Respite is support that gives a participant a break from their usual routine and their family or carers a planned break from caring. It can mean a stay away from home, funded through Short Term Accommodation, or extra support delivered in the participant's own home so the people who normally care for them can step back for a while.
Good for participants, good for carers
Respite can provide participants with opportunities to experience new environments, engage in community activities, build independence and maintain daily living skills — while supporting families and carers to take a planned break from their usual caring role.
Tailored and flexible
Our respite supports are tailored to each participant's needs, preferences, goals and support requirements. Whether provided one-to-one or in a shared setting, our team ensures care is safe, person-centred and responsive.
We work closely with participants, families and support networks to plan respite arrangements that are practical, supportive and aligned with individual circumstances.
Respite works best when it is planned, not rescued
Most families come to us for respite at the point where they are already exhausted. That is understandable, and we will always try to help — but the honest advice is that respite does more good when it is booked as part of the year rather than reached for in a crisis. A planned pattern gives the person being supported time to get used to the workers and the routine, which is usually what determines whether they enjoy it or endure it.
It also affects what we can offer. Short-notice requests are limited by who is genuinely available and appropriately trained, and we would rather say no than send someone who does not know the person. If you tell our intake team roughly when you expect to need breaks across the next six or twelve months, we can plan staffing around it instead of scrambling.
Common questions
What is respite in the NDIS?
Respite is support that gives a participant time away from their usual routine — new environments, community activities, and a chance to build independence — while family or carers take a planned break. In current NDIS language it usually appears as Short Term Accommodation, but most people still call it respite.
Is respite the same as Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
They overlap. Short Term Accommodation is the NDIS funding line that covers a stay away from home, typically including support, accommodation, meals and activities for up to 14 days at a time. 'Respite' is the broader everyday word, and can also describe support delivered in your own home so a carer gets a break. Our guide comparing respite and STA explains which is likely to fit.
Where does respite happen, and is it one-to-one or shared?
Either. Respite can be delivered one-to-one or in a shared setting, depending on what suits the participant. We plan arrangements with participants, families and support networks so they are practical and safe rather than off-the-shelf.
How is respite funded in an NDIS plan?
Short Term Accommodation is generally funded from the Core Supports budget. How much is available depends on your plan and how it is written. Talk to our intake team and we will work through what your plan covers before anything is booked.