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 Short-Term Accommodation (STA). 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 Respite Care Rates for 2026

NDIS respite rates are set annually by the NDIS and published in the NDIS Support Catalogue. The rates below reflect the 2025–2026 price limits. All prices are per participant, per day, and are drawn from the Core Supports category under Assistance with Daily Life and Social, Economic and Community Participation.

Standard STA (Short-Term Accommodation) rates for 2025–2026:

• Weekday rate (per day): approximately $327–$430 depending on support intensity
• Weekend/public holiday rate: approximately $345–$460 depending on support intensity
• These rates cover accommodation, meals, and active support during waking hours

For participants requiring higher intensity supports — such as those with behaviour support plans or complex care needs — providers may claim higher line items that reflect the additional staffing required. Lead Your Life is registered for Module 2a (supporting participants with behaviours of concern), which means we can support participants with more complex needs at the appropriate rate.

The NDIS publishes an updated price guide each financial year. Always check the current NDIS Support Catalogue for the most up-to-date line items before booking. Lead Your Life can also help you understand which line items apply to your plan during your initial conversation.

What Does the Respite Rate Cover?

The daily STA rate is an all-inclusive amount that covers:

• Supported accommodation (bedroom, bathroom, common areas)
• Meals and refreshments throughout the stay
• Active day support — activities, outings, social engagement
• Overnight and waking support where required
• Personal care assistance if needed

Transport to and from the respite home is not included in the STA rate. If transport is needed, it may be claimed separately from your plan under the Transport support category, or arranged privately.

How Is Respite Care Funded in an NDIS Plan?

Respite care sits under the Core Supports budget in your NDIS plan — specifically under Assistance with Daily Life (for the accommodation component) and Social, Economic and Community Participation (for activities and community access during the stay).

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?

Most NDIS plans allow up to 28 days of short-term accommodation per year. This can be split across multiple stays rather than taken all at once. Your plan will specify the total funding available, which determines how many days you can book at the current rates.

Can I use my Core Supports funding for respite care?

Yes. Short-term accommodation and respite care are funded under the Core Supports budget. If your plan includes Core Supports funding for Assistance with Daily Life or Community Participation, you can use it to book STA at an NDIS-registered provider like Lead Your Life.

What is the difference between STA and STA?

STA (Short-Term Accommodation) and STA (Short-Term Accommodation) describe the same type of support — a funded stay at a supported accommodation facility. “STA” is the older term. The NDIS now primarily uses “STA” in the price guide, but many providers still use both terms interchangeably. The service itself is the same: a temporary, supported stay away from the participant’s usual home.

Do NDIS respite rates change each year?

Yes. The NDIS updates its price limits each financial year (July 1). The 2025–2026 rates are current as of the publication of this guide. Lead Your Life will always apply the correct rate at the time of your booking and will advise of any changes when a new price guide is released.

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

STA is designed for stays of up to 14 days at a time. If you require longer supported accommodation, you may need to look at Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL) instead. Lead Your Life offers both SIL homes in Sydney and can help you understand which option suits your situation.

Is travel to the respite home covered by the NDIS?

Transport to and from the respite home is not included in the STA daily rate. It may be claimable separately under your plan’s Transport support budget, or you may need to arrange and fund it privately. Your support coordinator can confirm what applies to your plan.

Can participants with behaviour support plans access respite care?

Yes. Lead Your Life is registered for Module 2a under the NDIS, which allows us to support participants with behaviours of concern. Participants with behaviour support plans are welcome at our respite homes. We work closely with behaviour support practitioners to ensure each stay is safe and appropriate for the individual.

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

Contact the Lead Your Life team through our contact page to discuss availability, your support needs, and NDIS funding. We serve participants across Sydney’s Western suburbs, Inner West, Hills District, and surrounding areas.

Book Short-Term Accommodation with Lead Your Life

Lead Your Life provides short-term accommodation care at our supported accommodation homes in Sydney. Our team has over 15 years of combined experience in disability support, and our respite homes are designed to feel comfortable, safe, and welcoming.

Contact us to discuss your NDIS plan and book a respite stay that fits your funding, your goals, and your needs.