For an NDIS participant living with disability in Brisbane, short term accommodation is one of the most powerful and underused supports available. It gives you time away from your usual environment, a break from familiar routines, and the freedom to try new experiences in a fully supported setting.
For carers and families, STA provides something equally important: a genuine rest. The opportunity to recharge, knowing the person you support is receiving quality care, is not a luxury. It is a necessity that makes long-term caring sustainable.
Yet many Brisbane participants and families do not access STA at all, often because the process seems complicated or they are unsure whether their plan covers it. This guide answers every question clearly, from what STA actually is, to how much it costs in 2026, to how to find the right provider in Brisbane and book your first stay.
What Is NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
NDIS Short Term Accommodation, commonly known as STA, is funded support that allows a participant to stay away from their usual home for a short period while still receiving the disability-related support they need.
The NDIS defines STA as support during a break from usual care arrangements. In practice, this means the participant stays somewhere other than their home, with qualified support workers providing the daily assistance they normally receive from family, carers, or support workers at home.
STA was previously called Short Term Respite (STR). The name changed to better reflect what it actually is: a funded accommodation and support arrangement, not simply a rest for the carer. The funding sits under your Core Supports budget, specifically under Assistance with Daily Life (Support Category 01).
STA is not a holiday and it is not charity. It is a funded support the NDIS recognises as essential for participants who live with disability and the people who care for them.
STA in Brisbane: the local context
Brisbane and the surrounding South East Queensland region has a growing network of registered STA providers, ranging from purpose-built respite houses in suburbs like Morayfield and Capalaba to in-home arrangements and community-based stays. The city’s accessible public spaces, mild climate, and strong disability community make Brisbane a particularly good setting for STA experiences that go beyond simply staying somewhere different.
NDIS Short Term Accommodation Eligibility Brisbane: Who Can Access STA?
Not every NDIS participant automatically receives STA funding in their plan. The NDIA assesses eligibility based on your circumstances and the role informal supports play in your daily life.
You are most likely to be eligible for STA funding if one or more of the following applies:
- Step 1: You live with a primary informal support
You live with a family member, partner, or friend who provides significant day-to-day care and support. STA gives that person a genuine break from their caring role. - Step 2: Your informal support provides over six hours of daily care
If your primary carer provides more than six hours of disability-related support per day, this reflects high dependency, and the NDIA recognises the need for periodic funded respite. - Step 3: STA aligns with your NDIS plan goals
The support must relate to your disability support needs and help you work toward goals in your active NDIS plan, such as improving independence, building community connections, or developing daily living skills. - Step 4: The support is reasonable and necessary
Under Section 34 of the NDIS Act, every funded support must be reasonable and necessary. The NDIA considers whether STA represents the most appropriate and cost-effective way to meet your needs.
Tip: If STA funding is not currently in your plan but you believe you qualify, do not wait for your next scheduled review. Speak with your support coordinator or plan manager about requesting an unscheduled plan review or a variation through the NDIA.
What Does NDIS Short Term Accommodation Include? Full Coverage Breakdown
Understanding exactly what STA does and does not cover helps you budget accurately and set the right expectations before booking.
| COVERED BY STA | NOT COVERED BY STA |
| Accommodation costs (the place you stay) | Airfares, transport to the STA location, or travel insurance |
| Personal care and daily living support (showering, meals, medication, mobility) | Holiday packages, cruises, or entertainment venue tickets |
| Support worker assistance during waking hours and overnight | Meals and groceries (personal expense, not STA funded) |
| Community participation during the stay | Accommodation for family members accompanying you |
| Daily living skill development activities | Activities unrelated to your disability support needs |
| Social activities and outings arranged through the provider | Personal spending money or shopping |
| Accessible facilities and equipment in the accommodation | Stays outside Australia |
Important 2026 change: From 1 July 2026, the NDIA moved from a single bundled STA daily rate to an itemised pricing model. Providers now quote accommodation and support as separate line items. This gives participants greater transparency and makes it easier to compare quotes from different providers.
