NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) may be available to participants whose disability-related support needs and usual care arrangements mean a short period of supported accommodation is appropriate. The NDIS considers individual circumstances rather than using a simple “disability = STA” rule.
The NDIS specifically says you may be able to receive STA funding if you:
- live with primary informal supports such as family, friends or a carer, or receive daily drop-in support; and
- receive disability-related support from a primary informal support for more than six hours a day.
However, meeting these circumstances does not mean STA is automatically approved.
The NDIS also considers whether STA relates to your disability, supports your goals, helps you participate in the community, provides value for money and is appropriate considering the support provided by your family or other informal supports.
Is STA only for people who live with their family?
No.
Living with family or another informal support is one situation the NDIS specifically considers, but STA decisions are based on the participant’s individual circumstances and support needs.
The NDIS also recognises situations involving participants who receive daily drop-in support or who have significant disability-related support from an informal support person.
The key question is not simply:
“Where do you live?”
It is:
“Why is short-term supported accommodation appropriate for your disability-related support needs and circumstances?”
Do you have to be an NDIS participant?
STA is an NDIS support, so access to NDIS-funded STA depends on being eligible for and funded under the NDIS.
NDIS eligibility itself has separate requirements, including residence requirements. Current NDIS guidance says a person must meet the applicable residence requirements, such as being an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category visa holder, and must live in Australia and spend most of their time here.
However, being an NDIS participant does not automatically mean STA will be included in your plan.
STA funding is considered according to the participant’s individual needs and circumstances.
Can children access NDIS STA?
Yes, in some circumstances.
The NDIS may fund short-term accommodation for participants under 18 where their disability-related support needs are greater than what would typically be expected for their age, or where short-term accommodation can help their family continue providing care.
However, STA does not replace ordinary parenting responsibilities.
For example, the NDIS does not treat ordinary responsibilities such as helping a child with toileting, settling to sleep or routine babysitting as disability-related STA support.
For children, the participant’s disability-related needs and the family’s circumstances need to be considered carefully.
Can adults access STA?
Yes.
Adults may access STA where it is an appropriate and funded support based on their disability-related needs and circumstances.
For some adults, a short stay may help maintain their current living arrangements by providing their informal supports with a break. It may also provide opportunities to participate in activities, develop skills or spend time in a different environment.
The important factor is the reason the support is needed, not simply the participant’s age.
Can someone living independently access STA?
This needs to be considered carefully.
STA is not automatically available simply because someone wants to stay somewhere different for a few days.
The NDIS considers the participant’s disability-related support needs, usual support arrangements and the purpose of the proposed support.
Accessible STA also offers supported holidays for some participants who may not be eligible for STA, including people who live independently or in Supported Independent Living and people who live with informal supports but want to spend time away with family or friends.
That distinction is important.
If you are unsure whether STA or another support arrangement is appropriate, discuss your circumstances with your my NDIS contact or Support Coordinator.
What does the NDIS look at when deciding about STA?
The NDIS considers several factors.
1. Is the support related to your disability?
The need for STA must be connected to disability-related support needs.
2. Does it help you pursue your goals?
The NDIS considers whether the support helps you work toward your goals.
3. Does it support community participation?
The NDIS can consider whether STA helps you participate in the community and develop or maintain independence.
4. Is it value for money?
Value for money is one of the factors considered when determining whether a support meets the NDIS funding criteria.
5. What support do your family and informal supports provide?
The NDIS considers the role and capacity of informal supports, including family and carers.
What are some situations where STA may be appropriate?
Every participant is different, but STA may be considered where a participant’s circumstances indicate a genuine need for short-term supported accommodation.
For example:
Your usual carer needs a short break
STA can give a participant time away from their usual care arrangement while their informal support has a short break from their caring responsibilities.
You need a different support environment for a short period
A short stay may provide an opportunity to maintain routines, participate in activities or develop skills in a different setting.
Your support network is temporarily unavailable
STA may be appropriate where the participant’s usual support network is not available for a short period, subject to the NDIS funding criteria.
A short stay helps maintain your current living arrangement
The NDIS recognises that STA can sometimes help sustain a participant’s usual living arrangement by giving informal supports a break.
These are examples, not automatic eligibility rules.
Who may not be eligible for NDIS STA?
Being an NDIS participant does not automatically create an entitlement to STA.
STA may not be appropriate where:
- the proposed stay is simply a holiday without an approved disability-related support purpose
- the support duplicates another funded support
- the request does not relate to disability-related needs
- another mainstream or community support is more appropriate
- the proposed expenses are not allowable under NDIS rules
- the participant does not have appropriate STA funding in their plan
The NDIS specifically states that STA does not replace normal time away such as school, work or community activities, and it does not replace mainstream or community supports such as crisis accommodation.
Does having STA funding mean you can choose any provider?
Having funding does not mean every accommodation option will automatically be suitable.
When choosing a provider, consider:
- accessibility of the accommodation
- level of personal care required
- overnight support needs
- nursing requirements
- support worker arrangements
- community access
- transport
- location
- accommodation type
- provider pricing and claiming arrangements
This is particularly important for participants with complex or higher support needs.
Accessible STA provides individual standard and accessible suites in Pelican Waters, Sunshine Coast, together with support options including Support Workers, Registered Nurses and Paediatric Nurses.
What if STA isn’t included in my NDIS plan?
If you believe you need STA but it is not currently included in your plan, you should discuss your circumstances with your my NDIS contact.
The NDIS says participants can ask to change their plan if their current plan does not include the short-term accommodation support they need or if their circumstances have changed.
Your Support Coordinator, where applicable, may also help you understand your current funding and prepare information about your support needs.
How can I prepare for an STA discussion?
Before speaking with the NDIS or your Support Coordinator, consider:
Your current living arrangement
Who normally provides your support?
Your support needs
What assistance do you need during the day or overnight?
Why you need STA
What problem would a short stay help address?
Your goals
How could the stay help you maintain independence, participate in the community or maintain your current living arrangement?
How often you may need it
Would you benefit from occasional weekends, regular short stays or another arrangement?
Accessibility requirements
What accommodation features or equipment do you need?
Having clear information about these points can make conversations about your support needs more useful.
Who can access NDIS STA? Quick answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to be an NDIS participant? | Yes, STA is an NDIS-funded support. |
| Does every NDIS participant get STA? | No. STA funding is based on individual circumstances and support needs. |
| Can people living with family access STA? | Yes, this is one of the circumstances the NDIS specifically considers. |
| Can adults access STA? | Yes, where STA is appropriate and funded. |
| Can children access STA? | Yes, in some circumstances where disability-related support needs are greater than typical for their age or it supports the family’s ongoing caring role. |
| Is STA just holiday accommodation? | No. It is intended to provide disability-related support during a short stay. |
| Is 28 days automatic? | No. Most eligible participants can generally receive up to 28 days, but funding depends on individual circumstances. |
| What if STA isn’t in my plan? | Speak with your my NDIS contact about your circumstances and support needs. |
Need help understanding your STA options?
Understanding whether STA is appropriate can be difficult, particularly when you are comparing accommodation, accessibility and support requirements at the same time.
Accessible STA provides standard and accessible accommodation in Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast, with support options that can include Support Workers, Registered Nurses, Paediatric Nurses, community access and transport.
If you already have STA funding, or you are discussing whether STA may be appropriate for your circumstances, you can contact the Accessible STA team to discuss your accommodation and support requirements.
[Explore NDIS Short Term Accommodation]
NDIS funding decisions are individual. This article provides general information and should not be treated as confirmation that a particular participant is eligible for STA funding. Always check the latest NDIS guidance and your own plan.
