A break for you
and your caregiver
As you opt for a short stay away from home
AboutShort Term Respite
Short Term Respite (STR), earlier known as Short Term Accommodation allows NDIS participants to have a short stay away from their usual home. This facilitates a temporary break (respite) for their primary informal support like family, friends, or main care givers. It helps sustain the usual caring arrangements by preventing burnout for the caregiver. STR can prove to be a much needed, planned break for the participant and the caregiver.
Highlights of the Short Term Respite Service
Short Term Respite (STR) is strictly for disability-related support and providing a rest period for you and your caregiver to sustain your usual care arrangements. Note that this is not a holiday and must align with your NDIS plan goals.Â
The focus is on the disability-related support provided during the stay, not just the accommodation itself. It ensures the participant maintains their usual level of support.
Stays are usually limited to a maximum of 14 days at a time.
The service usually covers:
Support:
Costs for disability support workers, including personal care (showering, dressing, etc.) and support to help with everyday activities and routines.
Accommodation:
The cost of the standard accommodation itself. This could be a respite facility, group home, hotel, motel, or short-stay rental.
Meals:
Food and grocery costs while at the respite accommodation.
Activities:
The cost of activities may be covered if they are bundled into the daily group rate or are part of working towards a specific NDIS goal.
Who can benefit from Short Term Respite?
Short Term Respite is for those NDIS participants who are looking for a short break away from their home without disrupting the support facilities. This also serves as a much needed respite for the caregivers.
Live with or receive significant daily support (over 6 hours a day) from their primary informal support.
Need a break from their primary informal support to help those support givers continue in their caregiving role.
Have high or complex support needs (e.g., high intensity supports, complex behaviour support).
What you need to get started
To receive Short Term Respite service, you must first be an eligible NDIS participant, and then the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Agency – NDIA) must assess STR as a necessary support for you.
If you have more questions and need help to understand this better, do get in touch with us.
NDIS Eligibility for Short Term Respite
Short Term Respite is primarily for those participants who rely heavily on family or friends for their day-to-day care. You are generally eligible if you:
Live with your primary informal supports, or
Receive daily drop-in support from them for more than 6 hours a day.
You are usually NOT eligible if you:
Live alone independently without significant drop-in support.
Have a high level of paid support (e.g., Supported Independent Living or Individualised Living Options) already in your home.
Our participants’ journeys receiving support via STR
ABC joined us on 01/01/2026
ABC was provided STR in ___area>
ABC chose
living option type>
ABC and their care giver
received a ____
days respite.
ABC joined us on 01/01/2026
ABC was provided STR in ___area>
ABC chose
living option type>
ABC and their care giver
received a ____
days respite.
Meet our
expert caregivers
We can provide unmatched care and support because of the team of dedicated and skilled professionals.Â
Liva Robinson
Health Services Designation
Maria Mervyn
Founder & CEO Shine Health Services
Maria Mervyn
Founder & CEO Shine Health Services
TESTIMONIALS
Care Receivers
Edwina Lucifer
NDIS service received: Medium Term Accommodation
Caregivers
-Henna John
Professional Tag
Offering Service Since
Care Receivers
Edwina Lucifer
NDIS service received: Medium Term Accommodation
Caregivers
-Henna John
Professional Tag
Offering Service Since
FAQs about Short Term Respite ​
What is Short Term Respite service?
 Short Term Respite is an NDIS service that offers a break to NDIS participants and their caregivers without disrupting the support needed by the participant. This service helps the caregiver take a planned break, while the participant is shifted to a temporary space with equal care and support, as needed by them.
Who is not eligible for Short Term Respite?
Participants who already receive extensive paid support (like those in Supported Independent Living – SIL) or those who do not live with informal support are usually not eligible for STR.
What is the annual limit for Short term Respite service?
Most eligible participants can access funding for up to 28 days per calendar year.
I do not know what kind of support I need. Can you help?
If you contact us on 1300 523 524, a member of the Lifest Healthcare team can help you determine what disability support services you require for your specific needs.
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