For some people, Christmas is an exciting and happy time. For others, it can feel a little overwhelming, even lonely sometimes. Busy schedules, changes to routines, service closures, and the feeling that everything has to be done before the year ends can also bring added pressure.  

Everyone experiences this time of year differently, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.  Below, we’ve put together some tips we hope will help you feel more prepared and supported over the festive season. 

Check opening hours early
GPs, pharmacies and other essential services may have reduced or changed hours over Christmas. Checking ahead can help you organise prescriptions, medications and appointments before these facilities close. 

Touch base with your providers
Make sure you know whether supports are changing over the holiday period. My Plan Support will remain open throughout the holidays except on public holidays (Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December, and Thursday 1 January). Remember, your Portal is always available, 24/7. 

Share your plans with your support network 
Sometimes it helps to share your calendar with family members and support workers, so they know what’s happening and when. This can reduce uncertainty and stress for you all. 

Be kind to yourself 
We know this time of year can be busy and emotional, so be kind to yourself and stay connected with those who matter most.  

If things feel a little heavier than usual, you’re not alone. Support is always available, day or night. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to the services below. 

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 
• 13YARN or 13 92 76 (for culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) 
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 
• Men’s Line: 1300 789 987 

Plan ahead where you can 
It’s a good idea to confirm times, locations, transport and access needs in advance to make the day run more smoothly and avoid any stressful hiccups. 

Say thanks to your carer 
If you have a carer or someone special supporting you, letting them know they’re appreciated can be a nice thing for you both and your relationship moving into the new year. A simple thank goes a long way. 

Take pleasure in the little things 
Whether it’s watching a favourite Christmas movie or listening to carols, small traditions and simple joys can be great for lifting spirits. Even something as simple as lighting a candle can help you feel part of the festive season. 

Enjoy the joy of giving 
It doesn’t have to be big, expensive or even materialistic. A thoughtful gesture, a kind word, or something homemade can bring joy to others (and just as much joy to you). 

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you a peaceful, restful and happy festive season, whatever that means for you.  

If you’re looking into Short Term Respite (STR) to give you and your primary caregiver a much-needed break, this guide provides all the info you need to get started. Find out what STR is, who it’s for, how to get it included in your NDIS plan, and how to find the right provider. 

What is Short Term Respite? 

Short Term Respite (often still called Short Term Accommodation or STA) is a temporary support service for NDIS participants who need to stay somewhere away from home for a short period. It’s designed to give you and your caregiver a break, and is about maintaining your informal support, not replacing it. 

What STR is for: 

• A short break for you 
• A short break for your caregiver 
• Rest, recovery, and recharging 

What STR isn’t for: 

• Holidays or recreational travel 
• Capacity building programs 
• Skill-building activities 
• Funding meals, transport or outings unless they come bundled in a provider’s fixed daily rate 

What are the general STR Rules (in simple terms)? 

• You must stay at least one night 
• You can use up to 14 days at a time 
• You can use up to 28 days per year (sometimes more in exceptional cases) 
• STR is to sustain your informal care network. It’s not a replacement for them 
• Extra costs like meals and transport aren’t included unless they are built into the provider’s rate 

Am I eligible for Short Term Respite? 

You might be eligible for STR if: 

• You live with, or rely heavily on, informal carers (for more than six hours of support per day) 
• You have a disability that needs ongoing support 
• You have higher, complex, or behavioural support needs 
• You live somewhere isolated or have limited access to informal supports 
• Your carers are at risk of burnout or have other family responsibilities, such as young children or other people with disability to care for 

You’re unlikely to be eligible if you: 

• Live independently without drop-in supports 
• Already receive more than 18 hours a day of paid supports 
• Use SIL (Supported Independent Living) or ILO (Individualised Living Options) 

How is Short Term Respite funded? 

STR is funded under Core Supports: Assistance with Daily Living. Funding usually assumes a group rate (sharing support workers with others), unless you need one-to-one support due to your disability. 

