NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) and Respite Care in Adelaide
Care Assure provides NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) and respite care in Adelaide. Our Adelaide STA homes offer fully supported short-stay accommodation for NDIS participants.
What is NDIS Short Term Accommodation?
NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a Core Supports service that funds a temporary supported stay away from home. The NDIS uses the term interchangeably with respite care, though they are not exactly the same thing. STA is the formal NDIS budget line; respite care is the broader category that includes STA, carer respite, and community-based respite.
Under the NDIS, STA funding covers everything that happens during your stay: accommodation, meals and food, personal care support, and organised activities. You do not pay for these out of your own pocket. They are bundled into a daily rate funded by your NDIS plan.
STA is different from a holiday. It is a disability support that must be linked to your NDIS goals. Your time during STA should either give your regular carer a break, help you practise daily living skills, experience new environments, or build your confidence for more independent living.
Who Can Access NDIS Short-Term Accommodation?
STA is available to NDIS participants of any age who have STA funding in their NDIS plan.
You may be eligible for STA funding if:
- Your regular carer needs a break to rest, travel, or manage their own health
- You want to trial living away from home in a supported environment
- You are transitioning between housing arrangements and need temporary supported care
- You need a supported break from your usual routine
- You want to develop daily living skills in a new setting
- You have complex care needs that require supported accommodation during an emergency
Most NDIS participants are eligible for at least some STA funding. If STA is not currently in your plan, your support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can request a plan review and add it.
What Does NDIS STA Include?
The daily STA rate funded by the NDIS covers everything bundled into your stay.
At Care Assure, this include:
- Accommodation: A private bedroom in a Care Assure STA home with shared living areas, kitchen, and outdoor space.
- Meals: Three meals per day prepared by our team, plus snacks. Dietary requirements and preferences are accommodated.
- Personal care: Assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, and medication administration as required by your care plan.
- Activities: Community outings, cultural visits, sport and recreation, arts and crafts, and social events, depending on your interests and goals.
- 24-hour support: Support workers available around the clock during your stay, with overnight active support where required.
- Transport: Assistance with travel to and from activities during your stay.
STA does not cover the cost of your transport to and from Care Assure at the start and end of your stay. Your NDIS plan may include transport funding separately, or your support coordinator can help arrange travel.
Short-Term Accommodations at Care Assure
Care Assure provides Short Term Accommodation across Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Mount Barker, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Hobart. Every stay includes accommodation, personal care, meals, daily living assistance and activities, funded as an all-inclusive daily rate through your Core Supports budget.
- For Rent
- SDA - HPS
28 Matteo circle, Claremont Tas 7011
- For Rent
- SIL
2 Barrie Robran Gate, Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
- For Rent
- SIL
3 Barrie Robran Gate, Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
What Does NDIS MTA Include and What Is Not Covered?
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of MTA. Unlike STA (respite), which is an all-inclusive package, MTA covers only the cost of your accommodation.
| Feature | STA (Short Term Accommodation) | MTA (Medium Term Accommodation) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Short respite stay; carer break; new experience | Transitional housing while waiting for permanent accommodation |
| Duration | Up to 14 consecutive days; up to 28 days per year | Up to 90 days (can be extended in some cases) |
| Budget line | Core Supports | Core Supports |
| What it covers | Accommodation, meals, personal care, activities | Accommodation and basic support during transition |
| Who uses it | Participants wanting a break from home or regular care | Participants between SDA placements, leaving the hospital, or in a housing crisis |
| Available at Care Assure | Yes, SA and TAS locations | Yes, SA and TAS locations |
If you are not sure whether you need STA or MTA, contact our team, and we will help you work out which support is right for your situation and which funding category applies to your plan.
How Much NDIS STA Funding Can I Access?
STA is funded through your Core Supports budget at a daily rate set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. The amount in your plan depends on your assessed support needs here is what you need to know.
14 consecutive days
maximum
A single STA booking cannot exceed 14 days in a row. For longer breaks, two separate bookings across the year can be arranged.
Up to 28 days per
year
Your plan allocates a total annual STA budget. Most participants receive up to 28 days, though your planner may allocate more or less based on your assessed needs.