NDIS Short Term Accommodation Rates and Pricing in 2026
STA costs depend on the type of support arrangement, the day of the week, and the provider you choose. The NDIA sets maximum price caps; providers can charge up to but not above these figures.
| Support Arrangement | Weekday Rate | Saturday | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| 1:1 Individual Support | $2,178.57 / day cap | $2,763.80 | $3,510.88 | $4,257.96 |
| 1:2 Shared Support | $1,189.28 / participant | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays |
| 1:3 Shared Support | $859.52 / participant | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays | Higher rates apply on weekends and public holidays |
These rates are price caps, not fixed prices. Providers may charge less, and many do for shared arrangements or longer stays. Always request a detailed quote that itemises accommodation and support separately under the 2026-27 pricing model.
How to make your STA budget go further
A 28-day annual STA allocation at 1:3 shared rates across weekdays equates to roughly $24,066 in potential funding. Choosing shared support over 1:1 individual support can significantly extend the number of nights you access.
Tip: Spread your days strategically. You do not need to use all 28 days in one block. Many Brisbane participants use STA as fortnightly weekend stays, monthly long weekends, or two annual week-long stays. Work with your support coordinator to plan usage that fits your family’s routine.
How to Access NDIS Short Term Accommodation in Brisbane: Step by Step
- Step 1: Check your NDIS plan for STA funding
Log into myplace via the NDIS portal and look for STA under Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life, Category 01). If it is not there, speak with your support coordinator about a plan review. - Step 2: Define your support needs in writing
Before contacting providers, prepare a brief written summary: your dates, how many nights, your daily routine, overnight support needs, dietary requirements, mobility equipment, and any behavioural considerations. This lets providers give you accurate quotes. - Step 3: Get at least two comparable quotes
Contact multiple registered STA providers in Brisbane. Ask each one to quote using the same brief. Under the 2026 itemised model, quotes should list accommodation and support separately. Compare total costs and inclusions rather than just daily rates. - Step 4: Confirm funding and sign a service agreement
Before the stay begins, confirm with your plan manager or the NDIA that sufficient STA funding is available. Sign a service agreement with the provider that clearly states the dates, rates, inclusions, and cancellation terms. - Step 5: Provider invoices your plan manager or the NDIA directly
After the stay, the registered provider claims payment directly from your plan manager or through the NDIA portal. You do not pay upfront and claim back. The process is handled entirely through the NDIS system.
Types of NDIS Short Term Accommodation Available in Brisbane
Purpose-built respite homes
Registered STA providers operate houses in residential neighbourhoods across Greater Brisbane. These typically accommodate a small number of participants (often two to four) with round-the-clock support staff. They feel more like living in a home than a facility, with accessible bathrooms, communal spaces, and structured daily routines.
In-home STA (support in your own space)
If you prefer familiar surroundings, STA funding can cover a support worker staying in your home while your usual carer takes a break. This option suits participants who find changes in environment difficult or have complex support needs that are harder to transfer to a new location.
Community-based and hosted stays
Some STA arrangements involve staying with an approved host family or in a community-based setting, with a support worker providing the disability-related assistance. These can offer a more social and less structured experience.
Group or centre-based STA
Larger providers run structured STA programs with group activities, community outings, and shared support arrangements. These are often the most cost-effective option and can be a good fit for participants who enjoy social environments and trying new activities alongside others.
What Can NDIS Participants Do During Short Term Accommodation in Brisbane?
STA is not about sitting in a room waiting to go home. Brisbane’s accessibility and climate make it possible to build genuinely enriching stays with activities that support both wellbeing and NDIS goals.
- South Bank Parklands: Fully accessible riverside precinct with pools, markets, and cultural venues
- Roma Street Parkland: Accessible gardens and walking paths in the city centre
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Australia’s first and largest koala sanctuary, accessible entry and pathways
- Cooking and Life Skills: Build independence through meal prep, budgeting, and household tasks
- Community Cafes and Markets: Local outings build social confidence and community connection
- Accessible Art Programs: Creative workshops support communication and wellbeing
- City and Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens: Flat, accessible paths and quiet spaces
- Redcliffe Day Trip: Accessible coastal suburb 45 minutes north, suitable for beach and market visits
What counts as a goal-related activity? Activities during STA should support your NDIS plan goals. Building cooking skills, joining group social outings, practising public transport use, or developing self-care routines all qualify. Personal entertainment (a concert, a theme park visit) is a personal expense, not an STA-funded activity.