Short Term Respite is designed to be flexible to meet your and your carer’s unique needs. So, you get to choose where you stay, when, and for how long. 

What STR funding covers: 

• Accommodation 
• Personal care 
• Support throughout your stay 

Most people receive up to 28 days per year, which you can use in the following ways: 

• A few weekends throughout the year 
• One longer stay up to 14 days 
• Small breaks here and there 

How do I get STR included in my NDIS plan? 

To have STR added to your plan, you firstly need to request it at your next planning or plan review meeting. 

It’s a good idea to prepare for your meeting to ensure the best chance of having your funding request approved: 

• Explain the support you need on a day-to-day basis 
• Talk about how much your informal supports help you achieve your goals 
• Describe how the support impacts your carer’s wellbeing 
• Be specific about how STR would relieve pressure or prevent burnout 

Bring supporting evidence, such as: 

• Occupational Therapist report 
• Psychologist report 
• A letter from your carer describing their role and why they need a break 
• Any documentation showing your support needs and the impact on your family 
• Anything that helps the NDIA understand your situation clearly to strengthen your case 

If you don’t have a meeting planned anytime soon, you can contact your My NDIS Contact and ask if you can use some Core Supports flexibly for STR. 

How do I find a Respite care provider? 

There are STR providers all over Australia ranging from small, home-like settings to larger hotel-style facilities. Each offers something slightly different. 

There are a few ways you can begin your research: 

• Use NDIS provider directories, disability support platforms and online communities 
• Ask friends, other participants, or local disability groups 
• Check provider websites for photos, service lists, and availability 

If you have a Support Coordinator, they can work with you to: 

• Gather evidence  
• Suggest suitable providers 
• Assist with bookings and budgeting 
• Questions to ask when comparing providers 

When you’re comparing Respite providers, it can be useful to ask a few practical questions to help you choose a provider that’s the right fit for you. 

• Are meals included? 
• What does the daily rate cover?  
• What qualifications and experience do staff have? 
• Can you bring your own equipment or supports? 
• Is transport provided? 
• How to prepare for your STR stay 

Before your stay, your Respite provider should reach out for your emergency contacts, so staff can contact them if necessary. 

It also helps to bring any written routines, communication preferences or tips that make your day run smoothly. These little details help your support team get to know you to provide tailored care for your individual needs. 

It’s also important you pack the essential items for your stay, including: 

• Any medications you take 
• Assistive technology or equipment you rely on 
• Personal care items  

What to expect during a Short Term Respite stay 

During your stay, you’ll have access to meals, planned activities and appropriate supervision, so you feel safe and supported throughout your stay. Each home or centre tends to have their own house rules and guest expectations to help everyone feel safe and respected. Your Respite support team should take you through everything, so you know exactly what to expect. 

Short Term Respite FAQs

How has funding for Covid-19 vaccinations changed?

From 24 November 2025, there are some important updates to how vaccinations are funded under the NDIS. During Covid-19, the Australian Government introduced several temporary supports, and these changes reflect the next step in their phased wind-down of those measures. 

What’s changing? 

• COVID-19 vaccinations for participants and support workers will no longer be funded through the temporary COVID-19 measures. 
• Deep cleaning in Supported Independent Living (SIL) settings and participants’ homes will no longer be available under temporary COVID-19 supports (if you’re eligible, these services may still be funded through Assistance with Daily Living or Assistance with Household Tasks). 
• Portable air purifiers will now follow the standard NDIA process for submitting a request for low-cost assistive technology (AT). 

How to get a COVID-19 vaccination 

After 24 November 2025, participants, support workers and carers can book a vaccination through the Health Direct Service Finder. This tool helps you locate a nearby clinic, pharmacy, GP or vaccination service and allows you to find providers catering for things like wheelchair access and low-sensory settings. 

If you live in disability residential accommodation or can’t leave your home easily, your provider or your local Primary Health Network (PHN) may be able to organise an at-home vaccination visit. 

