NDIS Respite Care: What Is Covered in 2025?

Caring for a loved one with a disability is one of life's most rewarding experiences, but it can sometimes be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. That's where respite care becomes a lifeline for Australian families. Formally known as Short-Term Accommodation (STA) under the NDIS, respite care provides temporary relief for primary care givers while ensuring that the NDIS participants continue to receive quality support.

Respite care or NDIS respite accommodation isn't just about giving caregivers the much-needed break. In fact, it is designed to help caregivers prevent carer burnout and maintain healthy family relationships while providing NDIS participants with valuable opportunities to develop key life skills and become more independent in a supportive environment. For many Australian families, respite care is the difference between sustainable, long-term care for people with disabilities and crisis situations that can strain caregivers to breaking point.

What's Covered Under NDIS Respite Care in 2025?

The NDIS continues to recognise respite care as a core support service in 2025, and understanding what's covered can help families make the most of it. Here's what you can expect:

• Short-Term Accommodation Services: The NDIS covers the cost of NDIS respite accommodation and care in another place for up to 14 days at a time, with up to 28 days available per year. This includes both shared and individual accommodation options, which allows participants to stay away from their usual home environment while receiving appropriate support.

• 24/7 Support and Supervision: Respite care funding covers round-the-clock support provided by qualified disability support workers who can assist with activities of daily living, personal care, medication management and social engagement customised to the needs of every participant.

• Accommodation and Living Costs: All reasonable accommodation expenses are covered – including meals, utilities and basic accommodation during the respite period, which ensures that participants feel comfortable and like home.

• Transport and Travel Support: When respite care requires travel to and from the accommodation facility, reasonable transport costs are included in the funding allocation, which makes access easier for families.

• Recreational and Social Activities: Funding covers participation in community activities, social outings and recreational programs; all designed to enhance the NSID participant's quality of life and help with skill development during their stay.

• Specialist Equipment and Aids: If participants require specific assistive technology, mobility aids or medical equipment during their short-term stays in Adelaide under respite care, these costs are covered under the STA funding to ensure continuity of care.

• Individual and Group-Based Options: Participants can choose between staying in shared accommodation with other NDIS participants or opt for individual respite arrangements, depending on their preferences, support needs, and comfort levels.

• Emergency Respite Support: In urgent situations where regular carers become unavailable due to illness or emergency, the NDIS provides provisions for immediate respite care arrangements to ensure participants continue receiving the support they need.

• Skill Development Programs: Respite care funding includes activities and programs designed to help participants develop independent living skills, social connections and confidence in a supported environment, which contributes to their overall NDIS goals.

• Flexible Duration Options: While individual stays are typically limited to 14 days, participants can access multiple respite periods throughout the year, with arrangements that can be customised to specific family needs and circumstances.

• Personalised Care Plans: Each respite experience is personalised to the participant's individual goals, interests, and support requirements. This helps ensure that the time away from home effectively contributes to their overall objectives of the NDIS plan.

• Family Communication and Updates: Regular updates and communication with families during respite periods are covered. This allows caregivers to stay informed about their loved one's wellbeing, activities and any developments during their short-term stays in Adelaide.

How to Access NDIS Respite Care

To access respite care services, participants must have STA funding allocated in their NDIS plan. This funding is reviewed during regular plan reviews and can be requested if not currently included. The amount of funding varies based on individual circumstances, support needs and the frequency of NDIS respite accommodation required.

It is also important to note that respite care services must be provided by NDIS-registered providers, like Tibii that meet strict quality and safety standards. These providers undergo regular audits and must maintain appropriate qualifications and insurance while conforming to NDIS practice standards to ensure the highest quality of care.

Making the Most of Your Respite Care Experience

Quality respite care should feel like a positive experience for both participants and their families. The best NDIS-registered providers focus on creating homelike environments with modern amenities, offering personalised support that aligns with individual interests and goals, and providing opportunities for developing key skills, building social connections and becoming independent.

When choosing a respite care provider, families should look for services that offer transparent communication, experienced and compassionate support workers, and flexible arrangements that can adapt to changing needs of the participant over time. It is also important to find providers who understand that respite care is not just about providing a service – it is about ensuring the wellbeing of the entire family.

Take the Next Step with Tibbi

If you are considering respite care for yourself or a loved one, or if you would like to learn more about what NDIS Short-Term Accommodation can offer, professional guidance can make all the difference in finding the right solution.

Contact Tibii today – as a NDIS-registered provider, specialising in respite care and Short-Term Accommodation in Adelaide, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced team can help you understand your funding options, explore suitable accommodation arrangements while ensuring your respite care experience meets your family's unique needs.

Let Tibii support you and your family with professional STA services, so you can focus on living life to the fullest with the peace of mind that your loved one is in capable, caring hands. Call us at 1300 736 731 or write to us at info@tibii.com.au to discuss how we can provide the quality respite care your family deserves.