Funded under Core
Supports
STA sits under the Assistance with Daily Life category in your Core Supports budget. It covers accommodation, meals, personal care, and activities — all included in the daily rate.
Split your days
flexibly
You do not have to use your STA days in one block. A weekend per month, a 14-day stay, or any other split across the year all work within your allocation.
Not sure what is in
your plan?
Your plan manager or support coordinator can check your current STA allocation. If STA is not yet in your plan, they can request a plan review to add it.
Emergency and Unplanned Respite Care
Emergencies happen. A carer may suddenly become ill, have a family crisis, or be hospitalised. In these situations, participants may need emergency short-term accommodation at short notice.
Care Assure accepts emergency STA bookings subject to vacancy availability. If you are a support coordinator or family member managing an urgent situation, contact our team directly by phone, and we will do our best to find a same-day or next-day placement.
For NDIS-funded emergency STA, the same daily rate applies. If the participant does not yet have STA funding in their plan, emergency options may still be available through their support coordinator or LAC, who can access unplanned supports under the NDIS Early Intervention and Crisis provisions.
Short-Term Accommodation for Children with Disabilities
Care Assure provides STA for children and young people with disabilities. We understand that families of children with significant support needs often have very limited respite options, and that a safe, well-supported break for both the child and the family is not a luxury but a necessity.
Our staff who work with children and young people receive specialist training in paediatric disability support, including behaviour support, sensory sensitivities, communication needs, and working with autistic children and children with additional needs.
When planning a child's STA stay, we work closely with the family, the child's support coordinator, and any therapists or educators involved in their care. Our goal is for the child to feel safe, settled, and genuinely supported from the moment they arrive.
If your child has never stayed away from home before, we offer pre-visit tours and family orientation visits to help everyone feel comfortable before the first stay.
Short-Term Respite for Adults with Learning Disabilities
STA for adults ranges from a few nights to up to 14 consecutive days. Care Assure's adult STA homes are designed for participants who want to experience life away from home in a supported environment that respects their independence, choices, and personal goals.
Adults staying with Care Assure can expect:
- Their own private bedroom in a shared-living home
- A personalised daily routine built around their preferences
- Community outings, social events, and activities matched to their interests
- Support from trained staff familiar with complex care needs
- Consistent care from workers who have read their care plan before the stay begins
For adults with complex behaviour support needs, we ask that their Behaviour Support Plan be shared with us before their stay so our team can provide appropriate support from day one.
Respite Care for Carers and Families
Caring for someone with a disability full-time is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. STA gives carers a genuine, planned break, and Care Assure makes the handover as simple as possible.
01
Pre-stay meeting
We meet with you before the stay to go through care needs, daily routines, and personal preferences so nothing is left to guesswork.
02
Care plan confirmation
We confirm the care plan with your participant and any relevant health professionals before they arrive.
03
Updates during the
stay
We keep you informed during the stay if you want to hear from us, or give you complete space to rest if you prefer.
04
Proper handover on
return
When your participant returns home, we conduct a thorough handover to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.
What our client says about us?
Care Assure’s Supported Independent Living program has given me a newfound sense of independence. Their team is so supportive and accommodating, ensuring my needs are met every step of the way. I finally feel empowered to lead my life on my terms!
What Can I Do During My STA Stay?
Care Assure plans activities around each participant's interests, goals, and capacity. We do not run a one-size programme. Your stay is built around what you enjoy and what will help you meet your NDIS goals.
Typical activities available during STA at Care Assure include:
- Community outings: Markets, cinemas, restaurants, parks, beaches, sports events, and cultural visits.
- Day trips: Full-day excursions to local attractions, nature reserves, or events in the region.
- Social activities: Group events, game nights, cooking sessions, and activities with other residents.
- Skill-building: Cooking, budgeting, transport navigation, and other daily living skills worked toward your NDIS goals.
- Relaxation and wellbeing: Shorter activities for participants who prefer quieter, lower-intensity stays.
We discuss activities with participants and their families before the stay, so everyone knows what to expect. Participants always have the right to decline any activity and choose to rest instead.
