Short-Term Respite (STR) Assessments for NDIS Participants
STR funding provides respite support and temporary accommodation away from your usual home for up to 28 days per year. As part of this process, many participants complete an STR (short-term respite, previously known as Short Term Accommodation / STA) assessment to justify the need for respite. STR includes accommodation and meals, personal care, daily support, and activities aligned with the Participant’s NDIS goals. It is designed to provide informal carers with a break while offering Participants the opportunity to develop life skills, explore new environments, and build confidence and independence.
Short-Term Respite Assessment
What’s Included in an STR Assessment
A short-term respite assessment outlines the participant’s daily challenges, carer circumstances, environment, safety considerations, and functional limitations that support the need for respite.
Your report includes:
Daily living support requirements
Carer stress and capacity
Environmental and behavioural considerations
Evidence to support STR funding
Recommendations aligned with NDIS expectations
Our STR assessments ensure the justification is clear, detailed, and strongly aligned with the purpose of STR funding within NDIS requirements.
Why Choose OT Assessed for STR
Choosing OT Assessed means receiving compassionate, reliable, and well-evidenced support throughout your STR assessment process.
We offer:
Fast turnaround times with no waitlists
Person-centred and trauma-informed communication
Clear, NDIS-ready evidence
Telehealth availability Australia-wide
Supportive guidance for both participants and carers
We ensure the assessment reflects your lived experience, daily needs, and the therapeutic benefits of respite.
Book a Complimentary Discovery Call
Start your STA assessment today and receive a clear, structured, and supportive path to requesting STA through the NDIS.
Speak with our experienced team to ensure you're choosing the right service.
We'll explain:
Your available assessment options
How our assessment and report process works
Timeframes, costs, and expected outcomes
Whether our services align with your specific needs
Our goal is to make the process simple, transparent, and easy to understand from day one.
More info
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Your STR assessment follows the same process as a FCA, with additional focus on your home and living situation.
Your Occupational Therapist will:
Explore your current living environment and daily routine
Identify the most appropriate STR model based on your needs and goals
Clearly justify the need for STR under the NDIS Reasonable & Necessary criteria
Identify any risks if support is not provided (e.g. carer burnout, decline in functioning)
Where relevant, administer a Caregiver Strain Index
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STR may be suitable if you:
Need respite care to give informal carers a break while ensuring safe support
Require temporary accommodation during a change in circumstances or emergency
Are trialling independent living while preparing for longer-term options like ILO or SIL
Want to develop daily living skills and build confidence in a supported setting
Wish to engage in recreational or community-based activities aligned with NDIS goals