If you and the person who usually supports you need some time apart from your usual caring arrangement, it helps to plan the support early. The arrangement should be useful and suitable for you as well as the people around you.
“Respite” is used in different ways. Help at home, an ordinary holiday and NDIS short-term accommodation aren’t automatically the same funded support.
Begin with the support needed
Think about where you would be comfortable, what assistance needs to continue and how you communicate preferences. Include personal care, equipment, health-related instructions and the people you want involved.
Ask a potential provider what they can actually deliver, who will provide the assistance and how the arrangement is planned. Confirm availability before making other commitments.
Check the current NDIS rules
The NDIA’s current short-term accommodation guidance, dated 1 July 2026, describes support for time apart from usual caring arrangements.
You may also see the term “short-term respite” in the NDIA’s earlier announcement. The current pages use different terms, so check the linked guidance and ask your my NDIS contact how your own plan applies.
Funding is not an automatic entitlement to a stay. Your circumstances, plan and the actual support need to meet the rules. The guide describes funding usually up to 28 days a year, including examples of blocks up to 14 days.
Ask for costs separately
The current guidance excludes food and meals, holiday packages, airfares and event tickets. Don’t assume an “all-inclusive” package can be charged to a plan.
Ask what accommodation and assistance are included and what you would pay privately. Get the proposed charges and cancellation terms before booking, and confirm the relevant funding.
Consider other arrangements
Depending on what is needed, support at home or help attending an activity may also be worth discussing. Those services have their own funding and practical requirements.
When enquiring about a stay, ask the provider to confirm its service, available places and the assistance included. If you’re considering help at home or time out in Adelaide instead, you can ask Vana Care about its services.
