Claim your free list
Claim your free list

NDIS Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) Support Explained – Everything You Need to Know

MTA is a support that sits within the Home and Living category of your NDIS plan. It acts as a bridge for participants who are waiting for their confirmed long-term home to be ready.

Unlike Short Term Accommodation (STA), which is for respite, MTA is a transitional housing solution. It covers the cost of your accommodation while you wait for home modifications to be finished or for a vacancy to open up in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

This page explains what MTA is intended to help with, what it looks like in everyday life and how this Home and Living support works. It will help you understand whether this support fits your situation and what to do next.

I'M READY TO FIND AN NDIS PROVIDER

What is Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) Under the NDIS?

MTA is a specific support found under the Home and Living category in your Core Supports budget. It is intended to help participants who need somewhere to live while they wait for their permanent home.

In practical terms, this funds the accommodation costs (the roof over your head) for a temporary stay, typically up to 90 days. It bridges the gap between your old living arrangement and your new one.

Common examples of when MTA is used include:

  • Bridging the gap between leaving hospital and moving into a new home.
  • Waiting for home modifications to be completed in your permanent house.
  • Waiting for a vacancy in a confirmed Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) property.

MTA supports are strictly for the accommodation cost itself. It does not cover the personal care support you might need while staying there (this is funded separately) or your daily living expenses.

In your NDIS plan and the myplace portal, this appears under the Core Supports budget as the support category Assistance with Daily Life (Category 01). In newer PACE plans, it sits under the Core support category Home and Living.

I’m Ready To Find An NDIS Provider

Who Benefits from Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA)?

MTA is for people who have a confirmed long-term housing solution but cannot move into it yet. It suits those who can no longer stay in their current situation (e.g., in a hospital or an unsuitable home) and need a safe interim option.

This support may be a good fit if you:

  • Are ready to leave hospital or rehab but your home isn’t ready for you yet.
  • Have accepted an offer for an SDA apartment but the build is still finishing.
  • Need to move out of your house while major disability-related modifications are being done.
  • Have a confirmed offer of social or public housing that isn’t vacant yet.
  • Are leaving the justice system and have a long-term home identified but not immediately available.

MTA is generally not for emergency housing crises where there is no long-term plan. The NDIS requires evidence that you have a permanent place to go to at the end of the MTA period.

What Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) Can Help With Day-to-Day

MTA provides the physical space you need to live safely while you transition. The focus is on ensuring you aren’t forced to stay in inappropriate settings (like a hospital or aged care) simply because your house isn’t ready.

Depending on your arrangement, MTA can help with:

  • Hospital Discharge: Allowing you to leave the hospital environment sooner, which is often better for mental health and independence.
  • Safe Transition: Giving you a stable address where your support workers can come and assist you, rather than staying in an unsafe environment.
  • Continuity of Care: Providing a base where you can start building routines that will transfer to your new permanent home.
  • Avoiding Aged Care: Preventing younger people with disabilities from being admitted to aged care facilities due to a lack of housing options.

MTA support is typically a roof-only payment. This means while it secures the building, you will still use your other NDIS budgets to pay for the support workers who help you shower, cook or access the community while you are there

I’m Ready To Find An NDIS Provider

How Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) is Funded Through the NDIS

MTA is funded as a Home and Living support within your Core Supports budget. Unlike general flexible Core Supports, MTA is often a stated support, meaning the funds are ring-fenced specifically for this purpose and cannot be used for other things.

Key Funding Rules:

  1. Time Limit: The standard limit is 90 days. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances where there is clear evidence that the long-term home is still confirmed but delayed.
  2. Accommodation Only: The funding covers the room only component. It does not pay for your groceries, utilities or support staff.
  3. Confirmed Destination: To get MTA funding, you must prove you have a long-term home to move into (e.g., a tenancy agreement or a build contract).

What MTA funding covers:

  • The cost of renting the temporary accommodation.
  • Electricity and gas only if they are included in the accommodation fee (usually indistinguishable in a bundled fee, but technically personal utilities are participant responsibility).

What it does NOT cover:

  • Food and groceries.
  • Personal care supports (workers).
  • Assistive technology or equipment.
  • Standard rental bond payments.

If you need support workers while in MTA, you continue to claim them from your Assistance with Daily Life Support as usual.

How Care Decisions Helps You Find the Right MTA Support Providers

Care Decisions is not a directory. We are a free, independent service that helps people find disability support providers matched to their needs, NDIS plan and location.

We take the time to understand your housing timeline and what kind of temporary environment suits you best. We then prepare a personalised shortlist of providers with available Medium-Term Accommodation vacancies that match your support needs.

There is no cost to you and no pressure to choose a particular provider. You remain in control of the decision at every step.

I’m Ready To Find An NDIS Provider

How It Works

Finding the right NDIS provider shouldn’t be overwhelming. We make it easier by connecting you with dependable, available support services that meet your needs. Our FREE service takes the hassle out of the search. Here’s how it works.
Step 1

Let’s Get Started

Share your support needs, goals, location, and preferences with your dedicated NDIS matching specialist. We’ll help you find the right providers to suit your unique situation.
Step 2

Get a Tailored Provider Options Report

Our team of trained local NDIS support specialists create a personalised report, showing only NDIS providers who are available and matched to your specific requirements, location, and the type of support you’re looking for.
Step 3

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan

Once we have sent a list of options, providers will then be in touch. We’ll also help you understand how the NDIS works, how to get the most value from your allocated budget, and how to maximise the care and support available to you. We can also assist you in comparing provider pricing and service options.

Common Questions About Medium-Term Accommodation Support

What is the difference between MTA and STA (Short Term Accommodation)?

STA (often called respite) covers everything: accommodation, food and 24/7 support care, usually for up to 14 days at a time. MTA covers only the accommodation (no food or care included) and is for longer transitional stays of up to 90 days.

No. MTA only pays for the cost of the room/house. You must pay for your own food and groceries. Your support workers are paid separately from your standard Core supports (Assistance with Daily Life) budget.

Can I use MTA if I don’t have a long-term home to go to?

In some cases, the NDIS may extend MTA funding if you can prove the delay is unavoidable and your long-term home is still confirmed. You will need to provide updated evidence (e.g., a letter from the builder or housing provider) to get an extension.​

MTA is funded for the participant’s needs. While some providers may allow family to stay, the funding only covers the participant’s portion of the accommodation. You would need to check with the specific provider about their guest policy.