NDIS Respite Care: What It Is and How to Access It
Time apart from your usual care arrangements can genuinely help everyone involved. Here is what NDIS respite support actually covers and how to talk to your planner about it.
5 minute read
Caring for someone takes a lot out of a family. The NDIS recognises this. It funds a support called short term respite, which gives a participant genuine support away from their usual care arrangements for a short time. This support used to be called short term accommodation. The NDIS recently renamed it, because the new name better reflects what it is actually for.
What Respite Support Actually Means
Short term respite is a support funded for the participant. It gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements, whether that is family, friends, or a regular carer. During this time you still receive the support you need. The difference is that this happens away from your usual carer, which gives them a short break so they can keep supporting you well into the future.
Who Can Access It
You may be able to get this funding if you live with your primary informal supports, or if you get daily drop in support from them. You may also qualify if you receive more than six hours of disability related support each day from your primary informal supports. If you already have paid support workers covering consistent care, you usually will not need this funding.
What It Can Be Used For
This funding covers the everyday support you need, like help with showering, cooking, or getting around. It can also cover a stay in standard accommodation. Think hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, or dedicated respite accommodation. It can cover support to stay in your own home, or a homestay arrangement if you usually need overnight help. It is usually funded for up to twenty eight days a year, and you can use it flexibly. Some people use a block of up to fourteen days at a time. Others prefer one weekend a month.
What It Cannot Be Used For
This is not funding for a holiday. It has to relate directly to your disability support needs, such as giving your carers a genuine break or supporting a specific goal. You also cannot use it for a cruise or a guided tour. If you are planning an actual holiday, talk to your support coordinator about other funding options instead.
Respite for Children
This support is only funded for children in limited circumstances. It generally applies when a child's disability support needs go beyond what is typical for their age, and when the support helps the family keep going in their caring role. Every family situation is considered individually.
Before Your Planning Meeting
- Think about how many hours of daily support your family currently provides
- Note down how often a short break would genuinely help
- Ask your my NDIS contact whether respite funding fits your situation
- Talk about whether you prefer at home support or a stay elsewhere
- Raise it early so it can be planned into your funding properly
Worth knowing: this support must generally be used within your home state or territory. If you live somewhere remote, funding outside your area may sometimes be considered.
Talking to Your Planner About It
Respite is not something that gets added automatically. You need to raise it with your my NDIS contact or planner directly. It helps to be specific about how much support your family already provides, and how a short break would make a genuine difference. If you already have a plan in place, this is also something you can bring up at your plan review.
If you are still working out how your overall funding fits together, it also helps to understand the different NDIS funding categories first, since respite generally sits within core supports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is short term accommodation the same as short term respite?
Yes. The NDIS renamed short term accommodation to short term respite in 2026. It is still a support funded for the participant, and it works the same way as before, only the name changed.
Can I use respite funding for a holiday?
No. This funding has to relate to your disability support needs, such as giving your carers a break. It cannot be used for a cruise, a tour, or a general holiday.
How long can I use respite support for at one time?
It can be used flexibly. Some participants use a block of up to fourteen days at a time, while others prefer shorter, more regular breaks like one weekend a month.
Do I automatically get respite funding in my plan?
No. You need to raise it with your my NDIS contact or planner so it can be considered and included based on your specific situation.
Can children access respite support?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. It usually applies when a child's support needs go beyond what is typical for their age, and when it helps the family continue in their caring role.
This article is general information based on current NDIS guidance and is not personal advice. For help specific to your plan, speak with your my NDIS contact, support coordinator, or the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110.