Is transport to vaccination appointments still funded? 

If transport is a ‘reasonable and necessary’ support for you and you can’t safely use public transport because of your disability, NDIS funding may cover travel to and from your appointment. 

For more information, visit the NDIS page on transport funding. 

Do you have to get vaccinated? 

While the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for adults with disability or significant health needs, it isn’t mandatory. 

Choosing whether to be vaccinated is a personal health decision. If you’re unsure, it’s best to discuss your situation with your GP or health specialist. 

Getting ready for your vaccination 

By preparing ahead of time, you can avoid unnecessary hiccups and make your vaccination appointment run more smoothly. If you have medical questions or concerns, talk to your GP, specialist or disability provider, so you can plan any supports you might need. 

You can also have someone attend the appointment with you, such as a: 

• support worker 
• family member 
• carer 
• friend 

It’s also a good idea to bring items that might help you feel more comfortable during your vaccination appointment, such as communication aids, sensory supports, headphones, a favourite object, or relevant medical information. 

Afterwards, be sure to take some time to rest and ask your support person or provider to check in on how you’re feeling. 

Where to find more information 

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Australian Government’s official vaccine information page. 

The NDIS has announced new pricing changes for art and music therapies, effective 24 November 2025. We get how important these supports are for so many of you, so here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changing.

Price changes effective 2 November 2025

Most importantly, the hourly price limit for both art therapy and music therapy will be reduced from $193.99 per hour to $156.16 per hour.

Also, providers must claim each therapy under the correct NDIS line item:

• Art therapy: claim under the art therapy line item
• Music therapy: claim under the music therapy line item

Using the right line item will help avoid payment delays and invoice rejections by the NDIS, so avoid claiming under Other Professional or similar categories.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is so much more than just making art. It’s a safe, supportive and creative outlet for people to express emotions, process experiences and build confidence. You don’t need to be a talented artist to do art therapy. It’s more about exploring your feelings and experiences using activities like drawing, painting, sculpting and collage.

Sometimes providers use additional techniques as part of their art therapy, such as guided reflection, relaxation, sensory activities and confidence-building exercises. These approaches can be especially helpful for challenges like:

• Anxiety, stress or trauma
• Emotional regulation challenges
• Communication difficulties
• Low self-esteem
• Social or behavioural challenges

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy uses music to support emotional, cognitive and physical wellbeing. It’s delivered by a qualified Music Therapist who tailors each session to an individual’s goals and preferences using activities like:

• Singing
• Playing instruments
• Songwriting or composing
• Listening to music
• Rhythm and beat activities
• Movement or dance for coordination and mobility

Music therapy can help with many things, including communication, mood, focus, memory, identity and self-confidence. For some people, rhythmic movement can also help with strength, balance and coordination.

Who can provide art and music therapy under the NDIS?

Both art therapy and music therapy should be delivered by qualified professionals with the appropriate training and credentials. When you are researching providers, you may want to ask:

• Are they registered with the relevant professional body, such as The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) or the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA)?
• Do they have experience working with NDIS participants?
• Are they able to link therapy outcomes to your NDIS goals?

The NDIS doesn’t always require you to use NDIS-registered providers (especially if your plan is plan managed not NDIA-managed), but qualifications do matter.

One of the great things about plan management is that it gives you access to small, local providers who may not be NDIS registered but offer a quality, intimate service that may be a great fit for you.

How can art and music therapy be funded under the NDIS?

In most NDIS plans, art therapy and music therapy are funded from the Capacity Building budget under Improved Daily Living.

If you’re unsure whether you can use your funding for these supports, talk to your plan manager, support coordinator or My NDIS Contact. They’ll be able to help you check your plan categories and inclusions to see if therapy supports are covered in your funding.

If they aren’t included, you may be able to request a review or adjust your goals to have them included at your next planning meeting.

One-on-one plan management with My Plan Support?

