In a move designed to better capture the purpose and value of temporary support arrangements, the NDIS has updated its description of Short Term Accommodation (STA), which will now be known as Short Term Respite or STR.
The change isn’t just in name. From the accommodation itself to the support provided and the vital role of informal carers in sustaining ongoing care relationships, it also provides a shift in focus.
The decision was made following extensive consultation with participants, their families, and caregivers. According to the NDIA, most people said that Short Term Respite better represents the heart of what the support delivers: a chance for participants and their primary informal supports to take a short, restorative break from their usual care arrangements.
While some stakeholders expressed concern about the word “respite,” many carers and families said it was familiar, meaningful, and aligned with their lived and living experience. After weighing all the feedback, the NDIA concluded that ‘Short Term Respite or STR’ was the clearest and most widely understood term.
“This change recognises the value of informal supports and the importance of helping families sustain their caring role,” the Agency said in a statement accompanying the update.
What’s New and What’s Staying the Same
For providers, Short Term Respite continues to serve the same functional purpose as STA, but with refined guidelines that clarify who can use it, what it includes, and how funding can be applied.
The updated Short Term Respite Guideline now outlines:
- Who can use the support: Participants who live with, or receive daily support from, their primary informal carers for more than six hours a day.
- What it includes: Everyday support and standard accommodation (for the participant, and if needed, their support worker).
- Where it can be used: In a range of settings, from a hotel or short-stay rental to the participant’s own home, if that helps provide a meaningful break.
- What it’s not for: Building new skills, holiday accommodation, or event attendance, those needs are covered by other supports.
Importantly, Short Term Respite is designed to give participants and their carers time apart and is not intended to teach new skills or deliver therapeutic programs. Providers should ensure their services reflect this intent.
Like its predecessor, Short Term Respite remains a flexible support funded through a participant’s core budget. Participants retain choice and control, but providers must ensure supports are in line with the new guideline and consistent with what the participant would typically receive at home.
Most participants will continue to be funded for up to 28 days per year, with no more than 14 days taken at a time. Providers are reminded to charge only for the supports actually delivered, ensuring transparency and fairness in billing.
The shift to Short Term Respite isn’t just about semantics. It reinforces a fundamental principle of the NDIS: supporting informal networks and maintaining sustainable care relationships.
By naming the support for what it truly offers, which is ultimately ‘respite’, the NDIA is acknowledging the essential, ongoing role that families and carers play, while ensuring the scheme continues to support both participants and those who care for them.
What Providers Need To Do Now
Providers are encouraged to:
- Review and update service descriptions, agreements, and marketing materials to use the term Short Term Respite.
- Familiarise themselves with the new Short Term Respite Guideline.
- Discuss the change with participants and their carers to ensure clear understanding of what’s included — and what’s not.
- Align booking, pricing, and billing practices with the clarified rules around flexibility and funding.
For more information, visit the updated Short Term Respite Guideline on the NDIS website or speak with your local NDIS contact. With all these changes, we will continue to provide you with regular updates, so please stay tuned for more!
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Author: Amanda Robinson BA, MMHealthPrac,
As Head of Learning and Development and a seasoned NDIS expert, Amanda drives capability and sustainability in the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, post-graduate qualifications in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and currently pursuing an MBA, she brings deep expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A devoted carer, Amanda champions Human Rights, working to dismantle stigma and barriers for individuals with disability and mental health challenges. She is passionate about building robust stakeholder relationships, leveraging her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analysis skills.
