Short-Term Accommodation (STA) Assessment
What is a Short- Term Accomodation assessment?
Short-Term Accommodation (STA) provides NDIS funding for respite support and temporary accommodation away from a Participant's usual home, for up to 28 days per year.
It includes:
Accommodation and meals
Personal care and daily support
Activities that support NDIS goals
STA is designed to give Participant’s informal caregivers a break while supporting them to develop skills, trial new environments, and work toward greater independence and community engagement.
What Does an STA assessment involve?
An STA assessment follows the same process as a standard Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA), with an extended section focused on home and living needs.
Your Occupational Therapist will:
Explore your current living situation in depth
Determine the most appropriate STA model to meet your goals and support your development and provide a clear STA recommendation
Justify the recommendation under the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary criteria
Identify risks if the funding is not provided (e.g. caregiver burnout)
Where appropriate, administer a Caregiver Strain Index
Who might need an STA assessment?
STA offers a valuable opportunity to experience time away from home in a way that is purposeful, supportive, and aligned with personal goals.
STA may be suitable for NDIS Participants who:
Need respite, giving informal carers a break while ensuring safe and supported care
Require temporary accommodation during a change in circumstances, such as in an emergency
Are trialling independent living while preparing for long-term options like ILO or SIL
Want to develop daily living skills and build confidence in a supported environment
Wish to engage in recreational or social activities aligned with their NDIS goals, such as building social connections or increasing community access
Would benefit from support to take a short holiday, where time away from home supports well-being, independence, and community participation