needs.
Consider:
Accommodation suitability: Bedrooms, bathrooms, shared spaces, accessibility and equipment.
Support arrangements: Staffing levels, overnight assistance and relevant worker experience.
Personalisation: How routines, communication preferences, sensory needs and personal choices are considered.
Group compatibility: How shared stays are planned and individual privacy is respected.
Communication: How participants and nominated contacts receive information and raise concerns.
Costs: What is included, what is charged separately and which expenses can be paid using STA funding.
For more local considerations, read our Gold Coast STA guide for families.
Safety, Quality and Support Standards
A provider should be able to explain how they manage safety and respond to individual support requirements.
Before booking, ask about:
Worker screening and relevant training.
Individual support planning.
Medication and health-related support, where required.
Emergency procedures.
Privacy and consent.
Feedback and complaints.
Communication about changes or incidents.
Clear answers help participants and families make an informed decision about suitability.
How Rize Support Delivers STA
Rize Support is a registered NDIS provider offering Short Term Accommodation from a dedicated house on the northern Gold Coast.
Before confirming a stay, we discuss the participant’s support needs, routines, preferences and interests. We also consider transport and group compatibility.
Our approach focuses on:
Personalised support.
Participant choice and comfort.
Familiar routines.
Social connection.
Clear communication with families and support networks.
Participants and families can arrange a meet and greet to ask questions and become more familiar with the people providing support.
Explore our NDIS Short Term Accommodation on the Gold Coast to learn more.
What to Expect From Your First STA Stay
Preparation gives your provider a clearer understanding of what helps you feel comfortable and supported.
Before your stay, discuss:
Your usual daily and sleep routines.
Communication preferences.
Personal care requirements.
Medication and health-related support.
Dietary and sensory needs.
Mobility requirements and equipment.
What helps when you feel anxious or uncomfortable.
How you would like to communicate with family.
Ask what to bring, what is supplied and how any additional expenses will be handled.
On arrival, there should be time to become familiar with the accommodation and support workers at a pace that suits you.
Read Your First NDIS Short Term Accommodation Stay: What to Expect and How to Prepare for more practical preparation advice.
Enquire About STA With Rize Support
If you are considering STA for yourself or someone you support, we can discuss suitability, available dates and the arrangements needed before a stay.
