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Short Term Accommodation (STA) and Assistance Including Respite​

Supporting You with Safe, Supportive and Meaningful Short-Term Accommodation

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About this support

At Good Company Disability Services, our Short Term Accommodation (STA), including respite, provides individuals with a safe and supportive environment where they can recharge, build skills, and enjoy new experiences—all while giving carers a short break. We tailor each STA experience to meet individual needs, preferences and NDIS goals, while ensuring every stay is purposeful and aligned with NDIS support plans.

STA and Assistance (including respite) is not a holiday.

NDIS funding for STA can only be used to cover the cost of support, not for activities, holidays or luxury services. All services delivered under STA must be reasonable and necessary in line with your NDIS plan goals. We strictly adhere to NDIS funding rules and price controls. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) may update or modify requirements, line items or pricing structures at any time, and we can work with you and your Support Coordinator to confirm current pricing arrangements, and NDIS requirements around STA and Assistance.

What Is STA?

Short Term Accommodation (STA) is temporary, funded support for people with disability who need to live out of their usual home for a short period of time. It typically includes:

  • Support from our support workers and mentors, including social and community support

  • Accommodation in a fully accessible home

  • Help with everyday routines and skills, such as planning and preparing meals (you pay for your own food)

  • Participation in community activities and capacity-building opportunities within reason and in line with your NDIS goals.

STA is funded under Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life) and is generally available for up to 28 days per year, depending on individual needs and plan funding. It’s important to check with your Support Coordinator or LAC to determine if you’re eligible for STA and Accommodation.

Who Is STA For?

STA is for NDIS participants, and may be suitable in situations where:

  • Participants are seeking a break from their usual routine

  • Participants’ regular carers are in need of temporary break from their usual caring responsibilities

  • Participants are looking to develop independent living skills in a new environment

  • NDIS participants preparing for long-term housing or other transitions

We support people of all ages and abilities, including those with complex needs. Our team works closely with families, support coordinators and allied health professionals to ensure each stay is aligned with personal goals and support requirements.

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How it works

What You Can Expect

When you choose Good Company Disability Services for your STA needs, you can expect:

✅ Comfortable, accessible accommodation
✅ Qualified and/or experienced, compassionate support workers
✅ 24/7 support and supervision
✅ Tailored activity planning based on interests and goals
✅ Support to plan and prepare healthy meals (food is paid for by you, not your NDIS plan)
✅ Culturally responsive and inclusive care

All services are delivered in accordance with the NDIS Practice Standards and reflect pricing outlined in the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

STA Booking Process

  1. Contact our team to discuss your goals and support needs.

  2. We’ll work with you and your support network to conduct a needs assessment and, if STA aligns with your goals and support needs, plan your STA stay.

  3. Once NDIS funding is confirmed, we’ll coordinate your booking.

  4. You arrive and enjoy a tailored STA experience in a warm, welcoming setting.

We are happy to liaise with Support Coordinators and Plan Managers to ensure smooth planning and reporting.

How to Choose an NDIS Short Term Accommodation Provider

Whether you’re comparing NDIS respite providers or booking with us, these questions can help you choose with confidence:

  • Can you meet all of my support needs during the stay, including overnight support?
  • Where will I stay, is it shared or just for me, and can I visit before I book?
  • Who will support me, and can I meet them first?
  • How will the stay connect to my NDIS goals?
  • What will you claim from my plan, and what will I pay for myself, such as meals and activities?
  • How much notice do you need to cancel or change a booking?
  • How will you keep my family or carer updated during the stay?

Ask for a written service agreement and a clear quote before the stay. Our guide on how to choose an NDIS provider in Perth or Melbourne has more tips.

Pricing

STA is claimed in line with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits under Assistance with Daily Life. Since 1 July 2026, your support hours, your overnight accommodation and, where needed, support worker accommodation are claimed separately. Food and activity costs are not covered by STA funding. All costs are explained up front with no hidden fees.

It’s important to remember that the NDIA provides funding for disability related support, and not for the purpose of holidays, recreation, or entertainment. Should you wish to undertake paid recreational activities, we can support you to plan and book them as part of your support, however you will be required to pay for them privately.

Please note: The information referenced above are accurate according to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits in effect at the time of publication. However, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) may update or modify line items or pricing structures at any time. This is intended for informational purposes only and we recommend confirming current pricing arrangements with your support coordinator or plan manager.

How to Use Your NDIS Funding for Short Term Accommodation and Respite

NDIS short term accommodation gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements while someone else supports you. It also gives your family or carer a short break. Here is how the funding works under current NDIS rules.

Who the NDIS funds STA for

The NDIA usually funds STA if you live with, or get daily drop-in support from, family or other informal supports who give you more than 6 hours of disability-related support a day, on a long-term basis. At least one other factor must also apply. For example, your carer’s wellbeing or ability to keep caring is at risk, they have other caring responsibilities, or you need high intensity or intensive behaviour support.

How many days you can use

The NDIA generally funds up to 28 days of STA a year, for up to 14 days at a time. More may be funded in exceptional circumstances. STA sits in your Core budget as flexible funding, so spend it in line with your plan to make sure it lasts the whole plan period.

