STA vs MTA: Understanding the Difference & Choosing the Right Option
- STA (Short Term Accommodation) is for informal carer relief and skill-building — funded up to 28 days per year, it includes accommodation, meals, and support for participants with heavy informal care arrangements.
- MTA (Medium Term Accommodation) is strictly a housing bridge — covering accommodation only (no meals or personal care) for up to 90 days while a confirmed long-term housing solution becomes available.
- The key difference: STA is needs-based, MTA is transition-based — STA supports wellbeing and respite; MTA requires a confirmed permanent housing plan already approved by the NDIA.
- Participants cannot use MTA as a general housing solution — eligibility requires documented evidence of an incoming permanent arrangement such as SDA, SIL, or completed home modifications.
Under the NDIS, participants have access to several accommodation options designed to support independence, safety, and wellbeing. Two of the most commonly referenced supports are Short Term Accommodation, and Medium Term Accommodation (MTA). Although these two services sound similar, they are in fact quite different in purpose, funding, and eligibility.
Understanding the distinction between STA and MTA helps participants, families, support coordinators, and providers make informed decisions about the type of accommodation support that best meets a participant’s needs.
This guide provides a clear and expanded explanation of what STA and MTA are, how they work within the NDIS, who is eligible, how they are funded, and how providers can support participants in accessing them.
What Is Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a temporary support designed to help participants stay away from their usual home for a short period of time and to maintain the primary caring relationship.
STA focuses on the support being provided rather than the accommodation itself, and is available to provide respite from your usual care arrangements.
Short Term Accommodation (STA) is designed to:
- Sustain the participant’s informal care arrangements so they can continue living at home.
- Prevent carer burnout by providing planned or occasional relief.
- Support participant wellbeing through a change in routine, environment, or support workers when beneficial.
- Maintain stable home and family situations by reducing stress on caregivers.
Eligibility for Short Term Accommodation (STA)
Short Term Accommodation (STA) is available to NDIS participants who rely heavily on primary informal supports who tend to be family or unpaid carers.
You may be eligible if you:
- Live with your primary informal supports, or
- Receive daily drop-in support from them, and
- Rely on those informal supports for more than 6 hours of disability-related care per day.
For children, STA is funded only when:
- The child’s disability support needs are significantly greater than typical for their age, and
- Respite helps the family sustain their caring role.
Short Term Respite is not funded if you:
- Do not live with family or other informal supports, or
- Already receive extensive paid supports such as Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Individualised Living Options (ILO).
How STA Funding Works
The NDIS generally funds STA for up to 28 days per year, with a maximum of 14 days per stay. These days are flexible and can be used in various ways:
- One or two longer continuous stays
- A series of weekend stays throughout the year
- Short breaks that fit within the participant’s lifestyle
STA is generally funded from the participant's Core Supports budget. Some participants may have STA funding specifically identified within their plan, while others may use their Core Supports flexibly where the support is considered reasonable and necessary.
Has STA changed from 1 July 2026?
Yes.
From 1 July 2026, the NDIA introduced significant changes to the way STA is priced and claimed.
Rather than a single bundled daily support item, providers now claim separate components, including:
- participant accommodation
- support worker hours
- overnight support where applicable
- other claimable support items in accordance with the NDIS Pricing Schedule.
Participants should discuss these changes with their provider, as quotes, invoices and service agreements may now look different than they did previously.
What STA Includes
STA is an all-inclusive support that typically covers:
- Short-term respite accommodation
- Support worker assistance
- Personal care
- Meals and food preparation
- Activities and community participation
- 24/7 support if required
As STA includes meals, support, and activities, it provides a holistic and safe environment for participants to experience independence while still receiving the care they need.
STA Suitability
STA is ideal for:
- Participants wanting to try living independently or in a new environment
- Families or carers seeking respite
- Participants who need temporary support due to changes in routine or circumstances
- Participants wanting to build confidence, capability, and life skills
- People transitioning into Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and wanting to experience structured support first
What Is Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) provides temporary accommodation for participants who have a confirmed long-term housing solution but cannot move into that accommodation yet. It is not designed for respite, skill development, or long-term living, but rather serves as an essential transition support.
Purpose of MTA
MTA ensures participants are not left without safe housing while they wait for their intended permanent accommodation to become available. This allows participants to avoid hospital stays, inappropriate housing, homelessness, or transitioning to options that do not meet their disability-related needs.
