The NDIA have made some recent changes to Short Term Accommodation (STA) Supports.

Short Term Accommodation (previously known as Short Term Respite) continues to provide support for short stays away from a participant's usual living arrangements.

However, there are differences in how STA supports are claimed and some costs have been explicitly excluded.

What’s changed?

Updated claiming arrangements

Previously, Short Term Accommodation was claimed as a comprehensive support covering a 24-hour period. Since 1 July 2026, the support and accommodation components have been separated into different line items.

New STA line items include:

• Hourly support worker rates aligned with other NDIS support worker pricing.
• Accommodation costs for the participant.
• Accommodation costs for the support worker.

Meals

Previously, some providers delivering STA in a centre-based or group residence included meals in the daily rate. Updated NDIA guidance clarifies that meals are generally considered an everyday living expense and are not included as part of STA.

If a participant has disability-related support needs for preparing or eating meals, they may still be able to use the appropriate funding in their plan to receive those supports while accessing Short Term Accommodation.

Activities

Previously, negotiated activities may have been included as part of STA when it was claimed as a comprehensive support. The NDIA now distinguishes between the disability-related support to participate in an activity, and the cost of the activity itself.

STA funding can be used to pay for the disability-related support needed to participate in activities. However, it cannot be used to pay for the activities themselves.

Want more information?

You can find the Short Term Accommodation guidelines on the NDIS website.

We've also updated our pocket-sized pricing summaries to reflect the changes to STA. You can get a digital version here. To receive printed copies, simply contact us and let us know your name, postal address and how many copies you would like.