NDIS MTA Homes Adelaide, SA
Care Assure operates medium-term accommodation homes across South Australia and Tasmania. Our properties are accessible, staffed, and designed for participants who may have complex care needs during their transitional period.
- Adelaide (SA): Our primary STA base. Multiple STA homes across greater Adelaide are suitable for adults and children with varying support needs.
- Mount Gambier (SA): STA accommodation in regional SA, suited to participants from the South East of South Australia.
- Mount Barker (SA): Adelaide Hills location with access to nature, markets, and community activities.
- Port Augusta (SA): Regional hub for participants in the upper Spencer Gulf region.
- Whyalla (SA): STA options in Whyalla for participants in the mid-north of SA.
How to Arrange MTA with Care Assure
Confirm that your plan includes STA funding under Core Supports. Your support coordinator or plan manager can check this.
Call (08) 7071 9276 or submit an inquiry through this page. Tell us your preferred location, the dates you need, and a brief summary of your support requirements.
Our intake team will discuss your needs, the participant's care plan, and available vacancies. For first-time stays, we may arrange a pre-visit or orientation call.
Once a vacancy is confirmed, we finalise the care plan for the stay and confirm activities, dietary requirements, and any specialist support needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is NDIS Short Term Accommodation?
NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a funded disability support that pays for a temporary supported stay away from home. The NDIS funds STA under Core Supports, covering accommodation, meals, personal care, and activities. Participants can access up to 14 consecutive days and up to 28 days per year under standard STA funding.
- What is the difference between STA and respite care?
STA (Short Term Accommodation) is the formal NDIS budget category. Respite care is the broader term for any short-term supported break for a participant and their carer. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. NDIS-funded STA is one form of respite care; there are also community-based and in-home respite arrangements that are funded differently.
- How many days of STA can I access per year?
Standard NDIS STA funding allows up to 28 days per year, with a maximum of 14 consecutive days in any single booking. Your individual plan may include more or less, depending on your assessed need. If you use your annual allocation, you can request additional STA funding through a plan review.
- What does STA funding cover?
NDIS STA funding covers accommodation, meals, personal care, activities, and 24-hour support during your stay. It does not cover the cost of getting to and from the STA home. Transport to your STA provider may be funded separately under your NDIS travel supports or arranged privately.
- Can children access STA?
Yes. STA is available to NDIS participants of all ages, including children and young people with disabilities. Care Assure provides STA for children, and our staff have specialist training in paediatric disability support. Families are involved in planning the stay to make sure children feel safe and supported.
- Can I book an emergency STA?
Yes, subject to vacancy. Care Assure accepts emergency STA bookings when a carer becomes unable to provide care at short notice due to illness, hospitalisation, or family crisis. Contact our team directly by phone, and we will assess availability immediately. Your support coordinator or LAC may also be able to access emergency funding provisions if STA is not currently in your NDIS plan.
- What is the difference between STA and MTA?
STA (Short Term Accommodation) is a short respite stay of up to 14 consecutive days. MTA (Medium-Term Accommodation) is a longer transitional housing arrangement of up to 90 days for participants who are between permanent housing placements, leaving a hospital, or experiencing a housing crisis. Both are funded through Core Supports. Care Assure provides both.
- Do I need STA funding in my NDIS plan before booking?
Ideally, yes, but if STA is not currently in your plan, your support coordinator or LAC can request a plan review to add it. For emergency situations, your LAC may be able to access supports outside your current plan. Contact your support coordinator first, then reach out to Care Assure so we can work on the booking in parallel.
- What happens if the participant has complex behaviour support needs?
Care Assure supports participants with complex behaviours. We ask that the participant's Behaviour Support Plan be shared with us before the stay so our staff can implement the right strategies from day one. We do not accept STA bookings for participants with complex behaviours without prior discussion with our clinical team to make sure we can provide safe, appropriate support.
- How is STA different from a holiday?
STA must be linked to your NDIS goals and funded as a disability support. It is not funded as a holiday. The NDIA expects STA to serve a clear purpose: giving a carer a break, helping a participant practise independence, experiencing new environments, or building daily living skills. Care Assure builds each stay around your goals so your STA funding is used appropriately and effectively.
