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STR, SIL and MTA are three NDIS accommodation supports that are easy to confuse but serve very different purposes. Here is a plain English comparison to help you work out which one fits your situation.
NDIS accommodation supports come with a lot of acronyms, and it is easy to mix them up. STR, SIL and MTA all involve a participant being supported somewhere to live or stay, but they do very different jobs. Choosing the right one matters, because it affects your funding, your living arrangements and your day to day support.
STR: Short Term Respite
Short Term Respite (STR), also known by its NDIS line item name Short Term Accommodation (STA), is funded support for a short stay away from home, usually in blocks of up to 14 days. It gives the participant a change of environment and supports their regular carer to take a break.
STR is for short, planned or emergency breaks rather than an ongoing living arrangement. It is funded from your flexible Core Support budget. If this is what you are after, our full guide to NDIS Short Term Respite covers it in detail.
Note: STR can cover both planned breaks and emergency stays, and the accommodation can be self-contained or group based depending on what suits the participant.
SIL: Supported Independent Living
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is ongoing daily support in the home where you live. It funds the help you need with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, personal care and medication, often shared with housemates and frequently provided 24 hours a day.
SIL is about long term living, not a short break. It is funded from Core Support, but as an ongoing, regularly reviewed support rather than a one off stay. SIL is usually paired with a separate housing arrangement, because it pays for the support, not the bricks and mortar.
MTA: Medium Term Accommodation
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) bridges a gap. It funds a place to live for up to 90 days when a participant has somewhere lined up to move into but cannot yet, for example while waiting for home modifications or a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property to become available.
MTA covers the accommodation itself, not the daily support, and it is time limited by design. It is the right fit when your usual home is temporarily unavailable but a longer term solution is confirmed. Support coordinators often arrange MTA alongside STA, as explained in our note on MTA and STA referrals.
At a glance
The quickest way to tell STR, SIL and MTA apart is by purpose, length and what each one actually pays for.
| Support | Purpose | Length | What it pays for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STR | A short break | Usually up to 14 days at a time | Accommodation and support for the stay | Carers needing respite and participants wanting a change of scene |
| SIL | Ongoing daily living support | Ongoing | The support, not the housing | People needing daily support to live independently |
| MTA | A temporary place to live between housing situations | Up to around 90 days | The accommodation, not the daily support | People in a confirmed but delayed housing transition |
Which one is right for you
If you are after a short break, with or without your usual support worker, STR is almost always the answer. If you need consistent support to live day to day, that is SIL. If your long term home is sorted but not ready yet, MTA fills the gap. Many participants use more than one over time, and they are not mutually exclusive.
If you are unsure which applies to your situation, a quick conversation usually clears it up. We can talk you through the options, or point you to your support coordinator if SIL or MTA turns out to be the better fit. If funding is the sticking point, our guide on how to fund respite through your NDIS plan walks through where the budget comes from.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use STR, SIL and MTA at the same time?
They are not mutually exclusive, and many participants use more than one over time. They serve different purposes, so the right mix depends on your situation – a short break, ongoing daily support, or a temporary place to live between housing situations.
What is the difference between STR and STA?
They are the same thing. Short Term Respite (STR) is the everyday name, and Short Term Accommodation (STA) is the NDIS line item name for the same funded support.
Does Respite Stays offer SIL or MTA?
Respite Stays specialises in Short Term Respite accommodation, with optional 1:1 support, across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. If SIL or MTA turns out to be the better fit, we can point you to your support coordinator.
Need a respite break?
If Short Term Respite is what you need, we will help you plan it – call 0483 958 776 or send an inquiry.
Send a booking inquiry