NDIS Short Term Accommodation (STA) Surf Coast Victoria

Deśa Retreat is a boutique Short Term Accommodation provider in Jan Juc, on Victoria’s Surf Coast, five minutes from Bells Beach.

We offer NDIS-funded STA stays for plan-managed and self-managed participants in a private villa setting that feels like a home, not a facility.

Three private villas, a yoga studio, sauna, cold plunge, coastal access, and a team that genuinely cares.

We support plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants only. We are an unregistered NDIS provider. Agency-managed participants must use a registered provider.

 

NDIS Enquiry

Short Term Accommodation — how it works

STA exists to give informal carers, family members or others who regularly support a participant, a temporary break from their caring role. The participant stays with us at Deśa; their carer gets time to rest and recharge at home.

To access STA funding, participants generally need:

  • An informal carer as part of their day-to-day life
  • STA or Short Term Respite (STR) funding written into their NDIS plan
  • Plan management or self-management (not NDIA-managed)

Stays are available from 2 to 14 nights, up to 28 nights per year in line with NDIS guidelines.

Stay options 

  • 2 nights | Check-in Friday from 3pm, check-out Sunday by 11am
  • 3 nights | Check-in Sunday from 3pm, check-out Wednesday by 11am
  • 5 nights | Check-in Sunday from 3pm, check-out Friday by 11am
  • Custom stays | 6 to 14 nights available on request

NDIS 2026-27 Pricing — Unbundled STA

From 1 July 2026, the NDIS moved to unbundled STA pricing. Instead of a single daily rate, STA is now invoiced across separate line items based on the actual accommodation, support worker accommodation, support hours, and sleepovers delivered.

All invoicing is done by Deśa directly to your Plan Manager, you don’t need to manage this yourself.

Line Item Code Rate
Participant Accommodation 01_250_0115_1_1 $162.85 / day
Support Worker Accommodation 01_251_0115_1_1 $162.85 / day
Sleepover (per night) 01_206_0115_1_1 $311.79 / night
Support — Weekday 01_200_0115_1_1 $73.58 / hr
Support — Saturday 01_202_0115_1_1 $103.54 / hr
Support — Sunday 01_203_0115_1_1 $133.50 / hr
Support — Public Holiday 01_204_0115_1_1 $163.46 / hr

Rates are current as at 1 July 2026. Your actual invoice will reflect your exact stay dates and day mix. Invoiced to your Plan Manager on checkout day. Stays including weekends or public holidays will vary. Contact us for a quote based on your exact dates.

      Carer Support

      A key purpose of a Short Term Respite to provide temporary care so informal carers can rest.

      Deśa provides reliable, short-term care so that carers can:

      • Take time to rest and recharge

      • Attend to other responsibilities

      • Maintain their own health and wellbeing

      We support participants with daily living while their carers take a break.

      Our Approach

      We aim to provide a calm, respectful, and supportive environment where participants feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for during their stay.

      Supports are tailored to each individual, promoting dignity, routine, and continuity of care.

      Who is this Support for?

      This service is suitable for NDIS participants who:

      • Live with, or rely on, informal supports (e.g. family, carers)

      • Require temporary replacement of daily supports

      • Would benefit from a structured, supportive environment away from their usual home

      • Have STR funding included in their NDIS plan

       

       

      Meet Doug.

      Chief Security and Wellbeing Officer at Deśa Retreat. He might bark when he first meets you. Don’t take it personally. He’s just doing his due diligence.
       
      Once you pass the sniff test, prepare yourself for arms full of fluffy groodle unconditional love.
       
      Doug doesn’t know what stress or overthinking is, or the particular kind of exhaustion that comes from carrying too much for too long.
       
      What he does know is a walk along the Surf Coast clears something in a person that nothing else can. And he will happily accompany you on every single metre of it, ears bouncing, paws thundering, absolutely certain that this is the greatest adventure either of you has ever been on.
       
      🐾 He will greet you, walk with you, and love you without reservation, which, when you think about it, is exactly what this place is all about.
       

      Your Short Term Respite: A Simple 3-Step Process

      Step 1: Submit an Enquiry

      To get started, simply complete our enquiry form and share a few details about yourself, your support needs, and your preferred dates. This helps our team gain an initial understanding of your situation so we can begin supporting you in a way that feels appropriate, aligned, and comfortable.

      Step 2: Optional Personal Discovery Sessions

      Once we receive your enquiry form, we offer an optional Personal Discovery Session to help you feel comfortable and supported before your stay.

      This gentle session provides an opportunity to:

      • Ask any questions you may have
      • Get to know our team, including Emma
      • Talk through your needs, preferences, and any concerns
      • Ensure the experience feels right for you

      We can connect with you, and if appropriate, your Support Coordinator or Support Worker, via phone or online. This step is not required, but many participants find it helpful in easing any uncertainty and building confidence ahead of their stay.

      Following this, our team will continue to work alongside you and your support network to ensure everything is aligned with your goals, needs, and NDIS plan.

      Personal Discovery is charged as: Access Community, Social And Recreational Activities – 04_104_0125_6_1 ($67.56 per hour) – the maximum is 4 hours. 

      Step 3: Confirming Your Stay

      Once you’re ready to proceed, our team will work alongside you and your support network to finalize the details of your stay. We’ll prepare a service agreement covering your support arrangements, accommodation, and any preferences confirmed during the discovery session. Prior to your arrival, you’ll receive a clear outline of everything so you arrive feeling comfortable and confident.

      Important Notice Regarding Care & Suitability:

      Deśa Retreat provides hosted Short Term Accommodation (STA) focused on relaxation, wellness, and respite. We are not a 24-hour medical, clinical, or psychiatric inpatient facility.

