Updated on December 12, 2025
Planning a break away from home can be exciting, but if you’re an NDIS participant, you might be wondering how your funding can support this. Short Term Accommodation (STA) offers a valuable opportunity for respite and skill-building, but it’s important to understand what it can and can’t be used for, especially when it comes to holiday-style stays.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about using your NDIS funding for STA, including the practical steps, necessary plan categories, and sample budget scenarios to help you plan your next getaway.
Short Term Accommodation (STA)
Short Term Accommodation provides temporary accommodation away from your usual home, typically for respite purposes or to build independence and new skills. Think of it as a support that gives both you and your informal carers (like family or friends) a well-deserved break while ensuring you continue to receive the care you need.
Here’s what makes STA special: it’s not just about the accommodation itself; it includes personal care support, meals, and agreed-upon activities during your stay.
What can STA include?
When you access STA through a registered provider, your funding typically covers:
- Accommodation costs for your stay
- Personal care support to help with daily living activities
- Meals and basic groceries during your stay
- Planned activities that align with your goals
- Support worker accommodation if you need 1:1 support
The important distinction: STA vs. Holiday
Here’s where things get tricky. The NDIA has made it clear that STA funding is not intended for holidays or recreational travel that doesn’t directly support disability-related needs. This doesn’t mean your stay can’t be enjoyable; it absolutely should be. But the primary purpose must be respite for your carers or skill-building for you, not simply a vacation.
NDIS funding cannot cover day-to-day living costs such as food and groceries when staying in non-STA accommodation, lifestyle costs, travel expenses, entrance fees, and event tickets.
Which plan category covers STA?
STA funding comes from your Core Supports budget, specifically under “Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement.” The good news? You don’t necessarily need a specific line item for STA in your plan. As long as you have sufficient funding in your Core Supports budget and the STA use aligns with your goals, you can access it.
Your Core budget is the most flexible type of NDIS funding, and you can generally move funds between different Core support categories unless they’ve been set aside for a specific purpose. This means if you have funding allocated to daily activities or community participation, you may be able to use it for STA, as long as you’re managing your budget carefully across the full length of your plan.
For self-managed participants, this flexibility is even greater. Self-management gives you the power to negotiate costs above or below the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, allowing you to arrange supports in a way that offers the best value.
Practical steps to book your STA stay
Step 1: Check your plan and budget
Before you start planning, log into your myplace portal or NDIS app to check:
- How much Core Supports funding you have available
- Whether STA is specifically mentioned in your plan
- How long your plan has left to run
- Your current spending against your budget
Step 2: Clarify your purpose
Remember, STA must align with your NDIS goals and provide respite for your carers or build your skills. Ask yourself:
- Will this give my primary carer a break from their caring responsibilities?
- Will this help me work toward independence or skill-building goals?
- How does this support my overall well-being and that of my support network?
Step 3: Choose a registered STA provider
Research providers that offer STA services in your preferred location. When choosing a provider, consider:
- Their experience with participants who have similar needs to yours
- The types of activities and support they offer
- Accessibility features of their accommodation
- Reviews and recommendations from other participants
For plan-managed participants: You can choose from both registered and unregistered providers, giving you more flexibility.
For self-managed participants: You have complete freedom to choose any provider, but it’s wise to ensure they understand NDIS requirements to avoid claim rejections later.
Step 4: Request a quote
Contact your chosen provider and request a detailed quote that includes:
- Accommodation costs per night
- Personal care support hours and rates
- Meals included
- Planned activities
- Any additional costs
Invoices should clearly show how the accommodation aligns with your support plan and how the support was delivered.
Step 5: Get approval (if needed)
For plan-managed participants: Share the quote with your plan manager. They’ll verify you have sufficient funding and provide written confirmation before you book.
For self-managed participants: You can proceed directly, but it’s still wise to keep your support coordinator informed (if you have one) to ensure the booking aligns with NDIS guidelines.
Step 6: Book in advance
It’s recommended to book STA at least two weeks in advance to secure availability and allow time for the approval process, especially during peak holiday periods.
Step 7: Prepare service agreements
Before your stay, ensure you have a clear service agreement that outlines:
- Dates of your stay
- Supports to be provided
- Daily schedule
- Emergency contact procedures
- Costs and payment terms
Step 8: Keep documentation
This is important for both self-managed and plan-managed participants:
- Keep all receipts and invoices
- Take photos or notes about activities that aligned with your goals
- Document how the respite supported your informal carers
- Record any skills you developed during your stay
This documentation will be important if the NDIA reviews your claims and for your plan reassessment discussions.
