NDIS Respite & Short-Term Accommodation (STA) in Sydney
LYFIT helps participants, families and support coordinators explore planned Short-Term Accommodation (STA) when usual informal supports need a break. We review individual support requirements, suitable accommodation, funding and current staffing before confirming any stay.
A Temporary Place to Stay
A supportive environment away from the participant’s usual home.
Personalised Assistance
Support is planned around routines, goals and individual needs.
New Experiences
Opportunities to enjoy activities and build confidence.
Support for Families
Planned respite can provide time for informal supports to rest.
What Is NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA)?
Short-Term Accommodation (STA), sometimes called NDIS respite, provides eligible disability-related support and standard accommodation for a short time away from a participant’s usual care arrangements. The main purpose is to give primary informal supporters, such as family or carers, a break.
The NDIA changed the official name back to Short-Term Accommodation in July 2026. STA may be considered where a participant relies on substantial regular informal support; eligibility and funding are decided under their individual NDIS plan and current NDIA guidance.
A stay is planned around the participant’s communication, routines, privacy, support requirements and safety. It is not automatically funded as a holiday, recreational break or a way to try independent living.
Discuss a planned STA stayWhat May Be Included in Respite and STA?
These are examples of support arrangements that may be planned for a suitable stay. The services provided and charges depend on assessed needs, participant choice, funding and the signed service agreement.
Accommodation
A suitable standard short-stay setting, where the accommodation component is funded and the property is available.
Personal Care
Assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting and other personal routines where required.
Meals and Food Preparation
Assistance with meal planning, preparing and eating food where relevant. Groceries and meal costs themselves are not covered by STA funding.
Daily Living Support
Assistance with household tasks, organising belongings and following daily routines.
Community Activities
Disability-related assistance to participate in appropriate activities. Tickets, admissions and entertainment costs must be paid separately.
Medication Assistance
Medication-related assistance only where the required instructions, worker competence and staffing arrangements have been verified.
Skill Development
Everyday routines may offer chances to practise skills, but skill-building or holidays alone do not establish STA funding eligibility.
Overnight Support
Overnight arrangements are assessed according to participant needs, funding and available staffing.
STA Funding: What Is and Isn't Covered?
Under the NDIA's July 2026 guidance, Short-Term Accommodation funding is for approved disability-related supports and standard accommodation during a break from usual informal care. Charges need to align with the current pricing schedule and the participant's plan.
What may be funded
- Disability-related support with daily personal activities, including showering, dressing, meal preparation and other agreed assistance.
- Suitable standard temporary accommodation where this component is included in approved STA funding.
- Agreed support-worker arrangements and eligible accommodation components, claimed under applicable NDIS support items.
What STA funding does not cover
- Food, groceries or meal costs, even when someone receives assistance to prepare or eat meals.
- Holiday packages, holiday accommodation, flights or unrelated travel expenses.
- Tickets, admission fees, entertainment, tourist activities or other ordinary personal expenses.
Read the NDIA's current Short-Term Accommodation guidance and NDIS pricing arrangements.
Who May Be Eligible for NDIS Respite (STA)?
STA is generally intended to sustain regular informal care arrangements. The NDIA considers the participant’s support needs, their usual care arrangements and their plan when deciding eligibility.
People Reliant on Informal Care
Participants receiving substantial regular disability-related support from family, friends or other informal carers.
Participants With Daily Support Needs
People who rely on primary informal supports or daily drop-in assistance and need suitable support during a short break.
Carers Who Need a Planned Break
Families and carers needing time apart from usual disability-related care arrangements so they can continue supporting the participant.
People Requiring Tailored Support
Participants needing specific personal care, communication, staffing or accessibility arrangements during a suitable short stay.
Different Types of Short-Term Stays
The timing and length of an eligible respite stay must match the participant’s plan and current availability. Discuss dates and the main purpose of the stay with LYFIT before making any arrangements.
Planned Overnight Stay
A scheduled short stay arranged in advance.
Weekend Respite
A short weekend stay with agreed support and activities.
Short Stay With Everyday Routines
A planned respite stay that maintains daily routines and may also offer appropriate opportunities to practise skills.
A Gradual Introduction
An introduction to the setting and support arrangements where a suitable respite stay is available and funded.
Activities During an STA Stay
Activities may be discussed as part of a comfortable stay, but STA funding does not pay for entertainment, admission fees or holiday activities. Confirm any personal costs before booking.
Community Outings
Visits to parks, shopping centres, cafés or suitable community locations.
Recreational Activities
Games, creative activities and leisure may be arranged separately; activity fees are not funded by STA.
Household Skills
Meal preparation, cleaning, organising belongings and following routines.
Health and Wellbeing
Suitable walks, relaxation, routines and activities that support wellbeing.
Personal Goals
Activities connected to the participant’s individual goals and preferences.
Social Confidence
Opportunities to practise communication, choice and social participation.
Planning a Safe and Comfortable Stay
Before confirming a stay, LYFIT will need to review relevant care plans, support ratios, communication needs and safety arrangements through an agreed secure referral process.
