Key points:
- STA remains an ‘NDIS support’
- STA cannot be used for holidays
- The NDIS is closely checking claims for STA, leading to longer processing times
- Claims may be rejected if they appear to be holiday trips or involve locations too far from home
- Providers may need to submit additional documents.
NDIS short-term accommodation and assistance (STA) funding has received a lot of attention recently. The new NDIS STA guidelines explain how short-term accommodation and assistance (including respite) works and what it can (and can’t) be used for.
Changes to the way the NDIS reviews Short Term Accommodation (STA) claims mean providers and participants must be careful to ensure invoices comply with NDIA guidelines.
Stricter reviews of STA expenses are resulting in longer processing times. In some cases claims that do not meet the STA requirements are being rejected.
What is short term accommodation?
STA is designed to help informal supports continue their caring role. It is one option for participants and their informal support to have some time apart, with the participant staying away from their usual home for a short period.
Under the legislation changes which came into effect in October 2024, short term accommodation continues to be an NDIS support. This support falls under the Core – Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement category.
- STA is a type of NDIS support
- You can use STA funding to stay away from home for up to 14 days at a time
- STA is not available for people in supported independent living (SIL) or who live alone
- Generally funding for STA is for a group price, unless there is evidence that a participant needs individual support.
- STA can’t be used to pay for items on the list of non-NDIS supports.
What can STA help with?
If it relates to your disability support needs, and where it is reasonable and necessary, STA may be used to fund:
- Short term accommodation costs
- Assistance with self care including daily tasks like showering and dressing
- Community access while staying in STA.
What’s included in STA and what’s not?
Under NDIS STA guidelines, STA funding is generally for a group price, unless there is evidence that a participant needs individual 1:1 support.
In a group centre or residence, STA may also include meals, activities and some associated travel. The price must be within the maximum all-inclusive daily claimable rates in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. However, these extras cannot be included if the participant undertakes STA in an individual setting.
The table below provides a breakdown of what’s included in STA for group settings, individual support and what’s considered everyday costs or non-NDIS supports.
What doesn’t STA pay for?
- Food and groceries
- Transport or travel
- Transport to accommodation funded with STA
- Holidays, cruises, holiday packages, airfares, travel insurance, holiday activities or tourist travel
- Longer-term accommodation
- Housing crisis situations
- Accommodation or travel costs for family members or support workers
- Accommodation for another reason, for example waiting for home modifications to be done
- Theme parks, music, theatre, cinema, sporting events and conferences
- Any item on the list of non-NDIS supports.
STA is not for holidays.
NDIS STA guidelines state “Short Term Accommodation is not for holidays”. At Leap in! we’re seeing an increase in the number of rejections where the STA accommodation is deemed to be a ‘holiday’ expense.
In some cases, funds have already been spent and they are unable to be claimed for reimbursement as the NDIS has deemed the expense as holiday-related.
Top tip: There are many companies that offer holidays and related activities as being for NDIS participants, however, this does not mean that it will be funded automatically by the NDIS. Check before making any payments, including a deposit.
Why are STA claims being more strictly reviewed?
The NDIA is more closely looking at STA claims to ensure they align with the purpose of the funding, which is to help informal supports continue their caring role. It is one option that provides participants and their informal supports time apart.
This stricter review process means that there may be:
- Delays in payment processing as claims may take longer to be processed as they undergo additional checks
- Requests for additional documentation. Providers may be asked to provide more detailed information to justify the claim
- Rejection of claims that appear to be holiday-related. STA funding is not intended to cover holidays or travel that doesn’t directly support the participant’s needs. Invoices that seem to be for recreational purposes may be rejected
- Unrecoverable costs. If funds are spent on services or accommodation that do not meet the NDIA guidelines, there’s a risk that those costs will not be reimbursed.
Providers may need to supply extra information.
To help process STA invoices smoothly, providers may be asked for additional documents that show how the accommodation aligns with the support plan, how the support was delivered and why it’s valid under NDIS guidelines. These documents are the same documents the NDIS will request when they review claims and can include:
- A copy of the service agreement
- Support logs or timesheets
- A summary of activities
- Accommodation receipts.
How to ensure STA invoices comply with the NDIA rules.
If you’re organising STA for yourself or someone you care for, or if you’re a provider of respite or STA, it’s important to ensure your arrangements meet NDIA requirements.
The Leap in! team has compiled some guidelines for planning and invoicing STA.
- Make sure the respite or short-term stay meets the participant’s support needs and includes the support ratio specified in the NDIS Plan
- Include supporting documents with your invoice, such as a service agreement, support logs, timesheets, a summary of activities or accommodation receipts
- Choose somewhere accessible and close to home if you can, because the NDIA may look closely at any accommodation that’s far away
- If you’re unsure, talk to your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator first
- Stay up to date with NDIA guidelines, especially how STA differs from a holiday, and only invoice items that can be paid for by the participant’s NDIS Plan. The NDIA will not pay for holidays or recreational trips.
NDIS funds and emergency accommodation.
We’ve received lots of questions about using NDIS funding for emergency accommodation. NDIS funding does not cover emergency accommodation but you may be able to get support through the state or federal government.