NDIS STA vs Respite Care: Understanding the Difference in 2026
People often use “STA” and “respite care” interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings in the NDIS context.
Respite care: is the broader concept: any support that gives carers and families a break from their caring responsibilities. Respite can happen in many ways, including through support workers providing in-home assistance, community access programs, or centre-based activities that the participant attends while the carer rests.
STA (Short Term Accommodation): is a specific type of respite with a funded accommodation component. The participant stays somewhere other than their home, with full support provided. STA is funded through a specific line item in the NDIS pricing schedule, separate from regular support worker or community access funding.
The key distinction: all STA involves a change of accommodation, but not all respite involves STA. Your NDIS plan may fund both types. Work with your support coordinator to understand which is funded and how to use each one appropriately.
Tips to Maximise Your NDIS Short Term Accommodation Funding
Plan across the full year
STA does not accumulate indefinitely. If unused STA days are in your plan budget and are not spent before your plan period ends, you may lose that funding. Map out the year with your support coordinator at the start of each plan period and book provisional dates early.
Compare providers on more than price
The cheapest quote is not always the best choice. Ask about staff-to-participant ratios, the qualifications of overnight support workers, the activities offered, the accessibility of the property, and whether the provider has experience with your specific disability type.
Use shared support to extend your days
Choosing a 1:2 or 1:3 shared support arrangement rather than 1:1 individual support can roughly halve your daily cost. If you are comfortable in a social setting, this lets you access significantly more days per year within the same funding allocation.
Coordinate transport separately
Transport to and from your STA location is not covered by STA funding. However, it may be fundable under your NDIS transport budget. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can be booked separately to bring you door to door from your home to the STA provider, making the entire journey stress-free.
Tip: Book accessible transport early. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles in Brisbane are in high demand, especially on weekends. Book your transport to and from your STA stay at the same time as you confirm the accommodation. Comfy Travel specialises in exactly this kind of door-to-door NDIS transport across Brisbane and Queensland.
NDIS Short Term Accommodation Brisbane FAQ
How many days of STA can I access per year?
The NDIS typically funds up to 28 days of STA per year. These can be taken as a single block, multiple shorter stays, or a series of weekend visits depending on what your plan specifies and what you agree with your provider. The 14-day consecutive limit applies per individual block.
Can I choose my own STA provider in Brisbane?
Yes. NDIS participants with choice and control can select any registered STA provider. You are not required to use the provider your support coordinator suggests. Compare options, visit facilities if possible, and choose the provider that best fits your support needs and personal preferences.
Do I need to pay for meals during my STA stay?
Meals are generally a personal expense and are not covered by STA funding. However, many providers include meals as part of their accommodation package and factor this into their pricing. Ask each provider specifically whether meals are included and how they are costed in their quote.
Can I use STA if I live alone?
STA eligibility is primarily designed for participants who live with or receive substantial care from an informal supporter. If you live alone and receive support from formal providers rather than family or friends, alternative funding arrangements such as increased support worker hours or community access may be more appropriate. Speak with your support coordinator to explore your options.
Can my STA provider claim transport costs to take me on outings?
Yes. Providers transporting you to community activities as part of your STA program can claim activity-based transport under a separate NDIS line item (04_590_0125_6_1) at approximately $1.00 per kilometre. This does not come out of your STA budget.
What happens if I need to cancel my STA booking?
Cancellation terms vary by provider and must be stated in your service agreement before booking. The NDIS short notice cancellation policy (which allows providers to claim a portion of the booking cost for late cancellations) applies to STA. Always read and understand cancellation terms before signing.
GETTING TO YOUR STA STAY
Book Wheelchair-Accessible Transport to Your Brisbane STA with Comfy Travel
Your STA funding covers the stay. Getting there should be just as seamless. Comfy Travel provides safe, comfortable, door-to-door wheelchair-accessible transport for NDIS participants across Brisbane and Queensland.
Their team understands NDIS funding, works with plan managers on invoicing, and has vehicles equipped for power wheelchairs, manual chairs, and group travel. Book your STA transport at the same time as your accommodation and arrive ready to relax.
Website: https://comfytravel.com.au/
Phone: 0481 433 337
Email: enquiries@comfytravel.com.au
Address: 2/290 Boundary St, Spring Hill QLD 4000
