Respite care costs vary significantly depending on the type of respite, level of support needed, and when services are provided. Understanding pricing helps you plan respite use effectively within your NDIS budget and ensures you're not paying more than you should.
NDIS Price Guide Basics
The NDIS Price Guide sets maximum prices providers can charge for respite services. Providers can charge less than the maximum but never more. Prices vary based on time of day (weekday, evening, weekend, public holiday), support ratio (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, or group), and whether the respite is in your home or at a facility.
All prices are GST-inclusive. If you're plan-managed or self-managed, always check invoices match Price Guide rates. NDIA-managed participants have prices automatically checked by the NDIA.
In-Home Respite Costs
In-home respite brings support workers to your home to care for your family member whilst you take a break. Costs are charged hourly based on when services are provided. Weekday daytime (Monday-Friday 6am-8pm) typically costs around $58-$68 per hour depending on support complexity. Evening and weekend rates are higher, around $70-$85 per hour. Public holidays attract the highest rates at $110-$130 per hour.
These rates cover the support worker's time with your family member. If you need multiple workers (for lifting or safety), rates increase proportionally. Most in-home respite is booked in minimum 2-4 hour blocks.
Short-Term Accommodation (STA) Costs
STA provides overnight or longer respite stays in supported accommodation. Pricing is more complex than in-home respite as it covers accommodation, meals, and support workers. Daily STA rates range from $280-$450 per day depending on support needs. High-intensity support (1:1 overnight, complex medical needs) costs more than standard STA.
STA daily rates include accommodation, meals, and baseline support during waking hours and overnight. Additional daytime activities, excursions, or specialist support may incur extra costs covered by your Core Supports budget.
What's Included in STA Costs
STA rates cover a private or shared bedroom, all meals and snacks, baseline support and supervision, personal care assistance, and overnight support. Additional costs might include specialised activities, transport to outings, or intensive one-on-one support beyond baseline care.
What NDIS Respite Funding Covers
Your NDIS respite funding covers support worker wages, accommodation costs for STA, and meals during STA stays. NDIS respite funding does NOT cover entertainment or activity costs (cinema tickets, attraction entry), participant's personal shopping or treats, or transport costs if transport is funded separately in your plan.
Some providers include basic activities in their STA rate. Others charge separately for outings using your community participation budget. Clarify what's included before booking.
Emergency Respite Costs
Emergency respite (when carers become suddenly unavailable due to illness or crisis) uses the same NDIS Price Guide rates as planned respite. However, availability is limited and you may have less choice of providers. Emergency STA placements sometimes incur setup fees if arranged at short notice, though these should be reasonable and justified.
Plan ahead where possible. Regular planned respite prevents emergency situations and gives you better provider choice and cost control.
How Much Respite Funding Do You Need?
Respite funding in NDIS plans varies enormously based on carer needs and participant support requirements. Some plans include a few days monthly (roughly $3,000-$5,000 annually for in-home respite). Others fund weekly respite or regular STA stays ($15,000-$30,000 annually). Plans supporting intensive carer needs or complex support requirements may include $50,000+ annually.
Discuss carer needs honestly during planning meetings. The NDIA assesses respite funding based on risk of carer burnout, intensity of support provided by family, and availability of other supports. Families who provide significant care deserve adequate respite funding.
Making Respite Funding Last
Maximise respite value by booking weekday daytime respite when possible (lowest rates), using group or higher ratio STA if appropriate for your family member, planning regular respite rather than only emergency use, and comparing provider rates (all must stay within Price Guide maximums but can charge less).
Regular shorter breaks often prevent burnout more effectively than occasional longer breaks, and cost less overall.
Need Quality NDIS Respite?
Life Assist Abilities Support provides professional respite care across Canberra with transparent pricing aligned to NDIS guidelines.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a day of NDIS respite cost?
In-home respite costs $58-$130 per hour depending on time and day. A full day (8 hours weekday) costs approximately $460-$545. STA respite costs $280-$450 per 24-hour period including accommodation, meals, and support. Costs vary based on support complexity and provider.
Are NDIS respite rates fixed or negotiable?
NDIS sets maximum prices providers cannot exceed. However, providers can charge less than the maximum. Some providers offer competitive rates below Price Guide maximums. Compare quotes from multiple providers whilst considering quality and suitability alongside price.
What if my respite funding runs out?
If you exhaust respite funding before your plan ends, you can request a plan review if circumstances have changed, pay privately for additional respite if financially viable, or wait until your next plan. Insufficient respite funding is grounds for an unscheduled plan review.
Does respite cost more for higher support needs?
Yes. Participants requiring intensive support, complex medical care, or challenging behaviours typically cost more per hour or day because they require more experienced workers, lower support ratios (1:1 rather than 1:2), or specialist skills. This is reflected in NDIS Price Guide categories.
Can I combine in-home respite and STA?
Yes. Many families use both — regular weekly in-home respite for short breaks plus occasional STA stays for longer breaks. Both draw from your Core Supports respite allocation. Plan usage across your plan period to ensure funding lasts.