NDIS Short Term Respite (STR): What the STA Name Change Really Means for You

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As of October 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has officially updated the name of Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short Term Respite (STR).

This change is intended to make the guidelines clearer, fairer and more flexible for participants. It also reflects a shift toward language that is said to better capture the purpose and value of this important support.

We know NDIS changes can be hard to keep up with and understand, so we’ve broken it down and given our point of view.
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Here’s what you need to know:

What Is NDIS Short-Term Respite (STR) 

Short Term Respite (STR), previously known as Short Term Accommodation (STA), is a support funded by the NDIS that gives participants and their carers a short break from everyday routines.

It provides a safe and supportive space where participants can receive care, while family or informal supports take time to rest and recharge.

Short term respite can happen in different settings, such as:

• A shared or group home
• A specialised respite centre
• Your own home, with extra support

Under the new guidelines, this support isn’t about building new skills. It’s about providing a short break for both participants and their carers. It gives carers time to recharge, while helping participants feel safe, supported and able to maintain their usual routine.

What’s the difference between STA and STR?

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While this may look like a simple name change from Short Term Accommodation (STA) with Short Term Respite (STR) , it reflects something much bigger.

This update is part of a broader shift in how the NDIS talks about and delivers support. It moves the focus away from accommodation as a place and service and towards respite as a support.

Under the old model, STA was often misunderstood as being mostly about “somewhere to stay”. The updated term, STR, puts the purpose of the support front and centre — giving participants a break from daily routines, while also supporting carers to rest and recharge.

What’s changed:

• Language and intent: The term accommodation is being replaced with respite to better reflect the role of this support in sustaining informal care and participant wellbeing.
  
  
• Policy framing: The NDIS now describes short term respite as a disability-related support that gives time apart from usual care arrangements, not a short holiday or temporary housing solution.
  
  
• Eligibility clarity: The updated guidelines are designed to reduce confusion about what STR is for, what’s included, and how it should be used.

What hasn’t changed (yet):

• The general structure of the support — including funding duration (typically up to 28 days per year), what’s included and how it’s delivered, remains the same for now.
  
  
• Providers like Southern Light Respite continue to offer the same high-quality, person-centred respite care in line with these updated guidelines.

Why it matters:

This change is more than just a new name. While it’s intended to help participants and carers better understand the purpose of this support, it also brings broader implications.

There are changes to who can access short term respite, how it’s funded, and how decisions are made by NDIS planners, support coordinators and providers. It also signals a shift in how respite is positioned within the NDIS.

Eligibility for Short Term Respite — What Does It Really Mean?
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With the introduction of Short Term Respite (STR), the NDIS has not only changed the name of this support — it has also clarified who can access it, how it’s funded, and what is considered reasonable and necessary. For many participants and carers, these changes have made the criteria clearer. But they have also brought new questions about access, funding limits and planning decisions.

Here’s what you need to know.
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Who Can Use Short Term Respite?

Under the updated guidelines, short term respite is intended for participants who:

• Have an NDIS plan that includes Core Supports under Assistance with Daily Living
  
  
• Have informal supports (such as family or friends) who provide regular, unpaid care
  
  
• Are in a situation where time away from their usual care arrangements is needed to maintain stability, safety or wellbeing
  
  
• Require short term support because their informal supports need a break to continue in their caring role
  
  

Short term respite must be directly related to your disability support needs. It is not for general accommodation or holiday purposes.
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What Has Changed?

The biggest shift is how eligibility is framed. It’s no longer just about having STA in your plan — it’s about clearly showing:

• Why short term respite is reasonable and necessary
  
  
• How it supports the ongoing sustainability of informal care
  
  
• That other options (like mainstream services or natural supports) are not enough on their own
  
  

These changes mean that access to STR may look different across participants. The NDIS will consider:

• The level and frequency of informal supports you rely on
  
  
• The impact on your carers’ health and wellbeing
  
  
• Whether STR will help you maintain routines, independence and safety

If you're unsure how these changes affect your eligibility or access to short term respite, contact Southern Light Respite — we’re here to help.

What This Change Means for NDIS Participants, Carers and Providers

The shift from Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short Term Respite (STR) isn’t just a change in name — it’s a change in how this support is understood, accessed and delivered. It carries different implications depending on your role in the NDIS community.

• For participants: This change provides a clearer understanding of what short term respite is for. It helps participants know when and how they can access this support as part of their NDIS plan, and reinforces that it is a disability-related support — not just a place to stay.
  
  
• For carers: The update recognises the essential role of informal supports. It reinforces the importance of regular, planned breaks to support carer wellbeing, safety and long-term sustainability.
  
  
• For providers: The terminology shift impacts how services are described, documented and delivered. Providers are expected to align their language and practices with the updated NDIS guidelines, including how they communicate with participants, support coordinators and planners.
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NDIS changes are not always straightforward and can be hard to keep up with. The shift from Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short Term Respite (STR) is an important change to be aware of, and what it means for you may vary depending on your plan, supports and individual circumstances. It’s important to speak with your provider, Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Plan Manager to understand how these updates may affect your access to short term respite. Taking the time to clarify your options can help ensure your supports remain aligned with your needs and that services continue to be delivered in a way that is safe, compliant and person-centred.
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At Southern Light Respite, we provide registered NDIS short term respite services in Hobart, Tasmania. Whether you’re already using respite or exploring it for the first time, we’re here to help you understand your options under the new guidelines and access the support that’s right for you. To learn more about short term respite (STR), or to speak with our team about your eligibility, get in touch:
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📧 info@southernlightrespite.com.au
📞 0480 739 063
🌐 southernlightrespite.com.au
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For more detailed information on eligibility and what’s included in Short Term Respite, you can download the official NDIS Short Term Respite Guide (PDF) directly from the NDIS website.
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