What are the New Short-Term Respite and Invoicing Changes?

Key Points:

• The NDIS is now strictly enforcing that Short-Term Respite – STR (formerly Short-Term Accommodation – STA) is for disability-related support and providing a break for carers, not for general leisure travel or holidays.
• Providers must itemise invoices by component (accommodation, support, activities, meals) to clearly justify all costs to the NDIA.
• STR continues to be funded through your Core Supports budget, but there are limits.
• Every STR stay must be documented to show how it helps you work toward a specific goal in your NDIS plan.

Summary:

The NDIS has clarified and tightened the rules for what is now called Short-Term Respite (STR), moving away from the previous term, Short Term Accommodation (STA). The central rule is that funding must be used for genuine disability-related respite or skill-building breaks, not for holidays. To enforce this, the NDIA now requires providers to submit detailed invoices. These invoices must break down charges into separate components like accommodation, support costs, meals, and activities.

Outline:

1. Introduction
2. What are the Key Updates to STR?
3. How will the Changes to STR Affect NDIS Invoices?
4. How AIIM Choices Helps You Stay Compliant

If you use your NDIS plan for a short break, you need to pay close attention. The rules around what used to be called Short Term Accommodation (STA) have been updated, and the NDIS is now much stricter. The support is officially being called Short Term Respite (STR), which tells you exactly what the focus is: giving you and your carers a necessary rest.

The NDIA has tightened the rules for providers, demanding invoices show a clear, detailed breakdown of all costs. It should include accommodation, support, and activities to prove the stay is truly for disability-related respite, not a holiday. 

As your Plan Manager, we’re here to walk you through these changes so your funding remains safe and your claims are processed smoothly. Our NDIS plan managers will make sure you know what counts and how to get it right!

These changes, which came into effect recently with updated guidelines released in October 2025, mean we all need to be a little more careful about how we use and claim this funding.

What are the Key Updates to STR?

Probably the most important update about the changes to STA is the NDIS’ focus on respite. More specifically, NDIS short-term respite is not considered a holiday.

• STR is for respite.
  • Short-term respite may include:
  • support to help with everyday activities
  • standard accommodation for you
  • standard accommodation for a support worker if overnight support is needed.
• It must relate to your disability. The stay must be necessary because of your disability support needs, not just for a holiday or leisure trip.
• A stricter review is happening. The NDIA is now much stricter. They may reject claims that look like a simple vacation, such as paying for flights, cruises, or theme park tickets. This is the participant’s responsibility to fund.
• Group settings still cover meals and activities. When you stay in a group setting for respite, the accommodation, meals, activities, and support costs are often bundled into the daily rate.
• Limits remain. The funding is usually limited to 28 days per year, with a maximum of 14 days at any one time. It is also limited with what’s listed in your NDIS plan.

To better understand short-term respite and how it can help you, see our comprehensive guide for NDIS participants and families.

How will the Changes to STR Affect NDIS Invoices?

The transition from STA to STR means that providers must now give much more detailed invoices. This level of detail is necessary to prove the support was genuinely for respite and not a holiday.

Here is what the NDIS now expects providers to show clearly on their invoices and supporting documents:

Invoicing Detail	What It Covers
Accommodation Component	The daily or hourly charge for the safe, accessible accommodation itself.
Daily Living/Care Support	The cost of support workers helping with personal care (showering, dressing) and daily tasks.
Activity Costs	Costs for any organised activities you participated in during the stay that help you work toward your NDIS goals (e.g., a skill-building group).
Meals	The cost of meals, particularly if you are in a shared or group setting where these are bundled into the daily rate.
Goal Alignment	A clear note on how the stay and activities met one or more goals in your NDIS plan.
For Providers	Case notes are required by the NDIS.

The bottom line: If a provider does not itemise the costs clearly, the claim may be rejected by the NDIS.

How AIIM Choices Helps You Stay Compliant

As your Plan Manager, we are by your side:

1. We check the details. We scrutinise invoices to ensure they include all the newly required component breakdowns.

2. We use the right codes. Short-term accommodation respite for NDIS is funded under your Core Supports budget. We make sure the provider uses the correct line-item code for Short-Term Respite.

3. We advise on what’s reasonable. If a quote for a stay looks like it includes holiday-related extras, we will flag it with you before any funds are paid.

If you are planning a Short-Term Respite stay, please chat with your plan manager, provider or the Support Coordinator first. Get a clear service agreement from your provider and ensure the activities have a genuine respite or skill-building purpose. This will ensure your funds are used correctly and claims are paid smoothly.

At AIIM Choices, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re unsure how to plan your stay or need help checking that your arrangements meet the latest Short-Term Respite guidelines, our friendly team is ready to support you.

Already receiving plan management somewhere else, but thinking about switching plan management? We can help you move across easily, with no stress and no interruption to your support. Our NDIS plan management services are designed to give you clarity, confidence, and a team that listens.

We proudly support NDIS participants across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Darwin, and we’re always just a phone call or email away.

If you have any questions about planning your respite, or if you’d like help making sure your break is funded correctly, please reach out. We’re here to make the NDIS feel easier and ensure you feel supported every step of the way.