Respite care gives NDIS participants a short break from their usual home environment while giving carers and families time to rest. Knowing the current rates helps you plan your funding and book with confidence.

What Is NDIS Respite Care?

NDIS respite care covers two main support types: Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA). Both provide a supported stay away from home for a set period — typically between one and 14 days at a time, and up to 28 days per year under most plans.

Respite can be used to give your regular carer a break, to trial a new living situation, to experience social activities in a supported setting, or to access overnight support when your usual arrangements are unavailable.

At Lead Your Life, our short-term accommodation homes in Sydney provide fully supported accommodation with structured activities, experienced support workers, and a consistent, comfortable environment.

Current NDIS Short-Term Accommodation Rates

NDIS respite rates are set annually by the NDIS and published in the NDIS Pricing Schedule. The rates below reflect the 2026-27 NDIS pricing arrangements for Short Term Accommodation (STA).

Standard STA (Short-Term Accommodation) support rates for 2026-27 (National):

• Weekday daytime support: $73.58 per hour
• Weekday evening support: $81.07 per hour
• Weekday night support: $82.57 per hour
• Saturday support: $103.54 per hour
• Sunday support: $133.50 per hour
• Public holiday support: $163.46 per hour
• Sleepover support: $311.79 per sleepover
• Participant accommodation component: $162.85 per day

These rates form part of STA funding, which typically covers accommodation, meals, personal care and agreed activities during a participant’s short stay away from home.

For participants requiring higher intensity supports, including those with complex care needs or behaviours of concern, higher-intensity STA support items are available. National rates range from $79.60 per hour for weekday daytime support up to $176.84 per hour on public holidays, depending on the support type and timing.

Lead Your Life is registered for Module 2a (supporting participants with behaviours of concern), which means we can support participants with more complex needs using appropriately qualified staff and the relevant NDIS support items.

The NDIS publishes updated pricing arrangements periodically. Always check the current NDIS Pricing Schedule for the most up-to-date support items and pricing limits before booking. Lead Your Life can also help you understand which STA supports and line items apply to your plan during your initial conversation.

What Does the STA Rate Cover?

STA funding is designed to be an all-inclusive support, providing participants with a safe and supported stay away from home while working towards their goals and giving families or carers a break when needed. The NDIS generally funds up to 28 days of STA per year, which can be used flexibly throughout the year.

What’s included in STA?

• Comfortable accommodation during your stay
• Nutritious meals, snacks and refreshments
• Personal care and daily living support
• 24-hour support and supervision where required
• Social, recreational and community participation activities
• Opportunities to build independence and daily living skills
• Support to develop friendships and social connections
• Assistance to achieve NDIS goals related to capacity building and community participation
• Respite for families and informal carers while ensuring participants continue to receive quality support

During your initial conversation, our team can help you understand how STA funding can be used within your NDIS plan and tailor a stay that meets your goals, interests and support needs.

How Is Respite Care Funded in an NDIS Plan?

STA (respite) is funded from your NDIS Core Supports budget and is designed to be an all-inclusive support.

Participants on NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed plans can all access respite care. The key difference is in how the funding is claimed:

• NDIA-managed: Lead Your Life claims directly from the NDIS portal on your behalf. No invoices are issued to you.
• Plan-managed: Your plan manager processes the invoices. Lead Your Life provides a service agreement and invoices your plan manager.
• Self-managed: You pay the invoice and claim reimbursement from the NDIS portal yourself.

If you are unsure how much respite funding is in your plan, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or support coordinator can check your plan and advise on the booking process.

How to Book Respite Care with Lead Your Life

To book a short-term accommodation stay with Lead Your Life, contact our team directly. We will confirm availability, discuss your support needs, and prepare a service agreement before your stay. We recommend booking as early as possible, as availability at our Sydney respite homes is limited.

Speak with the Lead Your Life team via our contact page to discuss your dates, support requirements, and NDIS funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days of respite can I access per year through the NDIS?

The NDIS generally funds up to 28 days of Short-Term Accommodation (STA), including respite, each year where it is considered reasonable and necessary. Funding can usually be used flexibly, such as one weekend each month or blocks of up to 14 days at a time, depending on your individual plan and support needs.

Can I use my Core Supports funding for respite care?

Yes. STA, including respite, is funded through your NDIS Core Supports budget. Many participants can use their Core funding for STA if it helps them pursue their goals and meets their disability support needs. STA is generally claimed using the relevant Short-Term Accommodation support items rather than separate community access supports during the stay.

What is the difference between STA and respite?

There is no practical difference. The NDIS uses the term “Short-Term Accommodation (STA), including respite” to describe funded short stays away from home that support participants and their carers. Many people still use the word “respite”, while the NDIS generally refers to the support as STA. Both terms commonly describe the same type of funded support.

Do NDIS respite rates change each year?

Yes. The NDIS reviews and updates pricing arrangements periodically, typically from 1 July each year. Current pricing is based on the latest NDIS Pricing Schedule. Lead Your Life will always apply the applicable NDIS pricing and support items at the time of your booking.

Can I access respite care for longer than 14 days in a single stay?

STA is generally funded in blocks of up to 14 days at a time. If you require accommodation support for a longer period, other NDIS supports such as Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL) may be more appropriate depending on your circumstances.

Is travel to the respite home covered by the NDIS?

Yes. Lead Your Life typically includes transport to and from our STA homes as part of our respite service, making it easier for participants and families to access their stay. Transport arrangements may vary depending on location and individual circumstances, so our team will discuss the available options with you when booking.

Can participants with behaviour support plans access respite care?

Yes. Lead Your Life is registered for Module 2a (Implementing Behaviour Support Plans and Supporting Participants with Behaviours of Concern). This allows us to support many participants with behaviour support plans and more complex support needs in a safe, person-centred environment.

How do I contact Lead Your Life to book respite care in Sydney?

We can help participants, families, support coordinators and plan managers understand available STA options and funding requirements before booking.

Book Short-Term Accommodation with Lead Your Life

Lead Your Life provides Short-Term Accommodation (STA), including respite, in safe, welcoming supported accommodation homes across Sydney. Our experienced team supports participants to build independence, develop social connections, participate in community activities and enjoy a positive stay away from home.

Whether you’re looking for regular respite, a weekend break, or support during a period when your usual carers are unavailable, we’re here to help.

Contact the Lead Your Life team today to discuss your NDIS plan, funding options and the right STA arrangement for your goals and support needs.