Your Guide to the NDIS STA Funding Reforms: October 4, 2024

KinKera Community knows the new changes have brought in a whirlwind of confusion for NDIS support providers and participants, and we’re here to break it down for you in the easiest way! While the purpose of NDIS remains the same, which is providing funds for disability-related support, the avenues where the funding can be utilised have changed for participants.

The NDIS changes that took effect on October 3, 2024, bring significant adjustments in various areas of participant plans and how funds are managed. Outlined below is a comprehensive breakdown of the key reforms, highlighting provisions that the NDIS has ceased to cover, as well as those that continue to receive funding:

What is no longer funded (Post-Reform):

Holiday and Recreational Stays: STA will no longer fund accommodations that are primarily recreational, including holidays or breaks that are not related to disability support needs.

Repeated or Long-Term Stays: The NDIS will limit the funding of STA to short-term needs only. Repeated or extended stays beyond what is deemed necessary will not be covered.

Non-Disability Related Accommodation: STA will no longer cover accommodation costs that could reasonably be provided by mainstream services such as health or housing departments, as the NDIS now seeks to emphasize clearer distinctions between its funding responsibilities and those of other systems.

Lack of Transition Planning: If participants do not have a clear transition plan to long-term housing, NDIS funding for STA may be reduced or denied.

Accommodation for Participants Not Requiring Immediate Disability Support: STA funding is no longer available for participants whose primary need for accommodation is not directly linked to their disability support needs. This might include participants seeking housing while waiting for unrelated services.

Cost-Cutting on Excessive Stays: The reform imposes stricter oversight on the duration of STA funding to ensure it’s not overused or funding accommodations longer than necessary.

Service Provider Restrictions: The NDIS now requires that service providers delivering STA align with stricter NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission rules. Providers not meeting new standards are at risk of losing funding for their accommodations.

What is funded under the NDIS (Post-Reform):

Emergency Accommodation Support: STA is still available for participants in urgent situations or emergencies where other housing options are not immediately available.

Respite Care: The NDIS will fund STA for short-term respite needs, especially if the support helps alleviate the responsibilities of informal carers.

Transition to Permanent Accommodation: STA funding remains for those in the process of transitioning to long-term or permanent housing, particularly when no other temporary support is available.

Behavioral Support and Development: Participants who require STA to manage behavioral issues and to give time for therapeutic interventions to be put in place will continue to be supported.

Special Circumstances: STA may be funded when a participant is between major life changes, such as waiting for home modifications or moving between different housing supports.

These reforms aim to streamline NDIS STA funding, ensuring that resources are allocated only for essential and immediate disability-related accommodations. For information on KinKera’s NDIS-approved Transitional Accommodations (STA/MTA) or SDA Homes, head onto www.kinkera.com.au. KinKera remains committed to inclusive living and prioritizes the importance of understanding all information correctly, before moving forward on this journey.