Communication method and preferences
Personal care and mobility requirements
Medication and health information
Food, dietary and allergy information
Behaviour support strategies and triggers
Emergency contacts and authorised representatives
How to Arrange Respite or STA
Participants, authorised family members, carers and support coordinators can make an initial enquiry. Please do not upload or email clinical records through the general website form.
Submit a Referral
Provide a contact person, preferred dates, suburb and short non-sensitive summary of required assistance.
Discuss Support Needs
We discuss routines, goals, risks, staffing and accommodation requirements.
Review Suitability
LYFIT checks accommodation, participant compatibility, funding and available support capacity.
Confirm the Stay
The stay can be confirmed after required documents, agreements and arrangements are completed.
Preparing for a Short-Term Stay
Comfortable clothing and sleepwear
Personal hygiene items
Medication in the required packaging
Mobility, communication or sensory equipment
Comfort items and preferred activities
Relevant documents and emergency information
Respite and STA Across Sydney
LYFIT welcomes enquiries from South-Western and Western Sydney. Accommodation and worker availability vary by location and the participant’s requirements.
Ask about available dates and specific property accessibility before making plans. The list of suburbs is an enquiry area, not a list of confirmed vacancies.
Plan a Safe and Comfortable Short Stay
LYFIT reviews each respite and STA enquiry individually, considering the participant’s goals, support needs, funding, compatibility, accessibility requirements and current accommodation capacity.
Trial Stays and Transition Planning
A gradual introduction may help participants become familiar with the environment, staff and daily routines before a longer stay.
Review the Referral
Discuss participant goals, support needs, communication, behaviours, health information and preferred dates.
Visit or Meet
Arrange a suitable introduction or property visit where available and appropriate for the participant.
Plan the Stay
Confirm staffing, routines, medication, meals, activities, transport and emergency arrangements.
Review the Experience
Gather participant and representative feedback before considering future or longer respite stays.
Staffing and Support Arrangements
Staffing is planned according to the participant’s assessed needs, approved funding, support ratio and current worker availability.
- ✓ Personal care and daily routine assistance
- ✓ Communication and behaviour support information
- ✓ Overnight arrangements reviewed before acceptance
- ✓ Specialised support confirmed separately where required
Accessibility and Property Suitability
Property suitability is reviewed against the participant’s mobility, equipment, personal-care and environmental requirements.
- ✓ Entry, bathroom and bedroom access considered
- ✓ Mobility equipment and transfer needs reviewed
- ✓ Sensory and environmental preferences discussed
- ✓ Accessibility must be confirmed for the specific property
Current Availability Must Be Confirmed
Available dates, room suitability, staffing, support ratios and participant compatibility must be reviewed before a respite or STA booking is confirmed.
Enquire About Respite or STA
Tell LYFIT the requested dates, area and a brief summary of support needs. The team will explain how to review eligibility, confirm availability, agree on charges and securely share relevant care documents.
A referral does not guarantee availability or NDIS payment. Charges and any personal expenses must be explained and agreed before a stay begins.
Personalised Respite and STA Support
Our approach focuses on participant dignity, safety, choice, communication and meaningful experiences.
Individual Planning
Every stay is planned according to the participant’s needs and preferences.
Choice and Control
Participants are supported to make choices about activities and daily routines.
Focus on Safety
Relevant risks, health information and support plans are reviewed.
Skill Development
Everyday activities can become opportunities to build greater independence.
Clear Communication
Information is shared with participants and authorised representatives.
Support Network Collaboration
LYFIT can work with families and professionals where consent is provided.
NDIS Respite and STA FAQs
What is NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA)?
STA gives an eligible participant disability-related support and standard temporary accommodation while their usual primary informal supports take a short break. It is not a holiday entitlement.
Is respite the same as STA?
Respite is a familiar description for time apart from usual care. The official NDIS term returned to Short-Term Accommodation (STA) in July 2026.
How long can an STA stay be funded?
For eligible participants, the NDIS usually funds up to 28 days per year, commonly in blocks of no more than 14 days at a time. The participant’s approved plan and current NDIA guidelines determine what applies.
Are meals, outings and activities funded by STA?
STA funding can cover eligible support and standard accommodation, but not food or meals, entertainment admissions, holidays or airfares. Assistance with preparing meals or accessing the community may be funded as a disability-related support when applicable.
Can LYFIT support participants with higher support needs?
LYFIT reviews each referral individually, including participant-specific instructions, risks, accessibility, worker competency, available accommodation and staffing. No particular support or property is guaranteed.
Can I visit a property before a stay?
An introduction or property viewing may be arranged where suitable and available. Confirm accessibility and support arrangements directly with the team.
How do I enquire or refer someone?
Use the LYFIT website enquiry form or Contact & Referrals page with preferred dates, suburb and a brief summary. Do not submit NDIS numbers, diagnoses or clinical documents through the general enquiry form; LYFIT will advise a secure process when these are required.
Looking for Respite or STA in Sydney?
Submit a referral or contact LYFIT to discuss accommodation, preferred dates and participant support requirements.