MTA is generally for NDIS participants who need temporary accommodation until their long-term housing plan is in place.
This is usually the case for people who have a long-term home to move into but cannot move in yet because their disability-related supports are not in place. It can also apply to someone leaving hospital who needs a more suitable place to stay until their permanent home is ready. In either situation, there can be a gap between where you are now and where you are expected to live long term.
This time lapse can leave you stuck in the wrong setting. This is why the NDIS considers whether you need MTA, whether you have a long-term home to move into, and whether you can reasonably remain where you are while you wait.
If you’re searching for Medium Term Accommodation, the sections below explain who may be eligible, how long you can stay, and what happens when the period ends.
Who Is Eligible for MTA?
Being an NDIS participant does not automatically make you eligible for MTA. Instead, the NDIS looks at whether you meet the following conditions:
- You have a long-term home to move into.
- You cannot move into it yet because your disability-related supports are not ready.
- You cannot remain in your current accommodation while you wait.
You Have a Long-Term Home to Move Into
As per the NDIS, you need to have a long-term home or living arrangement that you are expected to move into. This could be:
- Your own home after disability-related modifications are completed
- A private rental property
- Social or community housing
- An SDA property
- A home where you will receive Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- A home where you will receive Individualised Living Options (ILO)
The NDIS may need evidence that the accommodation is confirmed. Depending on your circumstances, this could include a tenancy offer, information from your NDIS accommodation provider, evidence that home modifications are underway, or other documents showing where you will live.
You Cannot Move Into Your Home Yet
Having a future home is not enough. There must be a reasonable explanation for why you can’t move into it yet. And the reason must be connected to your disability-related support needs.
For example, you might be waiting for:
- Home modifications to be completed
- Assistive technology to be delivered or installed
- Disability-related supports to be arranged
- An appropriate SIL or ILO arrangement to become available
- A suitable SDA vacancy
The NDIS may also need information about when the home is expected to be ready.
You Cannot Remain in Your Current Accommodation
The NDIS considers why you may not be able to remain in your current accommodation.
It could be because:
- Your home is being modified to meet your disability needs
- Your current accommodation is no longer suitable for you
- Your disability-related supports have broken down
- You need to leave your current accommodation while another arrangement is being organised
If your current home is safe and suitable and you can reasonably stay there until your long-term accommodation is ready, MTA may not be appropriate.
Think about the standard MTA criteria as a chain:
Where are you going? → Why can’t you move there yet? → Why can’t you stay where you are?
Who Is Eligible for MTA if They Are Leaving Hospital or Justice Settings?
If you’re discharged from a Hospital
The rules can be different for someone leaving hospital. Under this pathway, a participant may be eligible for MTA even if they do not yet have a confirmed long-term home to move into, such as SDA, SIL, ILO or home modifications.
In this case, MTA may be added to their plan while those arrangements are being organised.
If You Are Leaving a Justice Setting
If you are eligible for SDA and are leaving a justice setting, you may be able to access MTA while waiting for an SDA vacancy. You do not need to provide evidence of a confirmed SDA tenancy agreement under this criterion.
Your Support Coordinator can work with the relevant NDIS justice liaison officer to help organise appropriate home and living supports as you transition out of the justice system.
What Evidence Do You Need for MTA?
There is no single document that proves your MTA eligibility.
The evidence the NDIS requires will depend on your circumstances and the reason for your need for MTA accommodation.
You may need information showing:
- Where your long-term home will be
- When you are expected to move in
- Why you cannot move into it yet
- Why you cannot remain in your current accommodation
- What disability-related supports you need
- How your current accommodation affects your disability-related needs
Depending on your situation, this could include accommodation documents, information about home modifications, allied health reports, assessments or reports about your daily support needs.
How Long Can You Stay in MTA?
MTA is generally funded for up to 90 days. This does not mean every participant automatically receives 90 days. The NDIS considers how many days meet its funding criteria based on the person’s circumstances.
MTA is also generally a one-off support. It is intended to cover the temporary period before you can move into your longer-term home or living arrangement. It is not designed to become ongoing accommodation.
Can MTA Be Extended Beyond 90 Days?
In some circumstances, yes.
The NDIS may consider funding MTA for more than 90 days if there is evidence that you need the additional time because of your disability support needs.