      If a prospective guest is currently experiencing acute mental health distress, active psychosis, or suicidal ideation, our retreat environment is not suitable. In these circumstances, specialized clinical care or acute mental health respite should be arranged prior to considering a stay at Deśa.

      Personalized Support & Care

      We understand that each person has their own preferences, routines, and support needs. Our approach is gentle, flexible, and guided by you. Whether you prefer more hands-on support or quiet space to yourself, our team is here to ensure you feel comfortable, respected, and well cared for throughout your stay.

      Deśa operates as a fully supported, all-in-one retreat. All personal care and daily living support is provided by our in-house team, you don’t need to arrange or bring your own support worker. From the moment you arrive, everything is taken care of so you can genuinely rest and experience something new.

      Support hours are claimed through your Plan Manager based on the actual support delivered during your stay, in line with the 2026-27 NDIS unbundled pricing arrangements.

      Meals

      Meals are not included in your STA funding. You’re welcome to self-cater using the villa kitchenette, or purchase meals locally from nearby cafés and providers. We’re happy to help with recommendations and can assist with meal preparation as part of your daily support if needed.

      Unplug & Reconnect

      Our villas don’t include televisions, we’ve made this choice intentionally, to encourage time to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and be present in the environment around you. You’re welcome to bring your own device if you’d like something familiar. High-speed internet is available throughout the property.

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
      What is included in a Short Term Accommodation stay at Deśa?

      Your STA stay at Deśa includes everything funded under the 2026-27 NDIS pricing arrangements:

      • Accommodation | your own private villa for the duration of your stay
      • Support worker accommodation | claimable whether or not your support worker stays on-site
      • Personal care and daily living support | delivered by our team throughout your stay, from check-in to check-out
      • Overnight sleepover support | included every night of your stay
      • Meals | available as a BYO arrangement or as an optional add-on (meals are not NDIS-funded and are arranged separately)

      What is not included in your STA claim:

      Activities and experiences at Deśa, workshops, nature outings, massage, sound healing and everything else we offer which are not billed to your NDIS plan. They are part of the environment and culture of Deśa, provided at no extra cost as part of a stay designed around you.

      Will I be sharing a room?

      You will have your own room and your own ensuite bathroom. Each villa contains a kitchenette, lounge/dining, bedroom and ensuite.

      Is there a TV in my room?

      In keeping with the spirit of rest and rejuvenation, our villas do not have televisions. We encourage guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and truly unwind. If you wish to watch a favourite show or movie, you’re welcome to bring your own laptop or tablet for streaming. High-speed internet is available throughout the retreat, offering balance between comfort and digital minimalism.

      Can I bring a support person with me?

      Deśa is designed as a fully supported, all-in-one respite experience, our team provides all personal care and daily living support throughout your stay, so you don’t need to bring a support worker with you.

      This is actually one of the things that makes a Deśa stay different. Rather than coordinating your own support worker to travel with you, you arrive and our team is already here, familiar with the property, the rhythms of a stay, and genuinely invested in making your time with us meaningful.

      Under the 2026-27 NDIS unbundled pricing, support hours are claimed based on the support actually delivered during your stay. When Deśa provides all support directly, this is handled cleanly and transparently through your Plan Manager, no coordination required on your end.

      If you currently work with a support worker you trust, we understand that relationship matters. Please reach out and we’ll have an honest conversation about what works best for you. In most cases, participants find that arriving on their own and settling into the Deśa environment is part of what makes the stay feel like a genuine break for both them and their carer.

      How can I book a stay at Deśa?

      Booking a retreat is simple.

      You simply complete the Enquiry Form and we will be in touch to book your Discovery Session.

       

      Is Deśa suitable for mental health respite?

      Yes, Deśa can be a supportive environment for participants with mental health (psychosocial) needs, where Short Term Accomodation (STA) is included in their NDIS plan and aligned with their support requirements.

      Short Term Respite is designed to provide a temporary break from usual care arrangements, while ensuring participants continue to receive appropriate support.

      For participants with mental health challenges, this may help by:

      • Providing a calm, low-pressure environment
      • Supporting emotional regulation and reduced stress
      • Offering consistent, gentle support away from usual routines
      • Allowing carers and family members time to rest and recharge
      What do you charge for a NDIS STA?

      From 1 July 2026, NDIS STA is priced using unbundled line items rather than a single daily rate. Your invoice will include separate items for participant accommodation, support worker accommodation, sleepover, and support hours — based on your actual stay dates and day mix.

      Indicative costs for weekday stays:

      • 2 nights: approx. $2,379
      • 3 nights: approx. $3,678
      • 5 nights: approx. $6,278

      Stays including Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays will be higher due to weekend and public holiday support rates. Contact us with your preferred dates for an accurate quote.

      All invoicing is sent to your Plan Manager on your checkout date.

      Do you provide transport to and from Deśa Retreat?

      Unfortunately we do not. You will need to arrange your own transport to and from Desa Retreat.

      I am a plan manager; how can I offer NDIS STR to my clients?

      We look forward to creating a Short Term Accommodation that would suit your client, please contact us.

      What is the Personal Discovery Session charged as?

      The optional Personal Discovery Session is charged under Community Participation, 04_104_0125_6_1 at the current 2026-27 rate. Maximum 4 hours. We’ll confirm the current rate at the time of booking.

      If you need more information, contact us to find out more about our NDIS Short Term Respite.

      Phone: 0400 820 279

      Email: info@desaretreat.com.au

      Make an Enquiry