Short Term Respite

Short Term Respite (previously known as Short Term Accommodation or STA) is a type of NDIS support that provides a short, planned break for both participants and their carers.

It gives families and informal supports the chance to rest and recharge, while the participant enjoys a comfortable stay in a safe and supportive environment.

During your stay with Hikma House, our trained support workers provide the care and assistance you need with daily routines, personal support, and community access, ensuring you feel at home and well looked after.

Yes. Short Term Respite is funded under the NDIS as part of the Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Living category. It’s designed to provide short, planned breaks that support both the participant and their carers.

If you need a longer-term living arrangement or ongoing daily support, options such as Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) may be more suitable and can be discussed as part of your plan.

Eligibility for Short Term Respite is assessed by the NDIS on a case-by-case basis. It will be included in your plan if it’s considered a reasonable and necessary support that helps maintain your informal supports, the family members, carers, or loved ones who assist you day to day.

When assessing eligibility, the NDIS will look at whether:

• A short break will help sustain your carer’s ability to provide ongoing support
• The respite arrangement is suitable and safe for your needs
• The support is directly related to your disability

If approved, the NDIS generally funds up to 14 days at a time and a maximum of 28 days per year, with additional time only funded in exceptional circumstances.

The amount of Short Term Respite funding you receive depends on your individual support needs and circumstances. Factors such as the level of assistance required, the type of accommodation, and the support ratio all influence the total cost.

Current NDIS pricing and rates for Short Term Respite can be found in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

Short Term Respite rates are set in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which are reviewed and updated each year.

The cost of your respite stay depends on your individual needs, the level of support required, and the length of your stay. These costs are included within your NDIS plan under the Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Living category.

Under the NDIS, Short Term Respite funding provides short, planned breaks that help sustain the vital role of family members and carers who provide day-to-day support. The NDIS may fund respite for up to 14 days at a time and up to 28 days per year, with additional days only approved in exceptional circumstances, such as when a carer’s health is declining or support needs are very high.

Funding can be used for:

• A short stay in a respite residence, hotel, or short-stay rental
• Support from qualified workers during the stay (personal care, daily living assistance, or community access)
• Basic meals and accommodation when staying in a respite centre.

Our team at Hikma House helps plan each stay around comfort, safety, and familiarity, so both participants and carers can rest easy knowing support is consistent and reliable.

Once you’re an approved NDIS participant, Short Term Respite can be included in your plan if it’s considered a reasonable and necessary support to help maintain your informal supports.

You can choose which NDIS provider you’d like to stay with. Depending on your needs, respite may take place in a dedicated residence, hotel, or short-stay rental with appropriate supports.

Your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can help you explore available options and plan a stay that best suits you and your carer. Platforms such as housinghub.org.au are also helpful for finding respite providers near you.

Short Term Respite covers the essential supports you need during your stay to ensure you’re comfortable, cared for, and supported.

This can include:

• Accessible accommodation in a respite service, hotel, or short-stay rental
• Personal care and daily living support
• Help with meals, cleaning, and maintaining your routine
• Assistance to take part in community, cultural, or social activities (activity costs not included)

At Hikma House, each stay is thoughtfully planned around your needs, providing the right balance of care, comfort, and familiarity for both you and your loved ones.

Respite care givers are responsible for day and overnight care to NDIS participants. Responsibilities and duties may include:

• Completing domestic tasks such as cleaning and meal preparation
• Assisting with taking medication
• Supporting with personal care such as showering, hygiene and other activities of personal living
• Empowering participants to connect with and explore their community
• Supporting participants to enjoy every moment and to have fun at their NDIS respite accommodation.

Yes. At Hikma House, we support both children and adults who are eligible for Short Term Respite under the NDIS.

We provide respite stays for participants aged 7 to 65, creating a safe and comfortable environment where each person’s care needs are met with understanding and respect.

For children under 18, the NDIS will only fund Short Term Respite in exceptional circumstances, such as when a child’s care needs are significantly higher than typical for their age and parents need a break to sustain their caring role.

Our respite homes across Melbourne are designed to help families rest easy knowing their loved one is receiving quality care, thoughtful support, and a warm, familiar environment.

Currently, all of our disability respite houses are located within Melbourne, Victoria.

Under the NDIS, Short Term Respite can be funded for up to 14 days at a time and a maximum of 28 days per year. Additional days may be approved only in exceptional circumstances, such as when a carer’s health is declining or the participant’s support needs are very high.

Short Term Respite must be included in the participant’s plan and is intended to:

• Give unpaid carers and family members a planned break
• Help maintain informal supports and prevent carer burnout
• Provide temporary support in a safe, suitable environment

It’s not designed as a long-term housing option and should be reviewed regularly in each participant’s NDIS plan to ensure it continues to meet the intended purpose.

Short Term Respite can be delivered by registered NDIS providers like Hikma House, as well as by other approved service providers who meet NDIS quality and safety standards.

The NDIA has also made it clear that participants are not limited to using registered disability providers for accommodation. Depending on your needs and preferences, respite may take place in a respite residence, hotel, or short-stay rental, provided it offers a safe and suitable environment with the right supports in place.

At Hikma House, we’re proud to be a trusted NDIS provider in Victoria, offering Short Term Respite that’s caring, culturally safe, and designed around the comfort and wellbeing of each participant and their family.