Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)
NDIS Core support
Accommodation for a temporary period, while a person waits for a long-term home, a modification to be finished, or another arrangement to be in place.
The short answer
Medium term accommodation is housing for a temporary period, for example while waiting for a long-term home or for modifications to be finished.
About Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)
Sometimes a person cannot go straight from one living situation to the next. They may be leaving hospital and waiting for a home to be modified, or they may need somewhere to live while a long-term option is arranged. Medium term accommodation fills that gap.
It is different from respite, which is a short break with a return home. Medium term stays are longer and the aim is to bridge a period between one home and another. The accommodation may be in a purpose-built home, a shared house or another suitable place.
Before you move in, ask about what the home is like, what support is available, how long you can stay and how the move to your next home will be planned. Having a clear plan for what happens next reduces stress and helps make sure the stay does its job.
Who is this service for?
People who need somewhere to live for a temporary period while a long-term home or modification is arranged.
What a typical session looks like
Medium term accommodation is a place to live for a period while you wait for a permanent home or while arrangements are sorted out. A typical stay involves moving into a furnished home or unit, with support workers helping with daily tasks depending on your needs. It is intended as a bridge, not a final arrangement.
While you are there, work continues on finding a longer-term home and setting up the supports you will need. A coordinator may help with viewing properties, submitting applications and preparing to move. Life in the meantime carries on, with support to maintain routines such as work, study, appointments and time with friends and family.
Who delivers this support
Medium term accommodation is offered by housing and disability support providers, often with support coordinators helping you find and arrange it. Support in the home is provided by workers who understand the purpose of the stay and who can help with the next step. Ask about how the stay is arranged, how long it is likely to last and what happens if your permanent home is not ready.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about the type of home and the support available.
- Find out how long you can stay and what happens if your next home is delayed.
- Check accessibility, including bathroom and bedroom.
- Ask how the stay will be planned around your next move.
- Check how costs and rules are explained in the agreement.
Questions to ask a provider
- How long is a stay likely to last, and what happens if my permanent home is not ready?
- What support is provided in the home, and who is there at different times?
- How will you help me plan and organise my move to a long-term home?
- What do I need to bring, and what is provided?
- What are the house rules and how are shared spaces managed?
- How will you keep me connected with my routines and community?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the stay as permanent and not working on the next step.
- Not clarifying what happens if the stay needs to be extended.
- Not checking accessibility of the home for your needs.
- Leaving practical arrangements, such as mail and utilities, unresolved.
- Not using the stay to trial the supports you will need long term.
Getting started
- Talk to your planner or support coordinator about why you need temporary housing.
- Ask providers about availability and suitability.
- Visit if you can and check accessibility.
- Agree a plan for moving to your long-term home.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
MTA sits between crisis or short-term accommodation and long-term housing, and it works alongside housing search, support coordination and daily living support. It is a chance to try different arrangements and learn what suits you, so it makes sense to use the time to explore options and to plan the move.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Core supports help with everyday activities and are usually the most flexible part of an NDIS plan. If Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Core budget. Your plan shows how much you have and how it can be used. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Housing (SDA & SIL) providers on the NDIS register
12,965 NDIS providers list housing (sda & sil) supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing housing (sda & sil)
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
- 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW
See all 12,965 housing (sda & sil) providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (4,358)
- Victoria (3,830)
- Queensland (2,292)
- South Australia (1,277)
- Western Australia (1,098)
- Northern Territory (303)
- Australian Capital Territory (284)
- Tasmania (216)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (597)
- Melbourne, VIC (462)
- Sydney, NSW (354)
- Central Coast, NSW (274)
- Perth, WA (259)
- Adelaide, SA (244)
- Blacktown, NSW (229)
- Parramatta, NSW (207)
- Liverpool, NSW (200)
- Tarneit, VIC (184)
- Ipswich, QLD (171)
- Canberra, ACT (169)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Amazing Procare Toowoomba - 171 areas
- Allabilities Cares - 170 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
- Number 1 Care Provider - 134 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is medium term accommodation?
Accommodation for a temporary period, for example while waiting for a long-term home to become available or for modifications to be completed.
How is it different from respite?
Respite is a short break, usually with a return home. Medium term accommodation covers a longer period between one living situation and another.
What should I check before moving in?
Ask about the type of home, the support available, how long you can stay, costs and how a move to your next home will be planned.
How is this different from respite?
Respite is a short break with a return home. Medium term accommodation bridges a longer gap between homes.
Can I bring my own belongings?
Usually yes. Ask about space and what is provided.
Who helps me plan the move?
Your support coordinator or planner can help, together with the housing provider.
What is the difference between medium term and short term accommodation?
Short term accommodation is generally for a break or emergency, while medium term accommodation is a longer stay to bridge the gap until a permanent home is available.
Can I stay in medium term accommodation while I wait for my own home?
That is its purpose. The details, including how long you can stay, depend on the arrangement, so confirm them with the provider and your coordinator.
Will I have my own space?
Many homes offer a private bedroom with shared living areas, but arrangements vary. Ask to see the home and what is provided before agreeing.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)?
If Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.