What Is Respite Care and How Can I Access It Through the NDIS?

Caring for someone with a disability can be deeply rewarding, but it also requires time, energy, and emotional resilience. To support both participants and their informal carers, the NDIS provides access to respite care, also known as Short-Term Accommodation (STA). Respite ensures that carers can take a break while the participant receives safe, high-quality support.

This article explains what respite care is, the types of respite available, and how you can request it in your NDIS plan.

What Is Respite Care Under the NDIS?

Respite care gives participants a temporary place to stay or additional support at home so their carer can take a break. This break allows carers to rest, manage personal commitments, or simply recharge—helping maintain long-term, sustainable caring relationships.

Under the NDIS, respite is funded through Short-Term Accommodation or sometimes Core Supports, depending on the participant’s needs.

Why Respite Care Is Important

Respite care benefits both the participant and the carer:

For carers:

Reduces physical and emotional fatigue
Helps prevent burnout
Allows time for personal activities, work, or rest
Supports long-term sustainability of the caring role

For participants:

Encourages independence
Provides opportunities for new experiences
Builds social and life skills
Offers engaging activities in a supportive environment

Healthy carers mean healthier, safer, and happier support for participants.

Types of Respite Care Available Through the NDIS

The NDIS offers several forms of respite to meet different needs:

1. Short-Term Accommodation (STA)

Short-Term Accommodation is the most common type of NDIS-funded respite. It provides temporary 24/7 support in a group, residential, or centre-based setting.

STA usually includes:

Accommodation
Personal care
Meals
Social activities
Community access
Support from qualified workers

Participants can stay for a few days, a week, or multiple periods throughout the year depending on their plan.

2. In-Home Respite

In-home respite involves a support worker coming to the participant’s home to assist with daily tasks while the carer takes time away.

This may include:

Personal care
Meal preparation
Community outings
Household tasks

In-home respite is helpful for participants who prefer familiar environments.

3. Community Access Respite

Support workers can take participants out into the community for:

Social activities
Recreation
Shopping trips
Community events

This provides the carer with a break while ensuring the participant continues building social and independent living skills.

4. Overnight or Weekend Programs

Some service providers run structured overnight or weekend programs designed to develop skills such as:

Social interaction
Life skills
Group activities
Independent living

These also function as respite for carers.

How to Access Respite Care Through the NDIS

Respite is generally funded when it is considered reasonable and necessary and contributes to sustainable, informal care arrangements.

Here’s how to ensure respite is included in your plan:

1. Raise the Need for Respite at Your Planning Meeting

Carers should describe:

How much support they provide
The impact on their physical and mental health
Why regular breaks are necessary
How respite would help maintain safe care at home

The NDIS will consider this information when allocating funding.

2. Provide Supporting Evidence

Evidence strengthens your case. Useful documents include:

Letters from GPs or specialists
Statements from psychologists or counsellors
Carer impact statements
Reports from support providers

These help demonstrate the need for regular breaks.

3. Use the Right Language: “Sustainable Informal Supports”

NDIS planners look for whether informal supports (carers) can continue safely in the long term.

You can explain:

“Without regular respite, it will be difficult to continue caring safely.”
“Respite ensures our informal support arrangement remains sustainable.”

4. Ask for STA or In-Home Respite Under Core Supports

Depending on your situation, respite may be funded under:

Core: Assistance with Daily Living

Short-Term Accommodation (STA)

Your Support Coordinator can assist in requesting appropriate funding and linking you with reputable respite providers.

How a Support Coordinator Can Help

A Support Coordinator can assist by:

Identifying suitable respite providers
Booking STA services
Gathering evidence for plan reviews
Preparing for planning meetings
Ensuring respite meets NDIS funding rules

This reduces pressure on families and gives carers peace of mind.

Respite care is a vital support that helps carers stay healthy, balanced, and supported—while providing meaningful, safe, and enjoyable experiences for participants. With the right planning and evidence, the NDIS can fund respite that makes caring sustainable for the long term.