Refer a participant for Short Term Respite.
A practical page for support coordinators and referrers. Share enough context for Noon Care to assess plan fit, support needs, timing and capacity before anything is arranged.
Short Term Respite was previously called Short Term Accommodation, or STA. Noon Care uses the current STR wording while still recognising the older term in plans and referrals.
Referral fit
The goal is a clear yes, a clear next step, or an early no.
Referral quick facts
- For
- Support coordinators, referrers, participants and families.
- Support
- NDIS Short Term Respite, previously known as STA.
- Fit check
- Plan goals, support needs, dates, location and capacity.
- Response
- Most online enquiries are reviewed within one business day.
What helps us assess a referral quickly.
You do not need a perfect handover. The right early details help us understand whether the arrangement is likely to fit the participant's plan and support needs.
- 01
Participant and plan context
Participant name, NDIS plan dates if known, funding management type and the plan goals the respite arrangement is meant to support.
- 02
Current informal supports
Who provides daily unpaid support now, what is becoming stretched, and whether the enquiry is planned or short-notice.
- 03
Support needs and routines
Personal care, prompts, sensory or behavioural considerations, mobility, accessibility needs, communication preferences and overnight support context.
- 04
Dates and preferred location
Confirmed dates if available, or a flexible window. Include suburb, city and whether home-based, individual or group respite is being explored.
- 05
Useful documents
Behaviour support plans, OT reports, risk notes or support plans can help, but you can still start the referral while documents are being gathered.
- 06
Best contact person
Tell us whether to liaise with you, the nominee, the participant or another provider before the next step is arranged.
A referral path that respects everyone's time.
The research showed that coordinators and families need confidence quickly. This path is designed to reduce back and forth without overpromising availability.
- 01
Send the referral
Use the quote request form or contact page. Choose referrer in Step 1 if you are completing the longer form as a support coordinator.
- 02
We assess fit and capacity
The team reviews the participant's support needs, goals, preferred timing, location and whether Noon Care can realistically support the arrangement.
- 03
We clarify the next step
If the enquiry looks workable, we confirm what else is needed. If it is not a fit, we aim to say so early and plainly.
What Short Term Respite is not.
Not a holiday fund
Short Term Respite is disability-related support. It is not for general leisure, tourism or accommodation without a disability-related support need.
Not a guaranteed booking
Current capacity, support fit, location, staffing and plan context all matter before anything can be confirmed.
Not a one-size template
Staffing, overnight support and inclusions should reflect the participant's usual level of care and plan circumstances.
Referral questions, answered simply.
Can a support coordinator refer a participant for Short Term Respite?
Yes. Support coordinators can refer a participant, start a fit conversation or complete the quote request form on the participant's behalf where they have permission to do so.
What information helps Noon Care respond faster?
The most useful information is the participant's support needs, plan goals, preferred dates or timing, location, funding management type, support coordinator details and any behaviour or accessibility context we should know early.
Do we need all documents before making a referral?
No. Documents such as behaviour support plans or OT reports can help, but you can start with the information you have. We will let you know what else is needed before anything is arranged.
Is Short Term Respite the same as STA?
Yes. Short Term Respite is the current NDIS term for what was previously called Short Term Accommodation, or STA. Some plans and providers may still use the older wording.
Can STR be used as a holiday?
Short Term Respite is not a holiday fund. It needs to relate to the participant's disability support needs and NDIS goals, and to the usual caring arrangement around the participant.
Start with the referral form, or send a shorter message first.
If the situation is complex, a short first message is fine. If you already have the details, the quote request form gives us the cleanest handover.