NDIS Medium Term Accommodation
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is one of several home and living supports that may be included in an NDIS plan. The NDIS describes home and living supports as a set of options that can include Supported Independent Living (SIL), Individualised Living Options (ILO), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), home modifications, and personal care supports. These are funded depending on a participant’s circumstances and goals. MTA is only one option within the broader range.
It is generally encouraged that participants and families treat MTA as a short-term bridge, not a long-term housing solution. MTA is not a stand alone support and is only funded as part of your wider home and living needs, where the NDIS funding criteria is met.
Background
Home and living supports are intended to help eligible participants live as independently as possible, with supports matched to current needs and longer-term goals. They don’t pay for rent or bills associated with your living arrangements but may fund certain supports related to disability needs to help a person live independently.
If you have a home and living goal in your plan, the NDIA may consider home and living supports, but each support still needs to meet the NDIS funding criteria. This includes making sure it’s an NDIS support, is disability-related, and meets the reasonable and necessary requirements. You can read more on our blog article about Reasonable and Necessary Supports.
What is Medium Term Accommodation?
Medium Term Accommodation is funding for somewhere to live when you can’t move into your long-term home because your disability supports aren’t ready yet. This could occur, for example, while waiting for disability-related home modifications to be completed or for disability-related equipment to be installed.
Key Characteristics
1. It’s temporary and usually funded for up to 90 days
The NDIS generally funds MTA for up to 90 days, with extensions considered only in limited situations where evidence supports the need for a longer period.
2. It covers accommodation costs only, not everyday living costs
MTA funding covers the cost of the accommodation for the period you stay there. It doesn’t cover day-to-day living costs such as food, electricity, or internet.
3. It doesn’t include personal care or other disability supports
If you need personal care, assistance with daily living, or other supports while in MTA, those supports are funded separately (or accessed through existing plan budgets, where appropriate).
4. It isn’t respite or emergency housing
MTA is not described as short-term respite, and it’s not intended to operate as emergency housing for homelessness. Other mainstream and community systems are responsible for emergency housing supports. You can read more on our blog article about Mainstream and Community Supports.
Eligibility
There are three core eligibility criteria for MTA as outlined by the NDIA. To be eligible, you generally must meet all three:
You have a long-term home you will move into after MTA
You can’t move into that long-term home yet because disability supports aren’t ready
You can’t stay in your current accommodation while you wait
The NDIA describes a long-term home as a home the person expects to live in into the future and where it’s been confirmed they can live there. Examples can include:
Moving back into an owned or rented home once home modifications are completed
Moving into a confirmed rental or social/community housing offer once disability supports are ready
Moving into a home where SIL or ILO arrangements will commence
Evidence is usually required to show the long-term home is confirmed and to indicate when you can move in (typically within the 90-day timeframe unless an extension is being requested). Examples of evidence include:
Tenancy agreement offer
Proof of mortgage
Letters from providers
Documentation showing home modifications are in progress
When MTA Rules Differ
The NDIA outlines that different eligibility arrangements may apply when someone is being discharged from hospital or leaving a justice setting.
Hospital Discharge
MTA may be used to help someone leave hospital sooner while longer-term housing arrangements are finalised. In this pathway, a confirmed long-term home may not always be required in the same way, particularly where you are eligible for SDA, SIL, ILO, or home modifications and are being discharged from hospital.
Justice Setting Transitions
If you are in a justice setting and approaching release (or eligible parole), the NDIA may work with justice liaison arrangements and your support coordinator to ensure appropriate home and living supports are in place. If you’re eligible for SDA, you may be able to access MTA during transition without needing the usual evidence of a confirmed long-term home (such as a tenancy agreement) prior to accessing MTA.
What MTA Funding Covers
MTA funding covers the accommodation rental cost for the approved period of time. It does not cover:
Everyday living expenses (food, utilities, internet)
Personal care or daily supports (funded separately, if required)
Long-term rent or mortgage once you are in your long-term home
If you need emergency housing, crisis accommodation, or homelessness services, those supports are generally provided through mainstream and community supports rather than through the NDIS.
National and state-based pathways include Homelessness Australia’s service contacts and Services Australia’s homelessness support information (which links to state and territory referral pathways).
Calculating the Funded Amount
The NDIA funds MTA for the number of days that meet the NDIS funding criteria, typically up to 90 days. The maximum daily amount that can be claimed is set in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits for 2025-26 document includes an MTA line item and explains that the accommodation component is claimed under MTA, while the support component of care is claimed separately (where relevant).
If the accommodation costs less than the maximum daily amount, only the actual cost paid can be claimed. If it costs more than the maximum daily limit, only the maximum can be claimed, and you would need to pay the difference yourself.
Funding Beyond 90 Days
MTA may be funded beyond the standard 90 days in very limited circumstances. You need evidence that shows the disability-related reason for delay will exceed 90 days. Examples include confirmed delays in home modifications or confirmed timelines for vacancy in an SDA property. Evidence, such as builder timeframes or provider confirmation, is required before a longer period can be approved.
Getting MTA Included in Your Plan
Because MTA isn’t a stand alone support, the NDIA includes it as part of broader home and living support needs. The NDIA indicates it will consider assessments and reports that describe support needs and accommodation requirements. For example, allied health reports or daily support needs information. Where additional assessments are required to make a decision, the NDIA may fund those assessments if they meet the criteria.
Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) is designed for a specific situation. This is when you have a long-term home to move into (or is in a recognised transition pathway such as hospital discharge or justice exit) but can’t move yet because disability supports aren’t ready. MTA funding is time-limited, traditionally 90 days, and covers accommodation costs only. This means it needs to be considered alongside other home and living supports and mainstream housing pathways.
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