Medium-Term Accommodation, or MTA, is temporary accommodation funded in specific situations. It may be relevant while you wait for longer-term home and living arrangements, essential home changes or an eligible transition from hospital or the justice system. It is not permanent housing.
When MTA may be relevant
MTA may be considered when you have a home but cannot live there yet, when an approved long-term option is not ready, or when you are leaving hospital and meet the current home and living requirements. For example, you may be waiting for home modifications, a suitable SDA vacancy or another eligible living arrangement.
A time-limited pathway
There should be a practical reason for the temporary stay and a plan for what happens next. Current NDIS rules recognise that a confirmed address may not always be available when an eligible participant leaves hospital.
Accommodation and support are different
MTA funding generally covers the temporary accommodation. Personal care and other daily supports need to be funded and arranged separately.
How we support a planned transition
We work with the participant, authorised representatives, hospital or discharge teams, support coordinators and other providers where consent is in place. Before accepting an arrangement, we confirm:
- the approved funding and proposed length of stay
- the expected longer-term housing pathway and transition timeframe
- daily, overnight, health, accessibility and safety needs
- who will provide and fund personal support
- transport, equipment, medication and clinical arrangements
- responsibilities for keeping the move-on plan on track.
Common questions
Is MTA the same as short-term respite?
No. MTA is temporary accommodation while longer-term home arrangements are being prepared. Short-term respite is a different support that gives a participant and their usual informal supports time apart.
Do I need a confirmed long-term address?
Not in every situation. Current NDIS guidance says a person leaving hospital may be able to use MTA without a confirmed address if they meet the relevant home and living requirements. The NDIA assesses each situation.
General information only. Check the current NDIS information about Medium-Term Accommodation and your approved plan.