For example, you may need to remain in MTA for longer because:
- Disability-related home modifications are taking longer than expected
- A confirmed SDA property will not have a vacancy within the initial period
- Another disability-related delay is preventing you from moving into your long-term home
The NDIS guideline gives examples of situations where home modifications may take 100 days or a confirmed SDA tenancy may not be available for 120 days. An extension is not automatic. You need evidence explaining why the additional time is necessary.
If you know your home will not be ready before your approved MTA period ends, raise the issue as early as possible with your Support Coordinator or relevant NDIS contact.
What Happens When Your MTA Stay Ends?
MTA is meant to help you get from your current situation to your longer-term home. Before your approved period ends, it is worth checking:
- Is your long-term home ready?
- Are your disability-related supports in place?
- Have your home modifications been completed?
- Has an SDA vacancy or other NDIS housing options arrangement been delayed?
- Do you need to provide updated information?
- Do you need to discuss the delay with your Support Coordinator or NDIS contact?
If your circumstances have changed, raise the issue before your approved MTA period ends.
Finding MTA in Adelaide
If you are looking for MTA in Adelaide, the accommodation should be suitable for your accessibility, safety and disability-related support needs.
Before choosing a provider, consider:
- Whether the accommodation is accessible
- Whether the location works for your daily needs
- What is included in the accommodation
- Whether the property is suitable for your disability-related requirements
- How long the accommodation is available
- What happens if your move-in date changes
EasAbility provides Medium Term Accommodation in Adelaide for eligible NDIS participants who need temporary accommodation while their longer-term housing arrangements are being finalised.
Common Misunderstandings About MTA
- Being an NDIS participant automatically means you can get MTA: It doesn’t. MTA is available only in specific circumstances, and the NDIS considers whether the support meets the relevant funding criteria.
- SDA funding automatically gives you MTA: It doesn’t. Waiting for an SDA vacancy can be one reason MTA may be appropriate, but you still need to meet the relevant requirements.
- Everyone gets 90 days of MTA: Not necessarily. Ninety days is the general funding period. The NDIS considers the number of days that meet its funding criteria for your circumstances.
- MTA is emergency accommodation: It isn’t. MTA is intended for specific disability-related situations and is different from emergency housing.
- MTA covers everyday living expenses: It doesn’t. Food, electricity, internet and other ordinary living expenses are not included in MTA funding.
- MTA is permanent housing: It isn’t. MTA is temporary accommodation intended to bridge the gap until your longer-term home or living arrangement is ready.
FAQs
What happens if my MTA stay ends before my long-term home is ready?
You should discuss your situation with your support coordinator, provider or the NDIS before your approved MTA period ends. The next step will depend on your circumstances and what longer-term accommodation or support arrangements are available.
Can I choose where I stay for MTA?
The accommodation needs to be suitable for your disability-related needs and meet the relevant NDIS requirements. When considering an MTA option, it is also important to check factors such as accessibility, location, what is included and how long the accommodation will be available.
What happens if my permanent home is ready earlier than expected?
If you can move into your long-term home earlier than expected, your MTA stay may no longer be needed. You should discuss the change with your provider and relevant NDIS supports so your accommodation arrangements can be updated.
What evidence do I need to support an MTA request?
The evidence will depend on your circumstances. You may need information showing where your long-term home will be, why you cannot move into it yet, why your current accommodation is not suitable, and what disability-related supports or arrangements are still being organised.
Conclusion
MTA can give you time to stay somewhere suitable while the final pieces of your longer-term living arrangement are put in place. But it is not intended to become a long-term housing solution.
If you are using MTA, it is important to keep the next step in view. Knowing when your stay is due to end, what still needs to be arranged, and who is responsible for making those arrangements can help make the move into your longer-term home smoother
EasAbility Care – General Information Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, medical, or NDIS advice. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the content, EasAbility Care makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information provided.
Please note:
- EasAbility Care provides a range of disability support services designed to assist NDIS participants in achieving their goals, increasing independence, well-being, and community participation.
- EasAbility Care offers various NDIS-related supports, and the availability of specific services may vary depending on individual circumstances, funding, and location.
- Eligibility for NDIS funding and related support is determined solely by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) based on a participant’s individual needs, goals, and assessments.
- Access to services, funding approvals, and support arrangements may vary depending on a participant’s NDIS plan and personal circumstances.
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