Short-Term Respite
Our luxury home-style retreat is in the township of Wangaratta, 2.5 hours drive from Melbourne and perfectly situated within 40 minutes of multiple tourist destinations such as Beechworth, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford, Rutherglen and the King Valley. Wangaratta is known for its award-winning wineries, abundance of cafés and eateries, its many natural attractions and is Australia’s home of Jazz and Blues. Our accommodation is a head above the rest regarding location, spaciousness, decor, staff and options for food, drink and activities.
We specialise in offering Short-Term Respite care to NDIS participants over the age of 15 years with:
Mental Illness/Psychosocial Disabilities
Mild-Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (inc. ABI)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Level 1 and Level 2 ASD (with Level 2 accepted on a case-by-case basis based on presentation & needs).
Choice and Control
Our accommodation offers 100% choice and control. With an actual menu for food, beverages and activities. Everything from the firmness of the pillows to the colour emitted from the bedroom lights is adjustable. Each participant’s stay is 100% unique to their preferences and mood on the day.
Comfort
STR is designed as a form of respite, so we decided to go all out and offer a luxurious home-style retreat. Upon stepping into the STR house, participants will feel a sense of space and luxury. The accommodation has been fitted out in a French Provincial style, with comfort and relaxation high on the agenda.
Staff
Our select team of experienced and trained staff, are supervised by senior Occupational Therapists on how best to care for and engage with our complex client group. Staff are hand picked according to their their positive, relaxed energy and interpersonal awareness.
Our STR Offering
The Location:
Set in a quiet court amongst Wangaratta’s popular Cambridge Estate, our respite house is within 400 meters of walking tracks along the Oven’s River and Mullinmur Wetlands, in addition to the nearby Northern Beaches. And is a short drive to towns such as Glenrowan, Beechworth and the King Valley, making it ideal for day trips.
The House:
Five bedrooms; able to accommodate individual or group stays of up to four people
Two large living rooms
Sensory preferences in each room (light and audio systems)
Fully equipped kitchen and laundry
Multiple outdoor seating areas
Private pool and garden
Activities:
Wangaratta was chosen due to its proximity to various desirable activities and events. Prior to arrival, participants are provided with options for food, drink and engagement, some of which include:
Visiting local cafes, restaurants and wineries such as Café the PreVue and Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard;
Taking a leisurely ride along the Oven’s River on an E-Bike;
Visiting the nearby Northern Beaches for an afternoon of swimming or fishing (equipment provided);
Taking a day trip to Glenrowan and immersing in the history of Ned Kelly, visiting the key sites of the final siege;
Enjoying a famous hand-made pastry from Beechworth Bakery;
Taking part in a traditional Italian cooking class with chef Katrina from Pizzini’s Winery;
Relaxing around the house, enjoying a good book or swimming in the pool;
Planning and preparing nutritious meals;
Staying active by visiting the local Aquatic Centre & Gym;
Practising mindfulness in our dedicated on-site Yoga & Meditation room;
Ten-pin bowling, glow in the dark mini golf, movies and arcade games at Co Store Cinema Centre & Supa Bow
Other STR Locations:
At MCP, we recognise that every participant has different preferences when it comes to feeling safe, relaxed, and supported or that they might not necessarily reside close to our STR house, or the house may be booked for required dates.
Therefore, in addition to our dedicated respite house, we are also able to consider referrals for respite stays in other suitable locations, depending on availability and support requirements.
This may include stays in:
Modern hotels with accessible facilities
Airbnb-style accommodation for a private, homely feel
Holiday cabins or cottages for a peaceful break
Other short-term rentals that meet the participant’s needs
We work with participants, families, and support coordinators to ensure the chosen location is appropriate, comfortable, and aligned with NDIS guidelines.
Duration of Stay:
This all depends on the Core funding available in the participant’s NDIS plan. This can be investigated by reviewing the NDIS plan itself, speaking with the NDIS Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Plan Manager. Simply make contact with one of these people/agencies and ask about available funding to be utilised towards Short-Term Respite.
Cost:
Please note: upon completing a referral form and booking a stay at the STR, the price includes the accommodation, staff member, food, drink and entertainment for the entire duration. If transport to and from the house is required, please make mention of this in the referral.
Our pricing is set at the NDIS specified rates, based on ratio of support (i.e. individual or group stays), the day of the week and duration. Click here to review the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, with the prices listed on page 51.
Eligibility:
STR may be available to NDIS participants who rely heavily on family members or other unpaid carers for everyday support. This includes people who:
Live with their main informal supports, or
Receive daily drop-in help from those supports, and
Need more than six hours of disability-related assistance from them each day.
The NDIS only funds short term respite for children in specific situations, such as when:
The child’s support needs are significantly higher than what is typical for their age, and
The additional support helps the family maintain their caring role.
Please note: MCP provides services to participants aged 15 and over, so our respite services only apply to older teenagers and adults.
For the most up-to-date and detailed information about short term respite, you can visit the official NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/how-we-can-help-carers/short-term-respite
All referrals must be submitted via the referral form above.
Please provide all required information on the form to avoid delays. We thank you for considering our respite service.