MTA is commonly used when a participant is:
- Waiting for SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) to be completed or approved
- Waiting for home modifications to be finalised
- Transitioning out of hospital or aged care
- Waiting for long-term SIL or ILO support arrangements to begin
- At risk of homelessness or unsafe living circumstances while their permanent housing plan is pending
How Long MTA Last
MTA is funded for up to 90 days (three months) in most cases. In exceptional situations, it may be extended, but it is always temporary and tied to a clear housing plan which must be approved by the NDIA.
What MTA Includes
MTA covers accommodation only. It does not include:
- Meals
- Daily living expenses
- Personal care supports
- Utilities or general living costs
These ongoing supports must be funded through the participant’s Core Supports or separate NDIS funding categories.
MTA Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for MTA, the participant must have a confirmed long-term housing solution that is not yet ready. Examples include:
- An approved SDA dwelling awaiting completion
- Approved minor or complex home modifications
- A confirmed SIL or ILO arrangement that cannot commence immediately
- A discharge plan from hospital stating MTA is necessary
Participants who do not have a confirmed long-term plan are unlikely to receive MTA funding.
How to Determine Whether STA or MTA Is the Right Fit
Choosing between STA and MTA depends on the participant’s immediate needs and long-term goals.
STA Is Right If the Participant:
- Wants to develop independence or social skills
- Needs a break from their usual home environment
- Has informal supports who require respite
- Is trialling living away from home
- Needs short-term supported accommodation during a period of change
- Benefits from structured daily living support
MTA Is Right If the Participant:
- Has an approved long-term housing option pending
- Is transitioning out of hospital or aged care
- Is waiting for home modifications or SDA to be completed
- Requires safe, interim accommodation before moving into their permanent housing
- Has a confirmed support plan that cannot begin right away
Tips for Participants, Support Coordinators, and Providers
For Participants and Families
- Reflect on your goals when applying for STA or MTA.
- Keep documentation to support your request (e.g., discharge summaries, SDA approval letters).
- Communicate openly with your support coordinator or provider.
For Support Coordinators
- Provide clear evidence to justify the participant’s need.
- Document how STA or MTA aligns with the participant’s NDIS goals.
- Ensure requests meet the reasonable and necessary criteria.
For Providers
- Deliver STA in a goal-oriented way, keeping detailed progress notes.
- Ensure participants understand what MTA does and does not cover.
- Offer clear communication about expectations, costs, and responsibilities.
STA and MTA are both valuable NDIS supports, but they serve very different roles. STA provides short-term support, skill-building, and respite, while MTA is strictly temporary accommodation designed for transition periods.
Understanding the difference helps ensure participants receive the right support at the right time, and supports coordinators and providers can plan appropriately for safe, effective, and compliant service delivery.
We strive to keep our content accurate and up to date; however, NDIS Commission rules and requirements can change. For the latest information, visit the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website or contact our team.
FAQs
STA may be appropriate for short-term support needs, including providing time away from usual care arrangements, supporting informal carers, and building independence skills. However, STA is not intended to replace Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) when a participant requires temporary housing while waiting for their long-term home to become available.
MTA may be available when a participant has a long-term housing solution but cannot move into it yet because their disability-related supports or housing arrangements are not ready. This may include situations such as waiting for an SDA property to become available or for approved home modifications to be completed.
STA and MTA are separate NDIS supports designed for different purposes. Whether a participant can access either support depends on their individual circumstances, goals, and NDIS plan.
No. MTA funding covers the cost of temporary accommodation only. It does not include everyday living costs, meals, personal care, or other disability supports. These supports may need to be funded separately through other NDIS supports if the participant requires them.
Yes. STA may be funded for children where their disability-related support needs are significantly greater than what would typically be expected for their age, and where the support helps sustain the family’s caring role. STA does not replace normal parenting responsibilities.
Yes. STA can support participants to develop independence skills, experience different living arrangements, and explore options that may align with future goals, including preparing for greater independence.
Participants generally need evidence showing why they cannot move into their long-term home yet and details of their planned housing solution. This may include information about SDA, home modifications, or other confirmed long-term accommodation arrangements.
MTA is generally funded for up to 90 days. In limited circumstances, it may be extended if the participant still meets the funding criteria and there is evidence that the long-term housing solution is progressing.
STA is generally funded as part of a participant’s Core Supports. The availability and amount of STA funding depends on the participant’s individual circumstances, plan, and whether the support meets NDIS funding criteria.
Providers should ensure the support delivered aligns with the purpose of the participant’s NDIS funding. They should clearly explain what is included, maintain accurate records, and ensure the participant’s rights, preferences, and goals remain central to service delivery.
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