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For families across Victoria, respite is a vital support that gives carers a break and gives participants a safe, supported stay away from home. This guide explains how respite works in Victoria, who is eligible, the types available, how it is funded through the NDIS, and how to arrange a stay with Respite Stays.
What is respite care in Victoria?
Respite, delivered through the NDIS as Short Term Respite (STR), lets a participant stay somewhere other than their usual home for a short period, usually in blocks of up to 14 days. The participant is supported during the stay while their regular carer rests, travels or attends to their own health. In Victoria, Respite Stays offers self contained, accessible homes across Melbourne and surrounding regions.
Eligibility and assessment
Respite starts with understanding the participant’s needs. You are likely to be eligible if your NDIS plan includes Core Support funding and a break would help your support network keep caring for you over the long term. A short conversation about the participant’s needs, any access requirements and the support involved helps us shape a stay that suits, before anything is confirmed.
Tip: Your support coordinator or plan manager can confirm what respite funding you have available and help you plan a stay.
Types of respite available
What a stay covers depends on the type of respite you choose, and the difference is worth understanding.
| Type of respite | What the stay covers |
|---|---|
| Group or facility based | Accommodation, personal care, meals and group activities bundled into a single daily rate, with several participants staying together. |
| Self contained | A private, fully equipped home to the participant, plus the support you arrange. Meals and day to day activities are self directed, so you or your support worker shop, cook and plan outings just as you would at home. |
Many families value the privacy and flexibility of a self contained stay, while others prefer the company and structure of a group setting. We can help you find the option that suits the participant.
How respite is funded through the NDIS
Respite is drawn from your Core Support budget, so in most cases you do not need a separate line item added to your plan. How you pay the provider depends on how your plan is managed: a plan manager pays on your behalf, self managed participants pay and claim it back, and agency managed participants need an NDIS registered provider. Respite Stays is registered, so we can support participants under any management type.
How to arrange a stay
1. Check your funding
Confirm you have Core Support funding available for respite. Your support coordinator or plan manager can help.
2. Choose your dates and location
Decide when you would like to stay and where in Victoria suits you best.
3. Request a quote
Tell us your dates, the support you need and any access requirements, and we will prepare a written quote.
4. Confirm and book
Once you are happy, your plan manager or support coordinator confirms the funding and we lock in the booking.
Respite Stays in Victoria
We are an NDIS registered provider of Short Term Respite accommodation, with self contained, accessible homes in Melbourne and across Victoria. Stays can include optional 1:1 support, so participants with higher needs are fully looked after. We hold ourselves to the safety and quality standards set out by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, so families can feel confident about every stay.
Ready to plan a break?
Check your respite funding or arrange a stay with our team. No obligation.
Send a booking inquiryFrequently asked questions
How many days of respite can I use in Victoria?
Many NDIS plans fund up to around 28 days of respite per year, commonly taken as one or two week blocks. The exact figure depends on what is reasonable and necessary for you, so check your plan or ask your support coordinator.
Where in Victoria are your respite homes?
We offer self contained, accessible respite homes in Melbourne and surrounding regions. Tell us where suits you and we will match you to a suitable home.
Is Respite Stays NDIS registered?
Yes. Respite Stays is an NDIS registered provider, so we can support plan managed, self managed and agency managed participants.