There are different options available with how to claim for overnight supports.

Option 1 – Short Term Accommodation or Respite (STA) 

This is a category 01 – Core Supports line item. Utilising this NDIS funding line item means that some of the costs associated with the support you are accessing, during any 24-hour period, will be covered within your NDIS funding. Those costs that can be covered under STA include accommodation and the cost for direct support provided during the period of support.

Costs that are not covered under this funding item include meals, flights, as well as activities that are non-disability related such as entrance fees, event tickets or other recreational pursuits. If accessing one of our overnight supports and utilising STA as a funding item, the above costs will be charged as out of pocket expenses, as they are considered non-NDIS supports.

The STA funding line item is designed to provide guests and their informal support networks with time apart, as a form of respite. While parents/carers and other informal supports benefit from some respite, Stellar will provide guests accessing the STA a setting that promotes social connection, engagement and belonging, as well as many opportunities for capacity building in alignment with each guest’s NDIS goals.

Option 2 – Group and Community Participation

This is a category 04 – Core Supports line item. Utilising this NDIS funding line item will cover the cost of the support provided during the period of support.

This line item will only cover the cost of the direct support provided. Each of the other expenses with the period of support will be charged as out of pocket expenses. This includes all accommodation, meals, activities, transport as well as any other expenses incurred during the period of support.

Utilising this line item only changes the structure of the cost breakdown, between NDIS and out of pocket costs. The support provided does not change, and will still provide the same level of social engagement, connection and capacity building opportunities.

STA is funded in a participant’s core budget if it relates to their disability support needs, and where it is reasonable and necessary. It does not need to be stated in a participant’s plan. Participants can access STA as part of the Category 01 Core Supports – ‘Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement’ on the NDIS supports list.

A Stellar staff member will always be in touch prior to you accessing one of our overnight supports to confirm how you would like to fund your support with us. If you have any questions regarding the funding you have available, and how you can appropriately use your funding to access these supports please do not hesitate to reach out!

No, there will always be an out of pocket cost associated with our overnight supports. This will generally be at a minimum any transport that cannot be covered under DIS guidelines, as well as some activities that are non-disability related such as entrance fees, event tickets or other recreational pursuits.

We will always endeavour to keep the out of pocket as low as possible for our overnight supports to ensure these supports are as affordable and accessible for everyone!

No, you cannot use STA for holidays or tourist travel. As mentioned above, this funding line item is designed to provide guests and their informal support networks with respite.

This funding line item cannot be used to pay for non-NDIS supports. This includes things such as: cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation and airfares, passports, visas, or travel and vehicle insurance, accommodation or travel expenses for family members or support workers, theme parks, music, theatre, cinema, sporting events, and conferences.

Yes, if a guest requires support on a holiday they can use their usual non-STA supports from their NDIS plan. This will generally be category 04 – Core Supports – Group and Community Participation. This only allows for the cost of direct support to be covered under NDIS funding.

Any other costs will be charged as out of pocket costs. These costs include all accommodation, meals, activities, transport as well as support worker related out of pocket expenses incurred during the period of support.