Are you interested in having help to better understand and manage your NDIS plan? With My Plan Support, you get your very own NDIS plan manager who can do just that. They’ll work with you one-on-one to help you understand your plan, what it covers and how to get the most out of your funding.

If you’ve ever looked at your NDIS plan and thought, “What do all these support categories mean?”, this cheat sheet is for you.  

Every NDIS support category fits into one of three main budget categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. Together, these budgets aim to provide the right mix of support to help you live your best life. 

Here’s a simple breakdown for each budget category and the types of NDIS supports it covers. 

Core Supports

Purpose:  

Everyday activities to help day-to-day life easier, like personal care and household tasks. Core supports are the only category where you have flexibility to move funding between sub-categories. 

What’s covered: 

• Assistance with Daily Life: help with personal tasks like showering, dressing, cleaning, cooking. 
• Transport: funding to get you where you need to go, like appointments or work. 
• Consumables: everyday items such as continence products or low-cost assistive equipment. 
• Assistance with Social & Community Participation: support to get involved in your community, join groups, or try new activities. 
• Respite care: short breaks for up to 14 days, so you, your family or primary carer can recharge. 

Think of Core Supports as the “essentials” that keep your daily life running smoothly. 

Capacity Building Supports

Purpose:  

To build your skills, confidence, and independence over time. Capacity Building Supports are not flexible, so you can’t move budget from one category to another; you need to spend it on the agreed services.   

What’s covered: 

Support Coordination: a registered support coordinator to help you find the best supports and manage them efficiently. 

• Improved Living Arrangements: support finding a home, applying for rental properties, and meeting tenancy obligations.  
• Increased Social & Community Participation: programs to build your independence and connection, like joining a sports club or taking a class. 
• Finding & Keeping a Job: help with job searching, skills training, vocational activities, and on-the-job support.  
• Improved Relationships: behaviour support and strategies to strengthen your social skills and relationships. 
• Improved Health & Wellbeing: supports that help you build better physical and mental health, such as exercise physiology, dietetics, nutrition planning, or personal training. 
• Improved Learning: training and support to help you reach your study or work goals, like going to TAFE or uni, applying for courses, or planning your studies. 
• Improved Life Choices: funds plan management to handle your plan’s admin and finances, making it easier to manage budgets and payments while you stay focused on your goals. 
• Improved Daily Living: helps you build independence through therapies and training that support everyday life, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, and physiotherapy. 

Capacity Building supports are all about growth, building the skills you need for more independence and choice. 

Capital Supports

Purpose:  

To fund larger, one-off purchases or investments that help with mobility, safety, or independence. Capital supports are typically approved as exact items or modifications and the funding is earmarked for that purpose only. 

What’s covered: 

• Assistive Technology (AT): equipment and devices that make everyday tasks easier, from small items like a modified spoon to advanced tools like a powered wheelchair or communication aid. 
• Home Modifications: changes to your home to make it safer or more accessible (like ramps, rails, or bathroom adjustments). 

Think of Capital Supports as big ticket, one-off items that require quotes and evidence by a health practitioner like an occupational therapist (OT). 

Understand your NDIS plan and what it covers with My Plan Support 

With My Plan Support, you get your very own NDIS plan administrator who will guide you through your plan, explain your support options, and empower you to use your funding with confidence.  

Plan Management is added to your funding under Improved Lifer Choices in your NDIS plan at no extra cost to you, so why not join My Plan Support today? 

What could one-on-one NDIS plan management mean for you?

Navigating the NDIS can feel like a big job. There are budgets to track, invoices to process, and records to keep. This is where plan management can be so helpful; someone there to support you, lift the burden of the admin, and help you get the most from your funding.

But with some plan management providers, you can feel more like a number and less like a person, dealing with a different team member every time you reach out for support.

By having your own personal plan manager offered by a few select providers like My Plan Support, you get a more familiar and intimate experience. A trusted person in your corner who gets to know you.

