Contents
Not every respite stay needs the same level of support. This guide explains what 1:1 support is during Short Term Respite (STR), who it suits, and how it is funded through your NDIS plan.
What 1:1 support means
1:1 support means one support worker is dedicated to one participant for the agreed hours of the stay. Rather than sharing a worker’s attention, the participant has consistent, focused support for their personal care, safety, communication and activities.
In NDIS terms this is a support ratio, where 1:1 is one worker to one participant. Lower intensity stays might use a shared ratio such as 1:2, where one worker supports two participants who are comfortable with that arrangement.
| Support ratio | What it means | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | One worker dedicated to one participant | High support needs, close supervision or behaviour support |
| 1:2 | One worker shared between two participants | Lower intensity needs where sharing is comfortable |
Who needs 1:1 support during respite
1:1 support is usually the right fit when a participant:
- has high physical support needs, such as full assistance with transfers, personal care or mealtimes;
- needs close supervision for safety, including risks around mobility, seizures or leaving unsupervised;
- has complex communication needs that require a worker who can focus fully on them;
- has behaviours of concern that are best supported by one consistent person following a behaviour support plan;
- simply feels more settled and secure with dedicated, one to one attention.
If you are not sure what level fits, it is worth reading how respite can be tailored to individual needs, then talking it through with us.
How 1:1 support works during a stay
1:1 support fits naturally within a respite stay. In a self-contained stay the participant has their own private home, and their support worker provides dedicated care around the participant’s own routine.
You can also choose to bring your own trusted support worker, or have us arrange experienced workers who suit the participant’s needs.
Your choice: Bring a support worker you already know and trust, or let us match experienced workers to the participant. Either way, the support is dedicated to one person.
How is 1:1 support funded?
1:1 support during respite is funded from your Core Support budget, the same budget that funds the stay itself. Because dedicated support is more staff intensive, it is priced accordingly, and the NDIS price arrangements set different rates for weekdays, weekends and public holidays.
The key point is that the support is matched to genuine need, so a participant who requires 1:1 is funded for 1:1. We always set out the full cost in writing first, and our guide on funding respite through your NDIS plan explains the budgeting side.
In writing first: Before any stay we provide the full cost in writing, including the support ratio and the relevant weekday, weekend or public holiday rates.
Getting the level of support right
The goal is always the right support, not the most support. We take time to understand the participant’s needs before a stay so the ratio, the worker and the environment all fit. That is what makes a respite break safe and genuinely restful, for the participant and their family.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 1:1 and 1:2 support?
1:1 means one support worker is dedicated to one participant. 1:2 means one worker supports two participants who are comfortable sharing that arrangement, which suits lower intensity needs.
Which NDIS budget pays for 1:1 support?
It comes from your Core Support budget, the same budget that funds the stay. Rates vary for weekdays, weekends and public holidays, and we confirm the full cost in writing first.
Can I bring my own support worker?
Yes. You can bring a trusted support worker you already use, or we can arrange experienced workers matched to the participant’s needs.
Need dedicated support for a stay?
Call 0483 958 776 or send a booking inquiry and we will work out the right level of support together.
Send a booking inquiry