HUGE NEWS for the NDIS community!
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has just released its new Short Term Respite (STR) Guidelines, and we couldn’t be more excited – because they finally endorse the kind of integrated, family-style respite care that Our Family Respite has been delivering since day one.
This update represents one of the biggest steps forward in years for participants, carers, and families – bringing greater flexibility, fairness, and recognition for the important role respite plays in every support network.
What’s New in the NDIS Short Term Respite Guidelines
The new guidelines officially confirm that Short Term Respite (STR) can now be delivered:
- In respite homes, hotels, cabins, cottages, or private “homestay” settings (like our host family respite homes)
- For up to 14 consecutive days at a time, usually 28 nights a year, but this can be unique to each NDIS plan
- With all required supports – including high-intensity or behaviour support – funded directly from a participant’s plan
This means the NDIS now recognises respite as more than just a bed for the night. It’s about keeping families strong, giving carers space to rest, and creating safe, nurturing environments that feel like home – not institutions.
Old vs New NDIS Respite Guidelines (Quick Comparison)
| Feature | Old Guidelines (Pre-Nov 2025) | New STR Guidelines (Nov 2025 Update) |
| Accommodation Types | Limited to STA facilities or specialist accommodation | Includes homestays, hotels, cottages & family homes |
| Duration | Typically 7 days at a time | Up to 14 days per stay, 28 nights per year |
| Support Types | Mostly standard 1:1 or group care | Includes high-intensity, behavioural & complex support |
| Flexibility | Restricted to specific venues | Fully flexible under participant’s plan |
| Focus | Service delivery compliance | Participant outcomes & family wellbeing |
| Recognition of Informal Supports | Minimal | Carers & families explicitly acknowledged |
This table highlights how strongly the NDIS has pivoted toward participant-centred care – exactly the kind of NDIS respite accommodation options that Our Family Respite has been advocating since the start.
Why This Update Is Great News for Our Family Respite
This NDIS update perfectly aligns with how we already operate at Our Family Respite. Our host-family model – where participants stay with caring, qualified families in warm, welcoming homes – is now officially validated as an approved form of NDIS Short Term Respite.
Here’s what makes us different:
- All activities and meals are included – no hidden extras or add-ons.
- We don’t always charge the maximum rates, even though most of our supports are 1:1.
- We price according to the participant’s actual needs, not a fixed staffing ratio.
- Every stay includes community outings, social connection, and meaningful engagement.
That means better value, more choice, and more enjoyable experiences – all while staying 100% compliant with the latest NDIS guidelines. Even if you’re already familiar with how NDIS respite funding works, it’s important you’re across these new changes as they may give you access to even more services moving forward.
What This Means for Participants and Families
These changes don’t just benefit participants – they also recognise the critical role of families and carers. The NDIS has published detailed information about how they help carers through short-term respite.
For participants and carers, these changes create real, tangible benefits:
1. More Choice of Where to Stay
Participants can now choose from a wide range of options – from peaceful rural stays to hotel-style accommodation near the beach. Our network of family hosts means each stay is personal, safe, and tailored to the individual.
2. More Flexibility in Funding Use
The updated guidelines give participants more control over how respite is delivered within their NDIS plan. This flexibility allows us to personalise stays and integrate behaviour support or community participation without needing multiple bookings.
3. More Holistic Support
We see respite as a complete experience – one that supports the participant and their family. That includes emotional wellbeing, independence, and confidence-building through meaningful daily activities.
And because Our Family Respite is a fully registered NDIS provider, we can safely support participants with complex behaviours, medical requirements, or Restrictive Practices (RPs) – areas where many unregistered providers cannot.
Real-World Impact: A Quick Example
When one of our participants, Liam, first joined Our Family Respite, his family was exhausted. They had struggled to find a provider who could manage behavioural complexities in a home-style environment.
After just two stays, his mum told us:
“It’s the first time in years I’ve been able to relax knowing he’s genuinely happy and cared for. This isn’t just a service – it’s a family.”
Stories like this are why these NDIS changes matter. They empower families to access the kind of personalised, community-based respite that works, and these new changes unlock even more ways we can provide the best possible support for your loved ones.
The Future of Respite Care Is Here
The new NDIS guidelines don’t just approve what we do – they expand what’s possible.
We can now offer Short Term Respite in even more locations – from beachside stays to supported hotel breaks – all under the new NDIS framework.
At Our Family Respite, we’re redefining respite care to be family-focused, inclusive, and joyful – exactly the way it should be.
Contact Our Family Respite, come experience the difference today!