Here are some of the benefits of having your own personal NDIS plan manager:

They understand your goals and situation

Every NDIS plan is different because they cater for the unique needs and goals of each participant. When you have a plan manager especially dedicated to you, they get to know your situation, including:

• What’s important to you
• The challenges you face
• What you’re working to achieve
• The supports that make a difference in your day-to-day life

With this understanding, they can support you to make confident decisions, whether that’s explaining something that’s causing you confusion, helping you get the most out of available tools and services, supporting you to track how your funds are being used, or updating you on NDIS changes that may affect your plan.

No more re-explaining your situation

You’ve probably experienced the frustration of calling a service and having to repeat the same information over and over. When you have one-on-one plan management, your plan manager already knows your story. You can pick up right where you left off each time you reach out. This makes every interaction easier and quicker. It also helps build trust. The more your plan manager knows and understands you, the better they can help advocate for what you need.

Peace of mind

Your NDIS journey doesn’t have to be daunting and stressful. With one-on-one plan management, you have a familiar person to turn to for:

• Understanding your plan and the supports it covers
• Invoice or reimbursement queries
• Keeping track of what you have left to spend in each budget
• Approving invoices
• Helping your providers with billing queries

Instead of worrying about the financial management side of your plan, you have a person in your corner who has everything in check.

Plan management tailored to you

Whether you prefer email, a chat over the phone, or hopping on live chat, having your very own plan manager means they can adapt to the way you like to communicate and stay informed. They can also help you build connections with trusted providers and ensure you’re making the most of every part of your plan.

Because they know you well, they can spot issues early, provide options before spending becomes tight, and help you plan ahead to get the most out of your funding.

You don’t have to do it alone

A personal plan manager is right beside you, helping you feel supported, informed and empowered throughout your NDIS journey.

With someone who knows your goals, understands your situation and offers familiar, consistent support, things feel clearer and less overwhelming.

If you haven’t experienced personal plan management before, now might be the perfect time to give it a try. Call My Plan Support today on 02 9161 3900.

Claiming your NDIS reimbursements

From time to time, you may have to pay for NDIS expenses out of your own pocket. When this happens, you’ll want to get your money back as quickly as possible.

We’ve laid everything out in this article, to make your reimbursement simple and smooth.

What are NDIS reimbursements?

A reimbursement is simply the NDIS paying you back for a support you’ve already covered with your own money. You pay upfront, then request for the cost to be returned from your plan budget, so you’re not out of pocket in the long run.

What can you be reimbursed for?

You can usually be reimbursed for most NDIS-funded supports, as long as:

• You have enough funding in the correct budget category
• The support is reasonable and necessary for your needs
• The claim includes the right information and documents

Here are some common situations where you might ask for a reimbursement:

• Urgent purchases, such as buying continence products or other essentials when you can’t wait for an invoice.
• When using smaller, unregistered providers who may not use invoices or NDIS billing systems.
• For transport claims (when travel is included in your plan because you cannot safely use public transport). This may include travel to appointments, work or community activities.

When is it better to request an invoice?

Whenever possible, it’s best to ask your provider to send their invoice directly to us (the plan manager) rather than paying up front and requesting a reimbursement. This way:

• You avoid being out of pocket while waiting to be reimbursed
• We can claim the funding more quickly and accurately for you
• It gives you and your provider peace of mind that everything meets the NDIS requirements

Some supports are also easier to claim when the provider sends the invoice directly to us because the rules around them are a little more complex. This includes:

• Therapy services (like physio and occupational therapy)
• Ongoing supports or in-home care
• Short Term Respite (STR)
• Larger purchases such as assistive technology (AT)

How to submit a reimbursement request

When you have plan management with My Plan Support, you get your very own Participant Portal. Here, you can submit your reimbursements in just a few clicks and track the status of payment.

If you prefer email, you can send us a valid tax invoice and proof of payment to accounts@myplansupport.com.au.

What we need to process a reimbursement

As your plan manager, we want to make sure you’re paid back as quickly as possible. To do that, we need a few important pieces of information, so your claim meets NDIS requirements.

