Respite Care in Canberra — NDIS Respite & Carer Relief

What Is NDIS Respite Care?

Respite care is a vital NDIS-funded support that provides temporary relief for primary carers while ensuring participants continue to receive high-quality, engaging care. Whether you need a few hours of in-home support, a weekend away, or regular scheduled breaks, respite gives carers the time they need to rest, recharge, and attend to their own wellbeing — knowing their loved one is in safe, capable hands.

Life Assist Abilities Support is a registered NDIS provider delivering respite care services across Canberra and the ACT. We understand that caring for someone with disability is both rewarding and demanding, and that carers deserve support too. Our respite services are designed to be just as beneficial for participants as they are for families — offering new experiences, social connections, and opportunities for personal growth.

For an in-depth look at how respite works under the NDIS, read our guide on NDIS respite care explained.

Types of Respite Care We Offer in Canberra

Life Assist Abilities Support provides several types of respite care, each tailored to suit the participant's needs and the carer's circumstances.

How Is Respite Care Funded Under the NDIS?

Respite care is funded through two main areas of your NDIS plan. In-home respite typically falls under Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Life, using the same funding that covers support workers for daily tasks and personal care assistance. Overnight and weekend respite stays are funded through Short Term Accommodation (STA), which is a separate line item in your plan specifically for temporary accommodation with support.

STA funding covers both the accommodation and the support worker costs during the stay. The rates are set by the NDIS Price Guide and vary depending on the day of the week, the time of day, and the participant's support ratio. For detailed information on costs, see our guide on how much NDIS respite costs.

What Happens During Respite With Us?

Respite with Life Assist Abilities Support is far more than supervision — it is an opportunity for participants to enjoy new experiences, build skills, and connect with others. Every respite arrangement is individualised, based on the participant's interests, goals, and support needs.

• Recreational activities tailored to the participant's interests and abilities
• Social outings to parks, cinemas, cafés, and community events across Canberra
• Continued personal care, medication support, and meal preparation
• Skill-building opportunities such as cooking, budgeting, and self-care routines
• Emotional support and companionship from trained, consistent workers

We also provide emergency respite for unexpected situations — when a carer falls ill, has a family emergency, or simply needs urgent relief. Our team works to accommodate emergency requests as quickly as possible.

Canberra Regions We Serve for Respite Care

Life Assist Abilities Support delivers respite care across all major districts of Canberra and the surrounding ACT region.

How to Book Respite Care With Us

Booking respite through Life Assist Abilities Support is straightforward. You, a family member, or your support coordinator can contact us to discuss your needs. We will work with you to understand the participant's preferences, any specific care requirements, and the type of respite that would be most beneficial.

For regular scheduled respite, we recommend booking in advance so we can assign consistent, familiar support workers. Emergency respite requests are handled on a case-by-case basis — we do our best to accommodate urgent needs within short timeframes.