What is STA?

Also known as: Short-term accommodation

STA, or short-term accommodation, is NDIS funding that gives a participant time apart from their usual informal supports, such as family, while those carers take a short break. It covers support and standard accommodation for stays of up to 14 days at a time, usually up to 28 days a year. Food and meals are not funded.

The NDIA renamed this support short term respite on 20 October 2025. Its guideline dated 27 July 2026 and the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 use short term accommodation, so providers will see both names.

Eligibility generally depends on the participant living with their primary informal supports, or getting daily drop-in support, and receiving more than 6 hours a day of disability-related support from them.

Who can get STA

A participant may get STA funding if they live with their primary informal supports, such as family, friends or a carer, or get daily drop-in support, and receive more than 6 hours a day of disability-related support from them.

The NDIA may fund STA for participants younger than 18 when their support needs are greater than is typical for their age and a break will help their family keep caring for them. STA does not replace normal parenting responsibilities.

What STA covers

supports for everyday activities, such as showering, cooking and toileting
standard accommodation, such as a hotel, motel, short stay rental, cabin, cottage, hostel or respite accommodation
support to stay in the participant's own home, or a homestay with a support worker, if they usually need overnight support.

STA should generally be used in the participant's home state or territory, with exceptions for people in remote areas.

What STA does not cover

food or meals, which are day-to-day living costs (existing funding for help preparing or eating food can still be used)
cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation and airfares
passports, visas, or travel and vehicle insurance
accommodation or travel for family or support workers on holiday
theme parks, concerts, cinema, sporting events and conferences.

STA also does not replace ordinary time apart, such as school or work, or crisis accommodation.

Claiming STA

The Pricing Schedule 2026-27 lists STA labour items for help during a stay of up to 14 days, priced by time of day and day of week, plus a sleepover item. Where the support meets the high intensity definitions, the high intensity amount applies. Participants should only pay for supports they actually use, and the funding is meant to last the length of the plan.

Questions people ask

How many days of STA does the NDIS fund?

Usually up to 28 days a year, used flexibly, for example in blocks of up to 14 days or one weekend a month. The NDIA can fund more if a participant's support needs require it.

Does NDIS short-term accommodation include meals?

No. Participants buy or provide their own meals. Food and groceries are day-to-day living costs and are not NDIS supports.

Is STA the same as short term respite?

Yes. The NDIA called it short term respite from 20 October 2025, and its 2026 guideline and pricing schedule use short term accommodation.

Can STA be used at home?

Yes. Participants can use STA in their own home, or in shared or individual accommodation.

Checked against the official sources on 2 October 2026. Rules change: confirm the current position with the agency before you rely on it.

Related terms

SILSIL (supported independent living) is NDIS funding for help with daily tasks and personal care for a participant living in a shared or individual home, often including overnight support. It pays for the support, not the housing. The NDIA works out each participant’s SIL funding from evidence of their support needs and the NDIS pricing schedule.ILOILO, or individualised living options, is an NDIS home and living support that lets a participant design how they live and are supported, such as living with a host or with a housemate who provides support. It is funded in two stages: exploration and design, then the ILO supports themselves. ILO does not pay rent or everyday living costs.SleepoverA sleepover is an arrangement where a support worker stays overnight at a participant’s home to be available if needed, and is permitted to sleep. Under the SCHADS Award it attracts a flat sleepover allowance rather than hourly pay, plus payment at the appropriate rate for any period the worker is actually woken to work.Core SupportsCore Supports is the NDIS budget category funding everyday assistance: personal care, help with household tasks, community participation, transport, and consumables. It is the most flexible category — funding generally moves freely between most Core support items — and it is where the majority of a typical participant’s plan sits.NDIS Price GuideThe NDIS Price Guide, published with the Support Catalogue, sets the maximum prices registered providers may charge for each support item. It is updated at least annually, usually effective 1 July, and defines item numbers, unit types, price limits by state grouping, and the rules for cancellations, travel and non-face-to-face time.Funding periodsA funding period is the time in which part of a participant's NDIS plan funding becomes available to spend. From 19 May 2025, new and reassessed plans usually have three-month funding periods. Unspent funding rolls over within the same plan, but a claim cannot be paid if it exceeds the funding available in the current period.

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