Here’s what to include:

A valid tax invoice showing: 

• The provider’s ABN (unless they have an ABN exemption)
• What service or support was provided
• The date, description and cost
• The provider’s name and contact details

Proof of payment, such as: 

• A receipt or EFTPOS slip
• A bank statement screenshot showing the transaction
• If you paid cash, a cash receipt from the provider

Extra documents (when needed):

Some supports, like therapies or high-cost assistive technology, may need additional information such as a letter from an allied health professional or NDIA approval. If that’s the case, we’ll let you know exactly what’s required.

When will you receive your reimbursement?

The NDIA now takes a closer look at reimbursement claims, which can sometimes slow things down. We do our best to process your claim within 7 business days, as long as all the right documents are included.

Why choose My Plan Support as your NDIS plan manager?

With My Plan Support, you get your very own dedicated plan manager who knows your situation and goals. They’ll make sure you get speedy reimbursements, that your providers are paid on time so your supports aren’t impacted by payment delays, as well as being a trusted partner you can turn to for answers and NDIS support.

Learn more about My Plan Support now.

Your NDIS Invoice Checklist

If you’re a service provider in the NDIS space, you may be familiar with having invoices rejected from time to time. Not surprising, the NDIA has very specific invoicing requirements, and even small errors or missing details can lead to your invoice getting rejected.

The good news is, if you include all the below details, you’ll increase your chances of getting approved first time round for faster payment.

4 things to include on every NDIS invoice

Business details:

• Your business name
• ABN (make sure this is the same number listed on ABN Lookup)
• and bank details

Invoice details:

A unique invoice number. Repeat invoice numbers will automatically get rejected by the NDIA’s system. Also note, you can’t use the same invoice number for different customers (for example, ‘Invoice 1’ for Customer A and ‘Invoice 1’ for Customer B).

Customer details:

• The customer’s full name (must be the name listed on the NDIS plan, not the plan nominee or plan manager’s name – even for participants under 18yrs)
• Participant NDIS number for easy identification

Service details:

• A brief description of the service delivered (and, if you know it, the NDIS line item)
• The date the invoice was issued
• The date or spread of dates you delivered the service (keep in mind, the NDIS automatically rejects service start dates that are older than 2 years)
• The amount of support hours delivered and at what hourly rate
• The total amount you’re invoicing (GST if applicable, must be inclusive of the hourly rate)

Handy invoice checklist

To make things a little easier for you, we’ve created this handy invoice checklist, so you don’t forget to include all the necessary details.

My Plan Support Provider Portal

At My Plan Support, we know that getting paid on time matters. That’s why our Provider Portal is built to make invoicing simple and fast. Submit invoices in just a few clicks and track their progress from submission to payment.

When your customers have plan management with My Plan Support, you enjoy having all your invoices in one system for complete transparency. Learn more about how My Plan Support can make things easier for your business now.

1. How can we tell if a participant is in PACE?
There are a few indicators that someone is likely to be in the PACE system. If they have an NDIS number starting with a 5 or are based in Tasmania they will be in PACE. If their plan start date is on or after February 2024 it is highly likely they are in PACE, but this should be double checked.

2. Are service bookings needed for PACE participants?
No, service bookings are not necessary for PACE participants. The endorsement process has replaced this,  each provider a participant chooses will be endorsed in PACE. Plan managers should be endorsed as both “provider” and “plan manager”.

3. Do we need to wait for funds to be released in order to onboard a new PACE participant?
No, PACE clients need to endorse their preferred plan manager with the NDIA. This can be done via their LAC or by calling the National Contact Centre directly. We do not need to use the CRM (My Place Provider Portal) system via PRODA to book funds.

4. Should providers still continue to use Service Agreements?
Yes, it is recommended that service agreements are still completed as this is best practice for all NDIS supports. These can still assist with ensuring there is adequate funding available for a provider’s support and outlining the rights and responsibilities of participants and providers.