Understanding Short-Term Accommodation

August 17, 2023myAutonomy NDIS

One of our most commonly asked questions is about Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and what’s covered.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen big changes in STA, so it’s always helpful to have a reminder about what is and isn’t funded.

As you may be aware, in March 2022, the NDIS funding allowance for STA changed significantly. What was known as respite is now STA –– and, importantly, it’s much more limited than it was previously.

For more information about STA, you can also visit the NDIS website.

What is STA?

To give a participant’s usual carers a break and provide new opportunities for participants, the NDIS provides provision for STA.

Though it’s something that the NDIS only provides funding for in limited circumstances.

What is funded under STA?

While it’s sometimes confusing, STA is different to taking a holiday or going on a trip. To be covered by the NDIS and considered STA, all of the following must be provided during the stay (as part of a bundled rate), for a participant:

personal care

accommodation

food

activities

transport

Other factors need to be taken into account too. These include:

STA must be considered reasonable and necessary by the NDIS.

Funding for STA must relate specifically to a participant’s disability.

STA is typically held in a group setting where 24-hour support is provided. There are some exceptions to this where there’s an important reason for care to be individualised.

As with all supports, STA must be in line with a goal in the participant’s plan.

STA vs. Not STA

At myAutuonomy, we know it can be tricky to understand what qualifies as STA. These examples will help explain the differences.

What is STA?

A participant stays in a group home facility for a week that offers 24-hour care, meals, accommodation, and group activities.

A participant attends a Harry Potter-themed trip organised by an experience company. All travel, accommodation, activities and meals are covered and listed in the plan goals.

A provider organises accommodation, provides transportation and meals, along with a support worker or workers for around-the-clock support, which may be in a hotel, motel or lodging and is presented in a single invoice with an all-inclusive cost.

In each of the examples above, services are invoiced as a daily total OR bundled rate.

What is not STA?

A participant stays in a hotel for a long weekend –– they do not require a support worker, meals or activities.

A participant spends a week in a hotel or Airbnb with their family.