NDIS Respite Care in Melbourne
A well-earned break for carers, and a positive change of scene for you. From an overnight stay to a weekend away or support at home, our respite care gives everyone a chance to rest, recharge and try something new, with 24-hour support the whole time.
NDIS respite care, funded as Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and now also called Short-Term Respite (STR), provides a short stay with support away from your usual home, or support in your own home, so carers get a break and participants enjoy a change of scene. It is funded in your Core Supports budget and usually covers up to 28 days a year.
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A Break That Does Everyone Good
Respite care gives participants and their carers a short, supported break from their usual routine. For you, it can mean new experiences, new friends and a change of scene. For your family or carer, it means time to rest, work or simply recharge, knowing you are safe and well supported.
The NDIS funds respite as Short-Term Accommodation, now also called Short-Term Respite, within your Core Supports. It works well alongside our self-care, SIL and community participation services.
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Respite That Fits Your Life
Respite is flexible. Choose an overnight stay, a weekend away, day support or a helping hand in your own home.
Overnight Stay (STA)
A short stay away from home in a supported setting, with accommodation, meals and 24-hour care.
In-Home Respite
Support comes to you, so you stay in familiar surroundings while your carer takes a break.
Weekend & Holiday Respite
Enjoy a weekend or short getaway with support, activities and the company of others.
Day & Community Respite
Daytime support and outings that give both you and your carer a refreshing change of pace.
Emergency Respite
Short-notice support when a carer is unwell or an unexpected situation arises. Call us to discuss.
Planned Regular Respite
Regular, scheduled breaks that give your household a predictable, sustainable rhythm of care.
Everything Covered in an STA Respite Stay
A Short-Term Accommodation stay is a complete package, so you can simply relax and enjoy it.
Accommodation
Meals
Personal Care
Activities
24-Hour Support
Clear on What's Included
Respite funding covers your supported stay. Here is the quick guide to what is and is not included.
✓ Funded
- Accommodation for the length of your stay
- Meals and food during respite
- Personal care and daily support
- Activities and outings during your stay
- 24-hour support and supervision
- In-home and community respite options
✕ Not funded
- Everyday costs at your usual home during the stay
- Holidays purely for leisure with no support need
- Ongoing rent or long-term accommodation
- Personal items you would buy anyway
- Transport to and from respite (funded separately)
- Support already funded by another system
Short-Term Accommodation Price Limits
STA is usually charged as a bundled daily package covering support, accommodation, food and activities. The core building blocks under the 2026-27 schedule are below.
| Item | Unit | Price limit |
|---|---|---|
| Participant accommodation | Day | $162.85 |
| Support worker accommodation | Day | $162.85 |
| Support, standard weekday daytime | Hour | $73.58 |
| Support, Saturday | Hour | $103.54 |
| Support, Sunday | Hour | $133.50 |
| Overnight sleepover | Night | $311.79 |
Source: NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 (effective 1 July 2026), Schedule 1. Providers usually combine these into a single daily package rate. Respite is generally funded up to 28 days per year and used flexibly. See our full NDIS Price Guide.
What Changed for 2026
Keep these 2026 points in mind
- STA is now also called Short-Term Respite. The NDIS has updated the name of Short-Term Accommodation to Short-Term Respite, reflecting that its purpose is to give participants and carers a break.
- New price limits from 1 July 2026. The NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 updated the accommodation and support rates that make up a respite stay.
- Usually up to 28 days a year. Respite is generally funded for up to 28 days per year and can be used flexibly, for example as weekends spread across the year.
- Charged as a package. STA is normally billed as one daily rate that bundles support, accommodation, food and activities, so it is easy to budget.
Booking Respite in 3 Steps
From your first call to your first stay, here is how we plan a break that suits your household.
Tell Us Your Needs
Share the type of respite you want, your dates, and any support or dietary needs we should plan for.
Plan Your Stay
We check your funding, arrange the setting and support, and confirm everything in a clear agreement.
Relax & Recharge
Enjoy your break with friendly, around-the-clock support, while your carer rests easy.
Respite You Can Relax Into
Every Sky Care Solutions worker is screened, trained and chosen for warmth as well as skill. We plan each respite stay around your routines, interests and support needs, so you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive, and your carer can take a genuine break.
NDIS Registration No: 4050172644 · ABN 27 672 665 235NDIS Respite Care, FAQs
Direct answers to the questions we hear most. See our full FAQ page for more.
What is NDIS respite care? +
NDIS respite care is short-term support that gives participants and their carers a break from their usual routine. It can be an overnight or weekend stay away from home, or support provided in your own home. It gives carers time to rest and gives participants a change of scene, new activities and new connections, all with support.
Is Short-Term Accommodation (STA) now called Short-Term Respite? +
Yes. The NDIS has updated the name of Short-Term Accommodation to Short-Term Respite, which better reflects its purpose of giving participants and carers a break. The funding and how it works stay the same, it is still part of your Core Supports budget.
What is included in an STA respite stay? +
A Short-Term Accommodation stay is a complete package that usually includes accommodation, meals, personal care and daily support, activities and outings, and 24-hour support and supervision. It is designed so you can simply relax and enjoy your break.
Which NDIS budget pays for respite? +
Respite is funded from your Core Supports budget as Short-Term Accommodation, now also called Short-Term Respite. Because it sits in Core, it can often be used flexibly, so you can plan the breaks that suit your household across the year.
How many days of respite can I get? +
Short-Term Accommodation is generally funded for up to 28 days per year. Many participants use these days flexibly, for example as a series of weekends or shorter breaks spread across the year, rather than all at once. Your plan sets out your funding.
How much does respite cost in 2026-27? +
Under the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 (from 1 July 2026), participant accommodation is $162.85 per day, with support charged at the worker rates (for example $73.58 per hour weekday daytime and $311.79 for an overnight sleepover). Providers usually bundle these into a single daily package rate for a respite stay.
Can I have respite in my own home? +
Yes. In-home respite means a support worker comes to you, so you stay in your familiar surroundings and routine while your carer takes a break. This is a great option if you feel most comfortable at home or prefer not to travel.
Who qualifies for NDIS respite, and does it help carers? +
Respite can be funded when it is reasonable and necessary and helps sustain your informal supports, such as a family carer. It gives carers a genuine break, which helps them keep providing care over the long term, and gives participants their own positive experiences and independence.
Can I book emergency respite? +
Yes, where possible. If a carer becomes unwell or an unexpected situation arises, we do our best to arrange short-notice respite so you remain safe and well supported. Call us on 03 7047 9499 to discuss urgent needs.
How do I start respite with Sky Care Solutions? +
Call 03 7047 9499 or book a free consultation. We talk through the type of respite you want, check your funding, plan the stay and support, and confirm everything clearly. We provide respite across South-East Melbourne, greater Melbourne and Victoria.
- What is Short-Term Accommodation, ndis.gov.au
- Short-Term Accommodation now called Short-Term Respite, ndis.gov.au
- NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, ndis.gov.au
- NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 (effective 1 July 2026), National Disability Insurance Agency
Ready for a Break That Does Everyone Good?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We help you plan the right respite, check your funding, and arrange a safe, enjoyable break for you and a genuine rest for your carer, with no pressure to commit.