NDIS Renames Short Term Accommodation to Short Term Respite Amid Updated Guidelines

The National Disability Insurance Agency has formally replaced the term Short Term Accommodation with Short Term Respite, signalling a clearer focus on supporting both participants and the informal carers who play a central role in their daily lives. The change, which is now being adopted across the disability sector, aims to reduce confusion about what the support is designed to achieve within the NDIS.

Short Term Respite provides temporary support when carers need a break due to personal commitments, fatigue, illness, or unexpected circumstances. By shifting away from the older accommodation-focused term, the NDIA intends to emphasise that the support is primarily about respite and continuity of care rather than simply providing a place to stay.

Under the revised approach, STR is generally considered reasonable and necessary when a participant relies heavily on informal supports. Funding is usually approved when the carer needs time away to manage their own wellbeing or commitments, provided that the participant’s safety and support needs can continue to be met in an alternative environment. The NDIS typically allows up to 28 days of respite each year, which can be used flexibly as single days, weekends, or longer blocks.

The support package may include accommodation, meals, personal care, support worker assistance, and structured activities that help promote engagement and independence. While the environment may vary between providers, the aim remains consistent: ensuring participants have stable, meaningful support during the respite period. Participants who already receive intensive paid daily support, such as those living in Supported Independent Living, may have limited access to STR unless special circumstances apply.

Families and carers are expected to benefit from the more explicit framing of the support. By clarifying the purpose of STR, the NDIA hopes to strengthen long-term caring arrangements and safeguard the wellbeing of carers who manage significant daily responsibilities. Participants, meanwhile, may experience improved social interaction, a change of routine, and opportunities to build confidence and daily living skills through structured activities.

Many providers have welcomed the clearer guidelines, noting that the shift from STA to STR reduces misunderstandings about what the NDIS will fund. The updated framework also encourages providers to refine their service descriptions, documentation, and marketing materials to reflect the new terminology and expectations.

While the change may appear minor at first glance, it reflects the agency’s broader effort to ensure NDIS supports are used appropriately and effectively. Short Term Respite remains a crucial component of the scheme, particularly for households that depend on informal care. With the updated naming and guidelines now in place, participants and providers are encouraged to remain up to date with ongoing NDIS developments that may further refine access and support structures.