Find Your Home Away From Home
The Disability Homestay Network (DHN) provides welcoming hosted accommodation and support for NDIS participants.
We offer short stays and day support programs with caring local families who are committed to seeing people with disability thrive. With hosts located all over the country, we maximise the choice of high-quality, inclusive accommodation and experiences for Australians living with disability.
The DHN program is managed by the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) in association with Breakaway Retreats.
Start Planning Your Stay
Book your hosted accommodation with our partners at Breakaway Retreats
A Provider You Can Trust
The Disability Homestay Network was established to positively impact the lives of Australians with disability, their families, hosts and the community
Since 2008, the Australian Homestay Network has placed more than 80,000 guests in welcoming hosted accommodation across Australia
Guests will have the opportunity to connect with new people and share experiences in a safe and supportive home environment
We are proud to offer standards-based, high-quality, personalised STA and support for eligible people with disability Australia wide
Our team will work with each guest (and/or their carer or support worker) to tailor the experience to their specific needs and goals
Safety is our top priority – all our hosts must complete an interview, house inspection, training and background checks
Meet New People, Develop Life Skills and Build Your Independence
The Disability Homestay Network (DHN) is focused on delivering a great personalised experience for guests and our host families.
We offer two programs in association with our partners at Breakaway Retreats:
Breakaway Connect: Spend 3 nights or more with a welcoming host family in their home.
Breakaway for a Day: Spend the day (up to 10 hours) with a host at their home and get out and about in the community.
As part of the booking process, the team at Breakaway Retreats will create a a profile and program to plan an enriching stay that helps you work towards your goals, make new connections, and enjoy the opportunities that a new experience brings.
All of your support needs and individual requirements – such as where you would like to go, the length of stay and activities you would like to try – will be included in your program.
Your profile will be used to match you with the most suitable host. We want to ensure you are comfortable with your host family, so you will have the opportunity to review their details before we finalise your placement.
‘Breakaway Connect’ Inclusions:
- Up to 2 “at home” meals per day by arrangement
- Hosted accommodation with a well-matched host
- Host suitability checks and training
- Personal care and assistance with daily life tasks
- One-on-one personalised attention and support
- Goal-orientated activities the participant and the host agree to
- Internet access
- Transportation around the community
- Guest and host liability insurance
- 24/7 emergency assistance
While the majority of costs during your stay will be covered, we recommend you bring some spending money for extras such as souvenirs or gifts.
‘Breakaway for a Day’ Inclusions:
- One-on-one personalised attention and support in a host’s home, for up to 10 hours
- Host suitability checks and training
- Personal care and assistance with daily life tasks
- Activities the participant and the host agree to
- Internet access
- Transportation around the community
- Guest and host liability insurance
- 24/7 emergency assistance
OUR HOSTS
- Hosts provide a comfortable home setting where people with disability are welcome. Your host family will include you in their day-to-day activities, provide opportunities for you to increase your life skills, and help you develop meaningful relationships.
- Disability Homestay Network hosts range in age, have different backgrounds and lifestyles, and come from all kinds of households including families, couples, individuals and housemates.
- We select hosts that are caring, positive and open-minded to ensure they are able to provide a great experience.
- Hosts undergo high-quality training in disability support work. They understand that different levels of assistance will be required depending on your unique abilities, and are flexible and mindful of each person’s needs.
HOST REQUIREMENTS
- Hosts must be over 25 years of age
- Must successfully complete an online training and assessment program
- Drivers licence and car
- NDIS Worker Screening OR Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) Check / Working With Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check – Visit the Host Clearances page for more information
Our approval process includes an interview and home assessment to ensure host applicants are a good fit for the program.
Hosts wishing to accommodate guests with High Support needs must have a valid First Aid certificate and current CPR training.