Key changes to short-term accommodation and holidays

Key Changes to Short-Term Accommodation and Holidays

August 19, 2022myAutonomy NDIS

Since March 2022, the NDIS funding allowance for short-term accommodation/respite has changed significantly.

While you may recall that we wrote about respite funding last year, we’re providing these important updates to help you understand what can be considered respite.

Respite is now officially known by the NDIS as Short-Term Accommodation and Assistance. It’s also more limited than it was previously. These are the key things you need to know.

You can find also find more on the NDIS website here, and also specifically regarding STA here

What is short-term accommodation?

Short-term accommodation provides a chance for a participant’s usual carers to take a break from caring.

It’s important to note, that short-term accommodation funding only applies in certain specific circumstances.

What classifies as short-term accommodation?

Short-term accommodation is different to taking a holiday. Typically for a break from home to qualify as short-term accommodation, all of the following must be provided during the stay (as part of a bundled rate):

personal care
accommodation
food
activities
transport

It’s also important to keep in mind these factors:

The need for short-term accommodation must relate to a participant’s disability.
Typically short-term accommodation will be in a group setting where 24-hour support is provided. This is unless there is a compelling reason for the caring to be one-on-one.
Like with all supports, gaining access to short-term accommodation needs to be related to a goal in your plan and you’ll need to supply evidence to the NDIS to show why having access to short-term accommodation is reasonable and necessary.

What’s a holiday?

Holidays are breaks from staying in the usual home that do not require all accommodation, meals, personal care and activities to be included.

A holiday is not specifically funded under the NDIS. There is still provision, though, on a holiday to gain access to limited supports.

The type of supports accessible on a holiday may include things like equipment hire and personal care.

How can I tell the difference?

To illustrate the differences between short-term accommodation and a holiday, here are some examples.

A holiday:

A participant wishes to stay in an Airbnb for 5 nights. They require a support worker to be present with them, but will not claim for food or activities.
A participant wishes to stay with their family at a hotel for 3 nights. They do not require a support worker, meals, or activities.

Short-term accommodation:

A participant staying in a group home facility for 5 days where they require 24-hour care including accommodation, meals and group activities.
A participant on a Harry Potter-themed trip purchased through an experience company. The entire costs of the travel, accommodation, activities, and meals are covered and are listed in the plan goals.