Sample budget scenarios
Scenario 1: Weekend respite stay (Self-managed)
Participant profile: Sarah, who needs moderate support with daily activities
Stay duration: 2 nights (Friday to Sunday)
Budget breakdown:
- Accommodation (group setting): $220 per night = $440
- Personal care support (included in group rate)
- Meals (included in group rate)
- Activities (included in group rate)
Total cost: $440
Core Supports used: Assistance with Daily Life in a group setting
This option works well for regular, shorter breaks throughout the year. Sarah could have 14 such weekends within her 28-day annual limit.
Scenario 2: Week-long capacity building stay (Plan-managed)
Participant profile: James, who requires 1:1 support and is working on independence skills
Stay duration: 7 nights
Budget breakdown:
- Individual accommodation: $250 per night = $1,750
- 1:1 support worker (24-hour active overnight): $1,800 per night = $12,600
- Support worker accommodation: $150 per night = $1,050
- Meals (not included—participant pays separately): Approximately $350
Total NDIS claimable cost: $15,400
Out-of-pocket expenses: $350 (meals)
This scenario demonstrates that individual 1:1 support significantly increases costs compared to group settings. James would need substantial Core Supports funding for this type of stay.
Scenario 3: Mixed approach — Two-week holiday period (Self-managed)
Participant profile: Michelle, who can access group support and wants to visit family interstate
Stay duration: 14 nights
Budget breakdown:
- STA accommodation (group setting) for 10 nights: $220 x 10 = $2,200
- Personal care and activities (included in group rate)
- Private accommodation with family for 4 nights: Not NDIS funded
- Private support workers during family visit: $1,200 (claimed separately from Assistance with Daily Life)
Total NDIS claimable cost: $3,400
Out-of-pocket expenses: Private accommodation costs (approximately $600) + entertainment and extras
Michelle’s approach maximizes her NDIS funding by using STA for part of her trip while staying with family for the remainder. She claims support worker hours separately when not in STA accommodation.
Important tips for self-managed participants
Managing STA funding yourself gives you maximum control and flexibility, but comes with additional responsibilities:
- Keep meticulous records: Save every invoice, receipt, and piece of documentation. You may need to provide evidence during payment audits.
- Negotiate rates: You can negotiate costs with providers, potentially getting better value than standard NDIS rates. Just ensure the quality of support meets your needs.
- Understand your obligations: You’re responsible for ensuring NDIS supports relate to your disability, and that spending provides value for money within your budget.
- Use a budget tracking system: Whether it’s a spreadsheet, budgeting app, or the myplace portal, actively monitor your spending to avoid running out of funds before your plan ends.
- Prepare for plan reassessment: You’ll need to show how you’ve used your self-managed funding toward pursuing your goals at your plan reassessment.
- Consider invoicing timing: Submit payment requests promptly and pay providers on time to maintain good relationships and ensure continued access to supports.
Important tips for plan-managed participants
Having a plan manager handle the financial side offers peace of mind while maintaining flexibility:
- Communicate proactively: Share quotes and booking details with your plan manager well in advance to ensure smooth approval processes.
- Understand GST handling: Your plan manager takes care of GST claims, which you don’t need to worry about.
- Request regular budget updates: Ask your plan manager for spending reports so you can track how much Core Supports funding remains.
- Choose reputable providers: While you can use unregistered providers, discuss options with your plan manager; they often have insights about which providers process claims smoothly.
- Keep your plan manager informed: If your circumstances change or you need to adjust your STA plans, let your plan manager know as soon as possible.
Making the most of your STA experience
While there are rules around what STA can and can’t be used for, this doesn’t mean your experience can’t be wonderful and restorative. Here’s how to maximize the benefits:
Focus on your goals
Whether it’s building independence with meal preparation, improving social skills through group activities, or simply giving your primary carer a well-deserved break, keep your NDIS goals front and center.
Choose meaningful locations
While you can’t claim tourist activities, you can stay in locations you enjoy. A beach house, mountain retreat, or regional town can all host STA stays as long as the focus remains on your support needs.
Incorporate skill-building
Work with your provider to include activities that develop new capabilities, cooking classes, navigation practice, social interaction opportunities, or technology skills.
Document the respite benefit
Keep notes about how the break helps your informal carers recharge, as this demonstrates the value of STA for sustaining your current living arrangements.
Conclusion
Short Term Accommodation can be a valuable support that benefits both you and your carers, providing much-needed breaks while helping you work toward greater independence. While the rules around what can and can’t be claimed might seem restrictive, they exist to ensure NDIS funding is used sustainably and appropriately.
Whether you’re self-managing or plan-managed, taking the time to understand the requirements upfront will save you stress and potential financial complications down the track. And remember, while the paperwork might feel tedious, it’s worth it for the opportunity to have meaningful breaks that keep you and your support network thriving.
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