Can I use Short Term Accommodation (STA) to go on Holidays?
At Bunji Travel, we often receive enquiries from participants, their carers, and support coordinators about using NDIS funds for Short Term Accommodation (STA). An area of confusion is understanding the difference between Short Term Accommodation (STA) and a supported holiday.
It’s important to clarify these differences, as the NDIS can fund STA but not holidays, and understanding the difference is important when planning your next Short Term Accommodation support.
The NDIA’s Fraud Fusion Taskforce has been monitoring and is progressively taking action against service providers that are misusing or promoting the misuse of NDIS funds for holidays and cruises. As part of this, the NDIA has been writing to service providers in relevant industries to remind them about the scope of available NDIS supports for Short Term Accommodation (STA).
It is also important that these practices are called out and reported where necessary. As a registered NDIS provider, Bunji is regularly audited and assessed to ensure we are providing the highest quality of services.
What is Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
STA is a support under the NDIS designed for when you need to be away for a short period and require support to be away from home. This time away from home may be related to achieving NDIS related goals, to build capacity or in an emergency situation. The National Disability Insurance Agency states the use of STA funding should only be for the provision of:
Support from Support Worker i.e. for daily living, personal care.
Accommodation
Meals
Reasonable Transport
Agreed Activities
Short Term Accommodation can assist you to achieve a variety of goals including increased independence, build social networks and improve communication skills. Other benefits include improving your independent living skills, enhanced physical and mental wellbeing and building self confidence and self identity.
STA aims to help you try new things, develop skills, and maintain your living situation by giving your carers a break. Typically, the NDIS funds up to 28 days of STA per year, which can be used flexibly to suit your needs.
What is the difference between STA and Holidays?
As stated in the Short-Term Accommodation or Respite Guideline, STA is not for holidays. STA, if funded in a participant’s plan, will usually be for the purposes of respite or when the participant’s usual support network is not available for a short period. STA can include personal care, accommodation, food and/or activities. NDIS funding does not cover non- disability related daily expenses such as entrance fees and event tickets.
In appropriate circumstances, a participant’s plan may specify that NDIS funds may be used for:
Services provided by support worker/s which align with a participant’s usual level of daily or weekly disability core support.
Equipment to assist a participant to go on a holiday, for example, portable equipment and assistive technology related to a participant’s disability that is reasonable and necessary.
The cost difference for accessible transport and/or accommodation. If a participant’s transport and accommodation expenses are substantially higher due to their disability, they may be able to claim the difference between the cost of standard and accessible transport/accommodation.
It is important to note that this is why Bunji includes an Out of Pocket component to all of our experiences. This cost is the direct cost of living charges that relate specific to items on your experience that will not be covered by the NDIS. This is paid prior to your departure.
We will also ask you for your NDIS goals that align with the experience requested. This way we can ensure that the service is able to be tailor specifically to you and your needs.
We will break these costs down for you in the final quote provided prior to signing your service agreement. We encourage you to speak to your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager and/or NDIS Planner or LAC to ensure that the support is reasonable and necessary.