The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has announced an important update for people receiving supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The service previously known as Short Term Accommodation (STA) is now called Short Term Respite.
This change may seem small, but it carries a significant meaning. It shifts the focus from the accommodation itself to the purpose behind the support — giving both participants and their informal carers a much-needed break while maintaining quality care and safe living arrangements.
The update reflects feedback from participants, families, and disability advocates who said that “Short Term Respite” better describes what the support actually provides — time to recharge, refresh, and restore balance for both participants and carers.
Why the Change Matters
The renaming from “accommodation” to “respite” is more than just a new label. It represents a clearer and more compassionate understanding of the purpose behind the support.
While “Short Term Accommodation” focused on the place a participant stays, “Short Term Respite” focuses on why that stay matters. It highlights the human side of support — the rest, relief, and reset it offers to people with disability and their support networks.
This change also helps to reduce confusion for participants, carers, and providers. Many people previously associated “accommodation” with long-term housing solutions, such as Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The new name makes it clear that this support is designed for short stays, not permanent housing.
Understanding Short Term Respite
Short Term Respite is a funded support under the NDIS that allows participants to stay somewhere other than their usual home for a short period. The stay can occur in a group home, a supported accommodation setting, or even the participant’s own home with additional support provided.
The goal of Short Term Respite is to provide a temporary break — for both the participant and their carers — while maintaining consistent, high-quality care and daily supports.
Short Term Respite generally includes:
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Comfortable, accessible accommodation for the participant
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Daily personal care and support with activities such as dressing, eating, or showering
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Nutritious meals during the stay
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Access to activities, skill-building programs, or community engagement
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Support from trained staff and service providers
The focus is always on continuity of care, participant safety, and ensuring that both the participant and their informal carers feel supported.
The Purpose Behind Short Term Respite
The change in name underscores the real intent of this service — to support the wellbeing of both participants and their informal carers.
For many people with disability, family members and friends play a vital role in providing daily care. Over time, these responsibilities can become emotionally and physically demanding. Short Term Respite offers an opportunity for everyone involved to take a step back, rest, and regain energy.
Participants benefit by:
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Gaining independence and confidence in a new environment
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Meeting new people and engaging in different activities
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Learning new skills and building resilience
Carers benefit by:
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Having time to rest, attend to personal needs, or spend time with family
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Reducing stress and avoiding burnout
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Returning to their caring role refreshed and supported
By framing this support as “respite,” the NDIA highlights its purpose as a sustainable, proactive approach to long-term care and wellbeing.
Who Can Access Short Term Respite?
Short Term Respite is available to NDIS participants who have funding for this support in their plan or who can use their Core Supports budget flexibly. It’s particularly suitable when:
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A carer or family member needs time off from their caring duties
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Usual supports are temporarily unavailable
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A participant wants to experience a change of environment
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There’s a need to strengthen independent living skills in a supported setting
The service is generally available for up to 28 days per year, although the exact amount of support will depend on the participant’s individual needs and plan goals. These days can be used all at once or spread across weekends and shorter stays throughout the year.
How It Differs from Other Housing Supports
It’s important to understand that Short Term Respite is not the same as long-term or permanent accommodation options under the NDIS.
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Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Designed for people with very high support needs who require purpose-built housing.
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Supported Independent Living (SIL): Provides daily support for people who live in shared or individual homes on a long-term basis.
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Medium Term Accommodation (MTA): For people who need temporary housing while waiting for a permanent option to become available.
Short Term Respite is different. It’s a temporary, planned break that complements these other supports — it’s about maintaining balance and continuity, not replacing a home environment.
Funding and Planning
Short Term Respite is typically funded under the Core Supports category in an NDIS plan, under “Assistance with Daily Life.” This gives participants flexibility to use their budget according to their needs and priorities.
During a planning meeting or plan review, participants can discuss:
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How Short Term Respite supports their goals
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The role of informal carers in their life
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How often respite might be needed
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Whether group or individual respite is most suitable
If the participant’s current plan doesn’t include dedicated respite funding, they may still be able to use their Core budget to access it, depending on available funds.
It’s always best to plan ahead and discuss with a support coordinator or planner how Short Term Respite can be integrated into your broader support plan.
Benefits for Participants
Short Term Respite provides a variety of direct and indirect benefits for participants, including:
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Building independence: Spending time away from home can help participants learn to manage routines and responsibilities in a new environment.
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Developing social connections: Respite stays often involve group activities that encourage friendships and social inclusion.
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Improving emotional wellbeing: A change of scenery and support can help reduce stress and improve mental health.
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Increasing flexibility: Participants can explore different living situations or trial new supports in a short-term, supported setting.
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Enhancing goal achievement: Respite experiences can be linked to NDIS plan goals such as community participation or personal development.
Benefits for Carers and Families
For carers — often parents, partners, or family members — Short Term Respite can be life-changing. Caring for a loved one with a disability can be rewarding but also demanding. Over time, stress and fatigue can build up, affecting both health and relationships.
By taking planned respite, carers can:
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Rest and recharge physically and emotionally
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Spend time on personal or family activities
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Maintain their own health and wellbeing
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Return to their caring role feeling renewed and better able to provide support
The service helps families sustain their caring relationships for the long term, reducing the risk of crisis situations or burnout.
Common Misunderstandings About Respite
Despite its importance, Short Term Respite is sometimes misunderstood. A few key clarifications help prevent confusion:
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It’s not a holiday: While stays can be enjoyable, respite is a funded support that must relate to the participant’s disability and plan goals.
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It’s not permanent accommodation: The stay is temporary, usually lasting from one night to a few weeks.
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It’s not only for emergencies: Respite should ideally be planned in advance, not just used in crisis situations.
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It benefits both sides: Respite isn’t just for the carer’s benefit — it also provides meaningful experiences for the participant.
By planning ahead, families can use Short Term Respite proactively to prevent stress and maintain stability.
Accessing Short Term Respite
To access Short Term Respite, participants can follow these simple steps:
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Discuss during your planning meeting — Explain how respite aligns with your goals and supports your carer network.
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Provide evidence if needed — Share information about your care arrangements, your carer’s needs, and how respite will benefit both of you.
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Work with your support coordinator or LAC — Identify suitable providers and understand your funding options.
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Book the stay — Choose a provider that matches your preferences for location, activities, and level of support.
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Review after the stay — Evaluate what worked well and how it contributed to your goals for future planning.
Good communication between participants, carers, providers, and planners is key to making respite work effectively.
The Broader Impact of the Change
Renaming this support to “Short Term Respite” is part of a broader NDIA effort to make NDIS language clearer and more participant-focused. It helps people understand what supports are available and how they can use them.
This clarity can also improve trust and engagement between participants, families, and providers. When people understand what supports are for, they’re more likely to use them effectively — and that leads to better outcomes across the board.
By framing the support around the value it provides rather than the place it occurs, the NDIS is reinforcing its core mission: to build independence, inclusion, and choice for people with disability and their support networks.
Conclusion
The transition from Short Term Accommodation to Short Term Respite marks a meaningful shift in how the NDIS describes and delivers supports. It acknowledges the emotional, social, and practical realities of disability support — and recognises the vital contribution of carers and informal networks.
For participants, it offers a safe and supported environment to grow, learn, and take a break from routine. For carers, it provides essential relief and renewal.
By embracing this change, the NDIA is promoting clearer communication, better understanding, and stronger outcomes for everyone involved in the NDIS community.
Short Term Respite isn’t just a new name — it’s a renewed commitment to care, balance, and wellbeing for people with disability and the families who support them.
