Navigating Short-Term Accommodation (STA) funding can be confusing, especially with the NDIA's recent increased focus on claims, leading to stricter decisions and longer review times. We work with families of children with complex disability and health-related needs to help them navigate STA funding and book stays for their child at Xavier Place.

What is STA?

Short-Term Accommodation (STA) in the NDIS is funding that covers temporary accommodation and support for people with disability when they need to stay somewhere other than their usual home.

Why is STA funded for children and young people?

The NDIS may fund STA when it directly supports your child’s disability-related needs, such as:

Respite care – Giving you a break while ensuring that your child receives the support they need.
Skill development – Providing opportunities for your child to build independence in a new setting.
Community participation – Helping your child to engage in social and recreational activities.

What does STA funding cover?

STA funding generally includes:
- Accommodation (up to 28 days per year, unless additional approval is granted)
- Support staff to assist with daily needs
- Meals and basic living expenses
- Activities to help build independence and promote community engagement

What STA is NOT for

STA is not for holidays or personal vacations. The NDIS will only approve funding if the stay is clearly linked to your child’s disability support needs.

What’s Changing?

While STA funding itself hasn’t changed, the NDIA is now more strictly enforcing its criteria. Because of this, we’re seeing:
- Longer processing times for STA claims as the NDIA reviews them
- More requests for additional information to support a claim for STA
- More STA claims being rejected including where claims are deemed as ‘holiday’ expenses.

Xavier Place and STA funding

Xavier Place is STA approved. This means that if you have STA funding in your child’s plan you will be able to use this for stays at Xavier Place.

What if I don’t have STA funding?

If your child doesn’t have STA funding in their plan and they meet the criteria to be eligible, we can help you to request STA funding in your child’s plan.

The NDIA will consider your claim based on:
- How STA relates to your child’s disability
- Whether it helps your child to pursue a goal
- How it supports their community participation
- If it is value for money
- The level of family or informal support that your child receives

We’re here to help

We here to support you with your STA questions. Simply email us at intake@xavier.org.au and we’ll be happy to help. If you’d like a tour of Xavier Place let us know, we’d love to show you and your child around.