How STA is claimed from 1 July 2026

STA is no longer claimed as one daily price. Under the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27, providers claim separately for:

  • Support hours: the actual hours of support you receive, at rates that change by time of day and day of the week, plus sleepovers where needed.
  • Your accommodation: an amount for each overnight stay in standard accommodation with no extra inclusions, up to $162.85 a night outside remote areas in 2026–27.
  • Support worker accommodation: only when a support worker needs to stay with you overnight.

What STA funding doesn’t cover

STA funding can’t pay for food or meals, holiday packages or holiday accommodation, airfares, or activity costs like tickets and entry fees. It also doesn’t replace crisis accommodation. Read the NDIS page What is short-term accommodation or our article on the NDIS Price Guide 2026.

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Locations and Availability

We offer STA in a variety of home-style accommodation settings across Perth and Melbourne, with options for:

  • Individual or shared stays

  • Emergency respite

  • Weekend, weekday or multi-day bookings

Our team ensures all settings are safe, secure and in line with NDIS quality and safeguarding guidelines.

Short Term Accommodation and Respite in Perth

For Perth families, Good Company’s STA and assistance including respite means you can plan regular breaks close to home. NDIS guidance says short term accommodation is generally expected to be in your home state or territory, so most Perth participants will use their STA in Western Australia.

STA funding is flexible. You might use it one weekend a month, or save it for a longer block when your carer needs more time to rest. We can talk through which pattern suits your household and your plan.

If you already work with a Good Company NDIS mentor in Perth, let us know. A stay can build on the goals you are already working on. Call our Perth head office on 08 9334 6995 (9:00 to 17:30) or visit our Perth disability services page.

STA and Respite Care in Melbourne

Families in Melbourne can talk with our Victorian team about STA and assistance including respite. Good Company has in-person staff in Melbourne, including mentors on the Mornington Peninsula, so we can help you plan a stay that fits around your usual week, such as work, study, therapy and family routines.

Availability depends on the dates you want and the support you need during the stay. Getting in touch early gives you the best chance of booking dates that suit your family.

A stay can also link with other support you get from us, such as social and community participation or building self-care skills. See our Melbourne disability services page or call (03) 9069 7866.

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Questions

Short Term Accommodation (STA) and Assistance Including Respite FAQ

What is Short Term Accommodation (STA) under the NDIS?

Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides temporary accommodation and support for participants away from their usual home. It is designed to support participants to build independence, develop skills and experience a change of environment while continuing to work toward their goals.

STA often includes what is commonly referred to as respite. It can provide a short break for participants and their informal supports, while ensuring the participant continues to receive structured and goal-aligned support.

STA is typically funded for short periods, often up to 14 days at a time, depending on the participant’s plan and goals. The exact duration and frequency depend on individual funding arrangements.

STA generally includes:

  • Accommodation

  • Assistance with daily activities

  • Support to participate in community activities

  • Structured activities aligned with the participant’s goals

The level of support is tailored to the participant’s needs and plan.

STA can be delivered in different formats depending on availability, participant preference and funding. Some stays may involve shared accommodation, while others may be more individualised. The structure is discussed in advance to ensure suitability.

Short Term Accommodation may support goals related to:

  • Building independent living skills

  • Increasing social confidence

  • Developing daily living routines

  • Strengthening community participation

  • Trying new environments in a supported way

Supports remain aligned with the participant’s NDIS goals.

Yes. For some participants, STA can provide a structured opportunity to practise skills such as cooking, budgeting basics, managing routines and building confidence away from home.

No. While STA may include recreational and community activities, it is a structured support designed to build skills, independence and confidence. Activities are planned with purpose and aligned with participant goals. Any paid activities must be funded privately.

STA is generally funded under Core Supports, specifically Assistance with Daily Life. Participants should confirm with their support coordinator or plan manager how STA aligns with their individual plan.

Supports are delivered in accordance with safe work practices and participant-centred planning. Clear communication, structured planning and goal alignment are prioritised throughout the stay.

Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides temporary accommodation and support for participants away from their usual home. It is designed to support participants to build independence, develop skills and experience a change of environment while continuing to work toward their goals.

You’ll need NDIS funding that can be used for STA. The NDIA includes STA in plans as flexible funding in the Core budget, based on the support you usually need. Check your plan, or ask your support coordinator or plan manager. If your plan doesn’t include the STA you need, or your situation has changed, talk to your my NDIS contact or ask to change your plan. We confirm funding with you before any booking.

It can help. STA gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements while someone else supports you, so your carer can rest, recover or manage other caring responsibilities. When the NDIA decides whether to fund STA, it looks at things like whether your carer’s wellbeing or ability to keep caring is at risk. Tell us about your carer’s situation when you contact us.

Sometimes. Short-notice stays depend on the dates, the support you need and whether a suitable setting and support workers are available. Call 08 9334 6995 during office hours (9:00 to 17:30) and tell us how soon you need support. For planned stays, booking early gives you the best chance of getting the dates you want.

No. Under current NDIS rules, food and groceries are everyday living costs, so STA funding can’t be used for meals. You’ll need to buy or bring your own meals during a stay. If you need help to prepare meals, a support worker can help with this during the stay. We’ll explain any meal costs before you book.

Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides temporary accommodation and support for participants away from their usual home. It is designed to support participants to build independence, develop skills and experience a change of environment while continuing to work toward their goals.

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