Caring rarely announces when it has become too much. It builds quietly, one disrupted night and one skipped appointment at a time, until a parent, partner or sibling is running on empty. NDIS respite exists for exactly that point, and the support behind it now has a clearer purpose than it used to.
The practical question that follows is simple: how many days are Melbourne carers actually entitled to, and what counts towards it? Since 20 October 2025, the NDIS has called this support Short Term Respite (STR) rather than Short Term Accommodation (STA), a change that reflects that sharper focus on giving carers an actual break. It is generally funded for up to 14 days at a time, to a maximum of 28 days a year, for participants whose primary informal carers provide at least six hours of disability-related support a day (NDIS, 20 October 2025). If your plan still uses the older STA wording, that is fine, it covers exactly the same entitlement.
How Many Respite Days Am I Entitled To Under NDIS?
There is no automatic entitlement. Respite is funded when it is reasonable and necessary, and the amount depends on your circumstances. As a general guide:
- Up to 14 days in a row per stay
- Up to 28 days total per calendar year, in most cases
- Funded under Core Supports, specifically Assistance with Daily Life
- Available when you live with, or get daily drop-in support from, an informal carer for six or more hours a day
- For children under 18, only approved in exceptional circumstances
Extensions beyond 28 days are possible but rare, and only where a carer’s health or the participant’s support needs make it clearly necessary.
NDIS Respite Has a New Name. Here’s What Changed
The rename from STA to STR was not just cosmetic. The updated guideline shifts the focus away from accommodation and “trying new things” towards giving informal carers, family members, partners, friends, a genuine break so they can keep going in their caring role. In practice, that means:
- Funding requests now need a clearer link to your carer’s wellbeing, not just your own goals
- Respite is explicitly not for holidays, skill-building or tourism
- Both terms appear in plans and conversations for now, STA and STR mean the same support
If your plan still says Short Term Accommodation, you do not need to request a wording change. It covers the same support either way.
The Carer Statement: Your Best Tool for Getting Respite Approved
If there is one document that decides whether respite gets approved, it is the carer statement. This is a short written account from your informal carer explaining their role, in their own words.
A useful carer statement usually covers:
- What daily support they provide, and roughly how many hours
- How caring affects their own health, work or family life
- Why a planned break would help them keep supporting you long term
- Any recent changes, such as declining health or a new diagnosis
There is no official template, so clarity matters more than length. If you are heading into a planning meeting or review, our guide to creating your NDIS plan walks through what to bring and how to frame these conversations with your planner or LAC.
Respite Options for Melbourne Carers
Melbourne families generally have three respite paths, and the right one depends on timing as much as funding:
- In-home respite: a support worker comes to you, ideal for shorter or regular breaks
- Community or centre-based respite: structured activities during the day, useful for working carers
- Short Term Respite (overnight or longer): a stay away from home, the most planning-intensive option
A practical note for Melbourne carers: STR places book out quickly, particularly around school holidays, so it pays to lock in dates as early as your plan allows. If you would rather start with something lower-commitment, our in-home support services page covers what regular in-home respite looks like, and our accommodation options page lists current STA/MTA availability across Melbourne, including properties within easy reach of weekend destinations such as the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
Why This Matters: The Numbers Behind Australia’s Carers
This is not a niche issue. There were 3 million unpaid carers in Australia in 2022, around 11.9% of the population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022). Most are caring for a family member, many alongside work and their own health needs. Respite is not a luxury for this group, it is one of the few formal mechanisms that keeps informal care sustainable.
Choosing the Right Respite Provider
Not every provider handles STR the same way, and the questions you ask before signing matter. Our NDIS provider checklist covers exactly what to ask before committing, and the same questions apply just as well to a respite stay as to any other support.
Book a Free Respite Consultation with MyCare CSS
If you are unsure whether respite is in your plan, or how to make the case for it in your next review, MyCare CSS offers a free, no-obligation consultation. We will talk through your current support, help you prepare a carer statement if you need one, and match you with the right respite option. Get in touch with our team to get started.
FAQs
How many respite days am I entitled to under NDIS?
There is no automatic entitlement. Most participants are funded for up to 14 days at a time and 28 days a year, provided respite is reasonable, necessary, and linked to giving an informal carer a genuine break.
What is a carer statement and do I need one?
A carer statement is a short written account from your informal carer explaining their role and why respite would help them keep supporting you. It is the strongest evidence you can bring to a planning meeting.
Is Short Term Accommodation the same as Short Term Respite?
Yes. The NDIS renamed Short Term Accommodation (STA) to Short Term Respite (STR) in October 2025. Both terms describe the same support, and plans using the older wording do not need to be amended.
