Participant Enquiries
STA Is Now STR: What the 2025 NDIS Changes Mean for Short Term Respite
Empowrd • December 15, 2025
If you or someone you support uses the NDIS, you may have heard that Short Term Accommodation (STA) has now been renamed to Short Term Respite (STR).
While it might sound like a simple name change, this update has important implications, especially for carers who need a break, and participants who rely on consistent, reliable care when their usual supports aren’t available.
Why the NDIS Made This Change
The term Short Term Respite better reflects the actual purpose of this funding. It’s designed to:
- Give carers time to rest, recharge, or manage personal responsibilities
- Ensure participants continue receiving safe, appropriate care during that time
In recent years, some providers promoted STA as a kind of NDIS-funded holiday. This blurred the lines between recreation and respite, leading to confusion about how the funding could be used. The new STR guidelines return the focus to what this support is really for: temporary, essential care, not tourism or leisure.
Key Things to Know About STR
It’s Still the Same Support — With Clearer Rules
- STR is for respite, not therapy or holidays
- It’s designed to continue the participant’s regular care, not provide new or additional supports
- Providers must now itemise costs for accommodation, support, and any activities
STR cannot be promoted or billed as an “all-inclusive” or holiday-style service
How Much STR Can You Access?
- Up to
28 days of Short Term Respite per year
- No more than
14 consecutive days at any one time
- The support provided should reflect the participant’s
day-to-day care needs, such as personal care, supervision, or help with routines
What STR Should Not Be Used For
NDIS has clarified that STR should not be used for:
- Skill-building or therapy programs
- Social or recreational development activities
- Vacations, tourism, or getaways that resemble holidays
If it looks like a holiday, it likely doesn’t qualify as STR.
For Providers: Invoicing and Delivery Expectations
From late 2025, providers offering Short Term Respite must:
- Avoid bundling STR into “holiday packages”
- Clearly separate charges for
accommodation,
support hours, and any
additional costs
- Ensure that the care provided is consistent with what the participant would typically receive day-to-day
This means staying compliant with pricing limits and expectations and following formats like the NDIS Invoice Template for Providers to make claims clear and auditable.
What You Can Do Now
1. Review Your Plan Funding
Short Term Respite is usually included under your Core Supports budget. If you’re unsure, your Support Coordinator can help confirm where it fits.
2. Talk to Your Provider
Make sure your provider:
- Offers care that aligns with your typical support needs
- Supplies itemised invoices that meet current NDIS guidelines
- Delivers respite in a suitable setting, whether at home, in a centre, or short-term accommodation
3. Stay Within the Guidelines
Use STR only for its intended purpose: respite. Don’t duplicate existing supports or use the funding for holiday-style breaks.
4. Use Flexibly — But Appropriately
The location may change, but the type of care should remain consistent with the participant’s plan.
How Empowrd Can Help
At Empowrd, we support participants and providers in understanding how NDIS changes like STR affect your plan and how to use your funding with clarity and confidence.
Based in Port Lincoln, and servicing Ceduna, Whyalla, and the Eyre Peninsula, we offer:
- Local NDIS Support Coordination
- Australia-wide NDIS Plan Management
- Guidance on provider invoices, planning, and compliant use of Short Term Respite
Whether you’re a carer trying to avoid burnout or a participant needing support during a change in routine, we’re here to make sure your plan is working for you.
Final Thoughts
The shift from STA to STR isn’t just a name change; it’s a clear signal from the NDIS that respite is about essential care, not recreation.
These changes help protect participants, support carers, and ensure NDIS funding is used for its intended purpose. If you have questions, need help reviewing invoices, or want to confirm how STR fits into your plan, we’re here to support you with experience, local knowledge, and practical advice.
NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination
At Empowrd, we are here to make your life easier. Based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, we offer a personal, accessible and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We provide Plan Management services across Australia, assisting with financial administration, and offer Support Coordination to participants in Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula, connecting them with the right supports and providers. Our goal is to ensure your NDIS plan works for you, so you can focus on achieving your goals and doing what you love.
Want to Become a Support Worker?
Our Independent Support Workers Education Portal provides everything you need to navigate the NDIS, find work, and confidently offer services as an Independent Support Worker. For just $65, you will gain access to comprehensive guides, essential resources, and ready-to-use templates to streamline your work.
Inside, you will find:
- A clear breakdown of how the NDIS works
- Tips for finding jobs and delivering services
- Step-by-step guidance on invoicing and support planning
- Ready-to-edit templates for quotes, service agreements, invoices, and case notes
Need just the templates? You can also purchase them separately as standalone resources.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
If you are ready to be Empowrd to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path.
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Be EMPOWRD to Live Your Best Life
If you’re ready to be empowered to live life on your terms, we’re here to help guide the way. At Empowrd, we offer a personal, accessible, and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination. We’ll ensure your plan works for you, allowing you to focus on your goals and the things you love most.
