Types of Respite for NDIS Participants and Carers
Types of respite NDIS guide: how STA became Short-Term Respite (STR) in 2025, in-home, centre-based and overnight options, and how to get it funded.
Respite gives everyone a breather — a break for the family and carers who provide informal support, and often a change of scene for the participant too. The NDIS renamed and refocused this support in 2025, so it is worth understanding how it works now. This guide covers the types of respite, what changed, and how to get it into your plan.
What respite means on the NDIS
The 2025 change: STA became STR
Short-Term Respite (STR) explained
The different forms respite can take
How overnight and weekend respite work
What STR funds, and its limits
How to get respite in your plan
Where this fits in the bigger picture
Frequently asked questions
Is STA still called STA on the NDIS?
No. In October 2025 the NDIS renamed Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short-Term Respite (STR) and updated its guidelines. It is the same underlying support, now refocused on giving informal carers a genuine break rather than on the participant getting away. Older paperwork referring to STA means…
What does Short-Term Respite (STR) cover?
STR funds both standard accommodation and the support you need during a short respite stay, such as personal care and meals, usually as a set number of days per year. It cannot be accommodation only — the support has to be genuine and recorded — and it excludes holidays, cruises and overseas trips.
How do I get respite funded in my NDIS plan?
Explain how regular breaks keep your informal care sustainable — that your carers need relief to keep supporting you long term. Your support coordinator or planner can help you request a number of respite days and describe how you will use them across the year. Evidence of your carers' role…
Can I use respite funding for a holiday?
No. Under the 2025 guidelines, respite funding is for standard, stationary accommodation and support, generally in-state. It does not cover holidays, cruises or overseas trips, and activity and transport costs are limited. The focus is a safe, restful break, not a funded outing.