Short-term accommodation (STA) is NDIS funding for a short break from a participant's usual living arrangements, so that they and their family carer can have time apart. Since late 2025 the NDIS has called it Short Term Respite (STR), and most participants who are funded for it can use up to 28 days a year, in blocks of no more than 14 days.
St Anastasia's Care is a family-owned, NDIS-registered provider. We provide home-based respite and support, including overnight and 24-hour support at home, and we do not run accommodation houses. This guide explains how STA funding works, how to ask for it, and where home-based support fits in. Questions? Call 1300 055 918.
What is Short-Term Accommodation?
Short-Term Accommodation is NDIS funding for a short break from usual living arrangements, covering everyday support and standard accommodation costs. The NDIS now calls it Short Term Respite (STR), but many families and providers still say STA. Most participants who are funded for it can use up to 28 days a year, with no more than 14 days at a time. Check the current guideline at ndis.gov.au, as rules can change.
STA has two main purposes:
Carer respite
Gives family carers an extended break, knowing their loved one is supported and accommodated elsewhere.
Time apart
Gives participants a change of scene and time apart from their usual carers. The NDIS guideline says it is not for building new skills, holiday accommodation or attending events.
STA vs Respite Care: What's the Difference?
STA and respite care are closely related, and the NDIS now treats STA as a form of respite. In everyday use, though, they often mean different things:
How Much STA Funding Can You Get?
Most funded participants can use up to 28 days a year, with no more than 14 days at a time. It comes from Core Supports, and the amount in your own plan depends on your circumstances. See how NDIS funding works for the basics, and check your plan or ask your support coordinator.
STA generally covers:
- Standard accommodation costs
- Everyday support during the stay
- Personal care you would normally receive at home
How to Get STA in Your NDIS Plan
STA must be included in your NDIS plan — it won't automatically appear. New to all this? Start with our getting started with the NDIS page. Here's how to ask for it:
Request it at your plan meeting
Tell your planner or Local Area Coordinator that you need STA (Short Term Respite) funding. Explain why — carer burnout risk, need for independence experience, or another reason.
Provide evidence
A letter from your GP, OT, or support coordinator supporting the need for STA strengthens your request significantly.
Frame it as participant benefit
Explain why the break matters for the participant as well as the carer, and how your current arrangements are working.
Already have a plan? Request a review
If STA isn't in your current plan but you need it, ask your support coordinator about requesting a plan review.
STA and Overnight Supports in Sutherland Shire
St Anastasia's Care provides home-based respite and support across the Sutherland Shire and St George region, including overnight supports and 24-hour support at home. We do not operate accommodation houses or STA beds, so we cannot provide a stay away from home.
What we can do is help you understand your options, and provide respite care at home where that suits your family. We support people in Sutherland, Miranda, Caringbah, Cronulla and the St George area. For more detail, read our guide to respite care in Sutherland Shire.
Not sure what your plan allows?
Call 1300 055 918 or contact us online. We respond to every enquiry within 24 hours. You can also read our FAQs.
“A good break gives everyone, the participant and the carer, space to breathe and recharge. We are always happy to talk through what that could look like for your family.”
— St Anastasia's Care
Last updated 8 November 2026. Written by St Anastasia's Care (NDIS Registration ID 4050169615). Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only. NDIS funding rules change regularly — always verify current information at ndis.gov.au. Full disclaimer →