NDIS Respite & Experiences in Melbourne
Day trips and overnight stays built around the things you're genuinely into. Pop culture experiences, creative events, outdoor adventures. Independence, connection, and memories.
Experience-Based Respite
Respite Unlocked runs day trips, overnight adventures, and group experiences built around your interests. Expos, conventions, beach days, nature walks, creative workshops, gaming meetups, and more.
Every experience has a real activity at its centre. We handle the logistics, you have the fun. Support workers who share your interests come along for the ride.
No NDIS plan? All experiences are available fee-for-service. Same team, same activities.
Who Is This For?
- People who want experiences built around their interests
- Those seeking independence and real connections
- People ready to create memories, not just fill time
- Families who want real rest, not just a break
Our Experiences
Six categories of experiences across Melbourne and regional Victoria. All with matched support workers who share your interests.
Pop Culture & Gaming
Attend the events you're passionate about with proper support. Expos, screenings, launches, and community gatherings.
Explore EventsDay Trips
Full-day experiences to events, attractions, and activities you want to do. We handle the logistics, you have the fun.
Explore Day TripsCreative Events
Art exhibitions, workshops, craft markets, and creative experiences. Explore your artistic interests with supported accompaniment.
Explore CreativeOutdoor Adventures
Nature walks, day trips, beach outings, and outdoor activities. Get out and explore with the support you need.
Explore OutdoorsOvernight Experiences
Multi-day trips for bigger events or longer adventures. Comfortable accommodation with 24/7 support.
Explore OvernightsGroup Experiences
Connect with others who share your interests. Group trips to events where you can meet like-minded people.
Explore GroupsHow Your NDIS Plan Funds This
Respite experiences can be funded through several NDIS line items depending on the activity type:
- Short Term Accommodation (STA) – overnight experiences, up to 28 days/year
- Community Participation – day trips, group activities, and social outings
- Capacity Building – skill development through respite activities
- Fee-for-Service – no NDIS plan required, same experiences and team
All Plan Types Welcome
We work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed NDIS plans. No NDIS plan? All experiences are available fee-for-service. Same team, same activities, different payment method.
Not sure what's in your plan? Get in touch and we'll help you work out your options.
Respite, Straight From the NDIS
The details families search for, drawn from how the NDIS defines and funds a break from caring.
Short Term Accommodation, now Short Term Respite
The main NDIS funding route for a break is Short Term Accommodation (STA), which the NDIS renamed Short Term Respite in 2025 - the two terms mean the same thing. It covers your care, activities and accommodation for a short stay, and it exists to give you and your carers a break.
Source: NDIS - What is short term respite.
How much and how often
Most eligible participants get funding for up to 28 days of Short Term Respite a year, used flexibly - for example a block of up to 14 days at a time, or one weekend a month. It comes from your Core budget. Day trips and experiences that are not overnight are usually funded instead through Assistance with Social and Community Participation.
Source: ndis.gov.au.
What a provider can charge
The most a provider can charge is capped by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, published by the National Disability Insurance Agency and updated each financial year. The current 2025-26 arrangements took effect on 24 November 2025. We price every experience to that document and confirm your cost in writing before anything is booked. Source: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
Cost, Eligibility & Booking
Straight answers to the questions most families ask before getting in touch.
What it costs
Respite is priced to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Overnight stays are claimed under Short Term Accommodation (STA), which bundles support, accommodation, meals, and activities into a daily rate; day experiences are priced by support type and time of week.
No plan? Every experience is available fee-for-service. We confirm the cost with you in writing before anything is booked.
Am I eligible?
If your plan includes STA or Core community participation funding, you can use it here. STA is commonly funded up to 28 days a year, and it doubles as carer respite: a genuine break for the people who support you day to day.
Not sure what's in your plan? Your support coordinator or plan manager can check, or we'll help you work it out.
Where we work
We're based in Thomastown and run experiences across Greater Melbourne and its northern, western, and eastern suburbs. Day trips and overnight stays can also reach regional Victoria.
Tell us where you are and we'll tell you what's possible from there.
How booking works
- Tell us what you're into – a convention, a day trip, an overnight getaway, or a quieter outing.
- We plan it around you – matched to your interests, support needs, and goals, not a fixed group schedule.
- Give us a little lead time – overnight and event-based experiences need advance notice to arrange support and bookings, so reach out early for busy dates.
Ready for Your First Experience?
Tell us what you're into and we'll find the right experience for you.