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Caring for a loved one is rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting. That’s where respite care becomes essential. Whether you’re planning a holiday, need to attend to personal matters, or simply require time to recharge, understanding the duration options for respite care helps you plan effectively while ensuring your loved one receives quality support.
Understanding Respite Care Duration
So, how long can someone stay in respite care? In Australia, the government subsidises up to 63 days of residential respite care per financial year for eligible individuals through aged care services. This allocation can be extended by an additional 21 days if approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), bringing the total to 84 days. The average respite stay in Australia is approximately three weeks, though the actual duration depends on individual circumstances and care needs.
For NDIS participants, the structure changed significantly in 2025. NDIS respite care, now officially called Short Term Respite (STR) following updates in October 2025, typically covers up to 28 days per year, usually accessed in blocks of up to 14 days at a time.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care is a temporary care service designed to provide relief for primary caregivers while ensuring their loved ones receive proper support and attention. It’s not just about giving carers a break—it also offers care recipients the opportunity to socialise, try new activities, and experience different environments in a safe, supervised setting.
There are several types of respite care available, each suited to different needs and situations.
Types of Respite Care and Their Duration
Residential Respite Care
This involves a temporary stay at an aged care facility or nursing home. Most providers require a minimum stay of two weeks, allowing the care recipient to settle in and benefit fully from the services while giving caregivers sufficient time to rest. Residential aged care respite can be particularly helpful following surgery or during periods when the primary carer is unwell or unavailable.
In Home Respite Care
For those who prefer familiar surroundings, in home respite care brings trained support workers to the person’s home. This option offers maximum flexibility, ranging from just a few hours to overnight stays. It’s ideal when carers need brief breaks but want their loved one to remain comfortable at home.
In-home respite is often delivered through Government Funded Home Care Services or the Support at Home Program, allowing families to tailor care hours based on their approved funding and support plan.
Community and Centre-Based Respite
This type of respite takes place in day centres or community settings, typically running from 10am to 3pm. It provides social interaction and activities while giving carers daytime relief. Many programs include transport to and from the centre, making it a convenient option for regular, scheduled breaks.
Cottage Respite
Available for overnight or weekend stays, cottage respite takes place in community locations rather than traditional care facilities. It’s typically accessed for two to three days at a time and offers a more home-like environment for short breaks, similar in approach to Home Made Support models that prioritise comfort and familiarity.
How Long Can Someone Stay in Different Respite Programs?
Aged Care Respite
Through the aged care system, eligible Australians can access 63 days of government-subsidised residential respite per financial year (July 1 to June 30). If your caring situation is assessed as complex or ongoing, ACAT can approve an additional 21 days. Beyond these subsidised days, families may choose to fund respite care privately.
NDIS Respite Care
NDIS respite care underwent important changes in 2025. Following updated operational guidelines released in October 2025, the service is now officially called Short Term Respite (STR). Participants typically receive funding for up to 28 days of Short Term Respite annually, accessed in blocks of up to 14 consecutive days.
The 2025 updates clarified that STR funding is explicitly designated for respite purposes and cannot be used for holidays, social camps, or tourist activities. This includes expenses such as cruises, holiday packages, airfares, and theme park visits. The funding now encompasses all expenses within a 24-hour period, including assistance with self-care, accommodation, food, and activities.
Families can use their allocation as one extended stay or spread it across multiple shorter visits throughout the year—perhaps one weekend per month or several week-long stays.
Support at Home Program
Major changes came to home care in 2025. From July 1, 2025, the previous Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme were replaced by the new Support at Home Program under the reformed Aged Care Act.
For those receiving Support at Home services, there’s no fixed annual limit on respite days. Instead, your program funding can be allocated to respite services based on your care plan and budget. This might include in-home care workers visiting for several hours daily or weekly, centre-based day programs, or contributions toward short residential stays.
How Much Does Respite Care Cost Per Day?
Understanding the costs helps you plan your respite care effectively. For government-subsidised residential respite through aged care, you’ll pay a basic daily fee currently set at 85% of the single age pension—$65.55 per day as of September 2025. This fee covers meals, accommodation, cleaning, laundry, and personal care during your stay.
Some providers may also charge a booking fee (capped at either $200 or one week’s basic daily fee, whichever is lower) to secure your placement. This fee is deducted from your overall charges once care begins.
For in home respite care funded through the Support at Home Program or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, costs typically range from $20 to $50 per hour, depending on the level of support required and your funding arrangement.
Private respite care costs vary more widely, ranging from $60 to over $200 per day, depending on the provider, location, and services included. Urban areas generally have higher rates than regional locations.
NDIS participants access respite through STR funding, with daily rates determined by the support ratio and timing. Costs can range from approximately $685 per day for group settings to over $1,600 per day for intensive one-on-one support.
New Aged Care Act Changes from November 2025
The new Aged Care Act commenced on November 1, 2025, bringing significant changes to residential aged care. However, residential respite fees remained largely unchanged under the new Act.
For respite care specifically, the basic daily fee structure continues, though residents entering permanent care after November 1, 2025, now face different fee arrangements, including hotelling contributions and non-clinical care contributions. These changes don’t directly affect respite stays but are important to understand when considering a transition to permanent care.
Factors That Determine Respite Duration
Several factors influence how long someone can stay in respite care:
Care Recipient’s Needs: Complex medical conditions or higher support requirements may affect the type and duration of respite available.
Carer Circumstances: The primary carer’s health, planned absences, or emergency situations all play a role in determining respite length.
Funding and Eligibility: Government subsidies have specific limits, though extensions may be available in particular circumstances.
Provider Availability: Popular respite facilities, especially during holiday periods, may have limited availability. Booking six to eight weeks in advance is recommended during peak times.
Recovery Progress: For respite following hospital discharge or surgery, the stay length often depends on how quickly the person regains independence.
Planning Your Respite Care
Effective planning ensures smooth transitions and the best outcomes for everyone involved. Start by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange an ACAT assessment for aged care respite, or speak with your NDIS planner if you’re accessing disability supports.
Consider your needs carefully—will a few hours of in-home support suffice, or would a longer residential stay provide better relief? Think about timing as well. If you’re planning respite during holidays or school breaks, book well ahead as these periods fill quickly.
Discuss your situation openly with potential providers. Ask about their policies on minimum stays, cancellation terms, and what services are included in the daily rate. Visit facilities beforehand if possible, ensuring they’re a good fit for your loved one’s preferences and care requirements.
Important Considerations for Respite Care 2025
With the aged care reforms now in effect, it’s essential to understand how the changes might impact your situation:
- The Support at Home Program offers more flexible funding arrangements than previous Home Care Packages
- NDIS Short Term Respite now has clearer guidelines about the appropriate uses of funding
- The basic daily fee for respite remains consistent at $65.55 per day (as of September 2025), indexed twice yearly in March and September
- Carers receiving Carer Payment can take up to 63 respite days per calendar year without their payment stopping
Getting Started with Respite Care
At BurDel, we understand that every caring situation is unique. We’re committed to providing compassionate, high-quality respite services that give carers peace of mind while ensuring their loved ones receive exceptional care in a supportive environment.
Ready to explore respite care options? Contact our team today to discuss your needs and discover how our respite services and broader Home Support Services can support you and your family with confidence and care.
