Respite care plays a vital role in supporting both people with disability and their carers. It gives family members time to rest, manage other responsibilities, or simply recharge — while ensuring the person receiving care stays safe and supported. Whether you’re exploring options for short-term accommodation or just need a few hours of help during the week, it’s important to understand how respite care is priced and what you can expect to pay per day.
The cost of respite care in Australia varies depending on the type of care provided, the location, and whether you’re accessing services through the NDIS or paying privately. This guide breaks down the daily costs, funding options, and key factors that influence pricing, so you can plan confidently.
What Is Respite Care and Who Is It For?
Respite care is short-term, temporary care designed to support someone living with a disability, health condition, or complex care needs. It also supports carers — giving them planned or unplanned breaks while someone else takes over the caring role.
Respite can be delivered in different ways:
- In-home respite: A support worker visits the person’s home and provides care for a set number of hours or overnight.
- Centre-based respite: The person attends a community-based centre for social activities, meals, and supervision.
- Residential respite (overnight or short-term): The person stays at a dedicated facility for a few nights or weeks.
- Emergency respite: Available when the primary carer is unavailable due to illness or unexpected circumstances.
Respite care may be used by NDIS participants, older adults receiving aged care support, or families who are privately funding the service.
Related: Who Is Eligible for NDIS Respite Care?
What Does Respite Care Cost Per Day in Australia?
Daily respite care costs in Australia generally range from $300 to over $800 per day, depending on several factors such as service setting, hours of care, support needs, and accommodation type. Here’s a general breakdown:
- In-home respite care: Expect to pay around $55 to $120 per hour, depending on the complexity of care and day of the week. A full day of care (e.g. 6–8 hours) might cost $400 to $700.
- Centre-based day respite: Daily rates typically fall between $100 to $200 for daytime-only programs that include meals and group activities.
- Residential or overnight respite: Prices range from $500 to $800+ per day, often including accommodation, meals, personal care, and overnight supervision. High-intensity support or one-on-one staffing increases the cost.
- Emergency respite: Costs can be higher due to short notice and complex needs, with rates similar to residential stays.
Weekend, public holiday, or after-hours care may also incur higher rates. Providers often bundle costs into a daily rate, but it’s important to ask what is included in that figure — such as meals, transport, medication management, or therapy support.
How the NDIS Covers Respite Care
If you’re a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), respite care is typically funded under Short-Term Accommodation (STA). STA is a flexible support that allows participants to live away from their usual home for up to 14 days at a time. It’s commonly used for respite.
Key points about NDIS-funded respite care:
- Daily rate (as of 2024–25 NDIS Price Guide): Up to $1,646.82 per day for 1:1 support during STA. Lower rates apply if supports are shared or if the participant’s needs are lower intensity.
- What’s included in STA: The daily cost typically includes accommodation, meals, personal care, supervision, and recreational activities.
- How many days are funded: Most participants can access up to 28 days of STA per year, usually in blocks of up to 14 days. More time can be requested if reasonable and necessary.
- Group respite: STA can be delivered in shared settings, which may reduce daily costs when two or more participants stay together and share support.
To use STA funding, it must be clearly identified in your NDIS plan. Your support coordinator or plan manager can help confirm availability and book a provider.
What About Private Respite Care Costs?
Not everyone accesses respite care through the NDIS. Some families pay privately, or use funding through aged care support. If you’re not eligible for the NDIS or don’t have STA included in your plan, here’s what to expect:
- In-home care:Privately funded in-home respite often starts at $55 per hour for standard support and increases to $80–$120 per hour for high-intensity needs or overnight stays.
- Residential respite care:Full-day and overnight stays may cost $300 to $700 per day, depending on the provider and level of care.
- Extras:Some services charge additional fees for transport, meal preparation, medications, or specialist care such as nursing.
- Medicare and private insurance:Medicare doesn’t cover respite care. Private health funds also typically exclude it unless it’s part of post-hospital care. Always check with the provider for exact pricing and policies.
Privately booking respite care gives you flexibility but can be expensive. Some providers offer short-term packages or discounted weekly rates — it’s worth asking.
Factors That Influence Respite Care Pricing
The cost of respite care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Providers set prices based on the level of care, staffing, setting, and additional services included. Common factors include:
- Location:Prices are often higher in metropolitan areas compared to rural or regional locations.
- Support level:Participants with higher needs, behavioural support requirements, or medical conditions may need 1:1 staffing, which increases cost.
- Time of service:Evening, overnight, weekend, or public holiday support attracts higher pricing than weekday services.
- Setting and amenities:Private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, community activities, and transport may all influence the total daily rate.
Always request a full quote or statement of what is included in the daily rate. This prevents surprises and helps with budgeting or NDIS plan review requests.
Tips for Managing and Reducing Respite Care Costs
While respite care is essential, it can be a large expense — especially for private payers. Here are some ways to manage or reduce costs:
- Use NDIS funding wisely:Work with your support coordinator or plan manager to book respite that fits your plan and avoids overspending.
- Group or shared stays:Some providers offer group respite or shared accommodation options to reduce per-day costs.
- Book early:Planning ahead helps secure availability and may avoid higher last-minute booking fees.
- Ask for flexible pricing:Some providers offer sliding-scale fees, bundled rates for multiple nights, or discounts for off-peak bookings.
- Review your plan regularly:If respite is becoming more frequent, it may be time to review your NDIS plan and request increased funding under STA or Core Supports.
Final Thoughts
The cost of respite care per day in Australia depends on the type of care you need, who provides it, and how it’s funded. While in-home respite might cost $400 to $700 per day, residential or overnight respite can range from $500 to $800 or more — especially if high-level care is involved. The NDIS covers respite through Short-Term Accommodation, with daily funding limits that include meals, support, and housing.
For families and carers, understanding how pricing works helps you plan ahead and avoid financial stress. Whether you’re using NDIS, paying privately, or considering shared options, it’s always worth speaking with providers directly, comparing quotes, and getting support from your plan manager or coordinator.
Want help finding respite care on the Gold Coast? Contact our team today.
