Emergency STA Accommodation
Critical guide to accessing emergency Short Term Accommodation including crisis response procedures, immediate booking, safety planning, and emergency support services when you need help urgently.
In Immediate Danger?
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 000 immediately.
When You Might Need Emergency STA
Emergency STA is available for various crisis situations that require immediate alternative accommodation.
Home Damage or Loss
When your usual accommodation becomes uninhabitable
Example Situations:
- Fire, flood, or storm damage
- Gas leak or electrical hazards
- Structural damage requiring repairs
- Burst pipes or water damage
- Break-in or security concerns
- Heating/cooling system failure in extreme weather
Immediate Steps:
- 1Ensure immediate safety
- 2Contact emergency services if needed
- 3Document damage with photos
- 4Contact insurance provider
- 5Arrange temporary accommodation
Family Crisis or Breakdown
When family circumstances suddenly change
Example Situations:
- Family carer sudden illness or hospitalization
- Domestic violence or abuse situations
- Family relationship breakdown
- Death of primary carer
- Unexpected family emergency
- Mental health crisis in household
Immediate Steps:
- 1Ensure personal safety
- 2Contact support coordinator
- 3Reach out to family/friends if safe
- 4Contact emergency services if in danger
- 5Gather essential personal items
Accommodation Provider Issues
When your current accommodation provider can't continue
Example Situations:
- Provider closure or service withdrawal
- Serious safety concerns at current accommodation
- Provider unable to meet support needs
- Conflict with other residents requiring immediate move
- Provider breach of standards or obligations
- Eviction from current accommodation
Immediate Steps:
- 1Document issues and concerns
- 2Contact NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
- 3Inform support coordinator immediately
- 4Secure personal belongings
- 5Begin emergency accommodation search
Medical Emergency Impact
When medical situations affect your housing
Example Situations:
- Hospital discharge requiring different accommodation
- New medical equipment needs accommodation changes
- Infection control requiring isolation
- Recovery needs requiring specialized support
- Mental health crisis requiring different environment
- Medical emergency affecting household members
Immediate Steps:
- 1Coordinate with hospital discharge team
- 2Assess new accommodation requirements
- 3Gather medical documentation
- 4Contact NDIS planner for urgent review
- 5Arrange temporary medical support
Emergency STA Booking Process
Follow these steps to secure emergency accommodation quickly and safely.
Immediate Safety First
Ensure your immediate safety and contact emergency services if needed
Action Steps:
- Call 000 if in immediate danger
- Move to a safe location
- Contact trusted family/friends
- Secure essential medications and documents
- Take photos of any damage or issues
Contact Support Network
Reach out to your support team and emergency contacts
Action Steps:
- Call your support coordinator
- Contact current accommodation provider
- Notify family or emergency contacts
- Call NDIS emergency line if available
- Contact local disability advocacy service
Begin Accommodation Search
Start contacting STA providers for emergency placement
Action Steps:
- Call multiple STA providers in your area
- Explain emergency situation clearly
- Provide basic support needs information
- Accept first available suitable option
- Arrange transport to accommodation
Arrange Immediate Support
Ensure you have necessary support and resources
Action Steps:
- Confirm support staff arrangements
- Ensure medication access
- Arrange delivery of personal items
- Set up communication with family
- Begin planning next steps
Important Emergency Contact Numbers
Save these numbers in your phone and keep them easily accessible for emergency situations.
When to call: Advocacy support and assistance
Emergency Preparation Checklist
Being prepared helps you respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations.
- NDIS plan and participant card
- Medicare card and health insurance
- Identification documents
- Emergency contact list
- Medical information and care plans
- Medication list and prescriptions
- Support provider contact details
- Insurance policy information
- Essential medications (3-7 days supply)
- Change of clothes and personal items
- Phone charger and important phone numbers
- Small amount of cash
- Comfort items (photos, favorite objects)
- Assistive equipment or aids
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Basic toiletries
- Current support needs summary
- Dietary requirements and allergies
- Emergency contact list with relationships
- Preferred STA providers list
- Communication preferences
- Cultural or religious requirements
- Mobility and accessibility needs
- Behavioral support information
- Keep a "go bag" packed with essentials
- Store important documents digitally in cloud storage
- Practice your emergency plan with support team
- Research emergency STA providers in your area
- Share emergency plan with trusted contacts
- Review and update emergency information regularly