What STA Funding Can and Cannot Cover
Understand what NDIS Short-Term Accommodation funding can pay for, what it cannot pay for, and how to separate disability support from ordinary holiday costs.
The quick answer
Short-term accommodation funding is for disability-related support during a short break from usual care arrangements. It is not a general holiday budget, so it helps to separate funded support and standard accommodation from ordinary personal or travel costs.
What current NDIS guidance says STA can cover
Current NDIS guidance says short-term accommodation funding can cover supports for everyday activities such as showering, cooking and toileting, as well as standard accommodation such as a hotel, motel, short-stay rental, cabin, cottage, hostel or respite accommodation.
Support can also be provided at home
The NDIS says the funding can support a participant to stay in their own home or in a homestay arrangement with a support worker if they usually need overnight support.
What the funding cannot be used for
The NDIS lists cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation and airfares, passports and visas, travel or vehicle insurance, certain family or support-worker travel and accommodation costs, theme parks and events, and food or meals as examples the funding cannot pay for.
Pay only for support actually used
Current NDIS guidance says participants should only pay for the supports they actually use. Ask the provider to explain what is included in the service price and what remains the participant’s own expense.
Keep the purpose disability-related
Short-term accommodation should relate to disability support needs and the purpose described in the participant’s plan. It does not replace ordinary holidays, school, work, routine community activities or crisis accommodation.
Check the current rules before booking
NDIS terminology and rules can change. Before committing to a stay, check the participant’s current plan and the latest NDIS short-term accommodation guidance.
Helpful related pages
Continue with the guide or service page that best matches the support question you are working through.
Official NDIS information used for this guide
NDIS rules and terminology can change. These official pages are useful for checking the latest position.
Important: This AIC Services guide is general information, not an NDIS funding decision, clinical advice or legal advice. Participants should check their current plan and official NDIS information for their circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Can STA funding pay for food and meals?
Current NDIS guidance lists food and meals among the items short-term accommodation funding cannot pay for.
Can STA funding pay for a hotel or short-stay rental?
Current NDIS guidance says standard accommodation such as a hotel, motel, short-stay rental, cabin, cottage, hostel or respite accommodation can be included where the support is being used appropriately.
Can STA be used as a holiday package?
No. Current NDIS guidance specifically lists holiday packages and several ordinary travel or holiday costs as non-NDIS supports.
Contact AIC Services
AIC Services
54 Main Road
Moonah, TAS 7009
Phone:
1300 023 456
Email:
support@aicservices.com.au
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
54 Main Road, Moonah TAS 7009
To reduce unnecessary third-party requests, interactive mapping is available from our Contact page and Moonah office page.
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