One of the most common questions our First2Care support team get asked is – “is short term accommodation a holiday?”. Although at first they might seem like the same thing, short term accommodation and holidays are actually very different… and the NDIS can only fund one of them.
What is Short Term Accommodation
Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a claimable* support under the NDIS for when you need to be away from your place of residence for a short amount of time. STA funding can be used for respite to support you and your carers, which can also give your carers a short break from their caring role.
Typically, the NDIS can fund up to 28 days of STA per year. This funding can be used flexibly to suit you and your carers needs. That may be one weekend a month, one week every 3 months or even the whole 28 days.
STA can include:
Personal care
Accommodation
Food
Activities
STA can provide you with the chance to try new things or develop new skills, it can be a place to make new friends, or even help to maintain your current living situation by giving your informal supports a break.
*Whenever you want to use your NDIS funding to cover a support, it’s important to consider if the support meets the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria. If you’re unsure, you can click here to access our downloadable NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Checklist. Alternatively, you can contact your support coordinator or our First2Care support team.
STA vs. Holiday
You might be thinking “STA definitely sounds like a holiday”, and you’re not alone. Many NDIS participants have expressed confusion around the difference between STA and holidays. To make it easy for you here is a breakdown…
| STA | Holiday |
NDIS funding | NDIS can fund STA if it meets the reasonable and necessary criteria | NDIS won’t fund a holiday, as the costs associated with a holiday would need to be paid by anyone, regardless of whether they have a disability |
Pricing | Funding is typically set as a group price unless there are special circumstances. | Prices are laid out by the company and do not have to adhere to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. |
Prepayment | Prepayment is not required (the NDIS do not accept prepayment of supports; payment can only be processed once the support is delivered). | Prepayment is typically necessary. |
Service Agreements | Service agreements are highly recommended for NDIS registered and unregistered providers. Having a service agreement in place for your STA is vital to ensure that you know what supports are being provided, pricing and other key details. | It is important to be cautious of companies who claim to provide STA supports who either ask for prepayment and/or do not have a service agreement in place |
Disability Related Services | STA provides supports to help you with your disability related needs | If you are not receiving support work or assistance directly related to your disability, this is most likely a holiday and may not be suitable for STA claiming |
STA FAQs
Do I have funding for STA?
The NDIS funds STA under the Core Support category ‘Assistance with Daily Living’ (Category 1). Which means, if you have been funded for ‘Assistance with Daily Living’ you can use that funding for STA or respite. However, it is vital that you ensure that you have enough funding for your day-to-day supports before using that funding on STA or respite. The best way to be sure of this is to ask for a quote or draft service agreement from your STA provider.
Does STA need to be stated in my plan?
No, it doesn’t. If STA or respite isn’t stated in your plan and you have available funding in your Core budget, you can use that funding for a range of supports including STA where it meets the NDIA’s reasonable and necessary criteria.
Can my carer or current supports come with me?
Unfortunately, there is no simple yes or no answer to this question. In most cases, the intention behind providing STA or respite is to give both you and your carer the opportunity to spend some time apart. STA and respite can be useful in preventing carer burn out and provides a chance for the participant to live more independently.
Can STA be used in a crisis?
STA is not for housing crisis situations. STA can only be funded where the need relates directly to your disability. In situations where a crisis can occur, such as your carers suddenly can’t care for you, or you’re at risk of harm in your current home, the NDIA can help you work out the best option to meet your support needs.
Okay, but what if I actually want a holiday?
That’s fine! Everyone wants and needs a holiday every now and then. However, the NDIS cannot fund a holiday. What they could do is support you to plan a holiday. When you have your plan reassessment, you can let your planner know that one of your goals is to plan a holiday. You may receive funding in your capacity building budget which could help you to reach your holiday goal.
Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.