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Costs & Funding

How Are NDIS Respite Care Rates Set?

Last reviewed 1 July 2026 · 6 min read · By Sarah M., Support Coordinator
In short

NDIS respite is funded as Short Term Accommodation (STA), paid from your Core budget. STA bundles accommodation, support, meals and activities into a single daily rate, and is typically funded for up to 28 days a year. Rates follow the NDIS price guide rather than a fixed national fee.

Respite is funded as Short Term Accommodation

Under the NDIS, respite is delivered as Short Term Accommodation (STA). It gives a participant somewhere to stay for a short period, often to give their usual carer a break or to try living away from home.

STA is funded from the Core supports budget in your plan. Because Core is flexible, you can generally direct funding toward STA without it being a separately listed item, though your plan should reflect a need for respite.

A key feature of STA is that it is bundled: a single rate covers accommodation, the support you need during the stay, meals and everyday activities, rather than charging for each separately.

How STA is priced

STA rates are published in the NDIS price guide (the pricing arrangements and price limits), which sets maximum prices providers can charge. Rates vary by the level of support you need and whether the stay falls on a weekday, weekend or public holiday.

Because the price guide is updated periodically, we do not quote support-item figures here. Always check the current NDIS price guide for the applicable limits before booking.

Confirm respite is reflected as a need in your plan
Check your Core budget has flexible funding available
Ask the provider for the bundled daily STA rate
Compare the rate against current NDIS price guide limits

How much respite you can use

STA is typically funded for up to 28 days per year, which can be taken as a block or split across shorter stays, depending on your plan and goals. How you use it is flexible, so a few weekend stays can be just as valid as one longer break.

Respite needs are individual, and funding is based on your circumstances and goals, so we do not guarantee funding outcomes. Discuss your respite goals at your planning meeting to help reflect them in your plan.

Need a break for you or your carer?

We can help you understand short-term accommodation and respite options that fit your plan and goals.

Explore respite options →
SM
Sarah M., Support CoordinatorReviewed by TQN.Care's NDIS support team · 8+ years in disability support coordination.
Common questions

Questions, answered.

What budget pays for NDIS respite? +
NDIS respite is funded through Short Term Accommodation from your Core supports budget. Core funding is flexible, so it can generally be directed toward STA stays when respite is a recognised need.
How many respite days does the NDIS fund? +
STA is typically funded for up to 28 days a year. These can be used as one longer stay or split into shorter breaks, depending on your plan and goals.
What does the STA rate include? +
STA is a bundled rate covering accommodation, the support you need during the stay, meals and everyday activities, charged as a single daily price rather than itemised separately.
How are respite rates calculated? +
Rates follow the NDIS price guide, which sets maximum prices. They vary by the level of support required and whether the stay falls on a weekday, weekend or public holiday.
Will the NDIS approve respite for my carer's break? +
Respite is assessed against your individual goals and circumstances, so we do not guarantee funding outcomes. Raising respite at your planning meeting helps it be reflected in your plan.
Keep reading

Related guides.

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