Reef Retreat NQ Accommodation – Supported Stays (SIL or CORE funded individuals)

If I fly into Townsville, how can I get to Reef Retreat NQ?

• Upon disembarking, you will be met at the airport gate off your flight by Reef Retreat NQ staff and transported to Reef Retreat NQ at Saunders Beach, a short 25-minute drive away.
• On your departure, you will be supported to return to the airport, check-in, wait for boarding and farewelled by Reef Retreat NQ staff (if required) for your return journey home.

Can my partner, carer or family member stay with me?

• Reef Retreat NQ is designed to provide supported stays to individuals according to their disability support needs.
• Carer’s accommodations are connected to each room, and therefore it is possible that other people can stay in proximity to your room, however we recommend you contact us at admin@reefretreatnq.com.au to discuss individual circumstances. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Do I have to be a NDIS Participant to stay at Reef Retreat NQ?

• We can provide accommodation with or without NDIS funded support services for anyone. Please contact us at admin@reefretreatnq.com.au to enquire. We will work with you to customise your stay based on your individual support needs.

Can I come to inspect Reef Retreat NQ and meet staff prior to booking my stay?

• Yes, you can! Please contact us directly via email to arrange an on-site visit to our beautiful facility admin@reefretreatnq.com.au

What happens if there is a cyclone?

• Reef Retreat NQ has cyclone policy and processes in place, along with a well-coordinated Disaster Management Plan that is regularly reviewed.
• The solid block construction of the building ensures guests are safe during cyclones.
• Reef Retreat NQ is not reliant on electricity from the grid and has back up battery and generators to maintain electricity supply.
• Guests will be kept inform of any cyclone activity that may approach during their stay and individual plans put in place in case of emergency, disaster or evacuation.

Is Reef Retreat NQ pet friendly?

• Generally, pets are not permitted at Reef Retreat NQ.
• Guide, hearing or assistance dogs certified by the Queensland Government are welcome at Reef Retreat NQ. Handlers are to have their identity card for sighting.
• Therapy, emotional support or companion dogs which are not certified, may be permitted under exceptional circumstances, however this will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Reef Retreat NQ – Beachside Day Program

What registration groups are you registered to deliver for day programs?

• Group and Centre Based Activities
• High Intensity Daily Personal Activities

How is my NDIS funding charged for the Day Program?

• Your funding is charged against the support category Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation.
• The hourly rate charged to your funding is divided by the number of participants in the group.
• Your support ratio is also considered. For example, if you have high support needs, you may attend with a support ratio of 1:1, meaning you will have one carer to support you during the length of your visit. If you are high functioning and able to share supports from one carer with two other people, then your ratio of support is 1:3 and you will be charged a third of the hourly rate.
• Your NDIS funding will be charged the hourly rate for Centre Capital Costs.
• Your NDIS funding will be charged for Transport if you use the Reef Retreat NQ staff transport to attend.

Can you pick me up and drop me off home?

• If you live within the Townsville area, the Reef Retreat NQ staff can pick you up and drop you home to your door.

What is a Program of Supports (POS)?

• A POS forms part of your Service Agreement to attend the Day Program. Therefore, it will be individualised based on your usual pattern of support and outline the length of time of the program, the exit rules and intended outcomes.
• The POS allows us to make claim against your NDIS funding whether you attend the Day Program or not.

What if I can’t attend my regular scheduled Day Program visit?

• Please call us as soon as you become aware that you cannot attend.
• If you do not have a POS in place, and you have provided less than 7 days notice to cancel, your NDIS funding will still be charged.

Will the Day Program still run if there is bad weather?

• While Townsville does enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year, during times of bad weather the Day Program will shift to indoor activities.
• The tropical north has an annual cyclone season. If in the event of a cyclone or other severe weather event you will be notified if the Day Program is cancelled.
• We will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible.

What do I need to bring to the Day Program?

• A sun safe, broad-brimmed hat
• A packed Lunch
• A drink bottle
• Medication if it is required
• Suitable footwear – reef or beach shoes recommended
• Swimming togs & towel
• Change of clothing
• Plastic bag to put wet items in

Reef Retreat NQ Accommodation – Short Term Accommodation & Respite Care (STA)

Can you pick me up and drop from off home?

• If you live within the Townsville region, including north to Ingham, west to Charters Towers, south to Ayr & Home Hill and anywhere else in between, the Reef Retreat NQ staff can pick you up and drop you home to your door.

If I fly into Townsville, how can I get to Reef Retreat NQ?

• Upon disembarking, you will be met at the airport gate off your flight by Reef Retreat NQ staff and transported to Reef Retreat NQ at Saunders Beach, a short 25-minute drive away.
• On your departure, you will be supported to return to the airport, check-in, wait for boarding and farewelled by Reef Retreat NQ staff (if required) for your return journey home.

Can my partner, carer or family member visit or stay with me?

• Reef Retreat NQ is designed to provide STA to individuals to give their informal support network and usual carer/s a break, and therefore it is not possible to have other people stay when utilising STA funding for respite, however we recommend you contact us at admin@reefretreatnq.com.au to discuss your individual circumstances. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Can I bring a friend or travel companion?

• Yes! You can both book into Reef Retreat NQ for STA at the same time, and each of you will have a room to yourself. We can accommodate a support ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 (staff:participant).
• If you both utilise NDIS funding, and your support ratio needs are suitable at 1:2, then you can both stay and share the costs of having one carer providing the support services to both of you during the stay.
• If you have NDIS funding and your travel companion does not, then your friend can book as an individual guest and pay the accommodation/support rates themselves, directly to Reef Retreat NQ. If this is the case, please contact us at admin@reefretreatnq.com.au to discuss your individual circumstances.

Do you only provide STA to NDIS Participants?

• We can also provide Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) when approved to do so, and Supported Independent Living (SIL), including the Assistance with Daily Life support category utilising NDIS CORE funding flexibly.

Do I have to be an NDIS Participant to stay at Reef Retreat NQ?

• We can provide respite accommodation combined with a support service with or without NDIS funding for anyone. Please contact us at admin@reefretreatnq.com.au to enquire for a quote. We will work with you to pre-plan your itinerary and customise your stay based on your individual needs.

How much do you charge my NDIS funding?

• We are registered to deliver support and will make claim under the category for Assistance with Daily Life at the applicable item number.
• Your funding will be charged according to your ratio of support i.e 1:1 or 1:2, for the time you receive a service.
• The maximum hourly rate is set by the NDIS, and your funding is charged in line with the current Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

Do I enter into a Service Agreement?

• Once you decide on the dates you want to stay, proceed to the Contact page. Here you can select to look at the booking calendars for the Reef Room or Rainforest Room and begin the process for booking our accommodation and support services.
• Once your booking request has been submitted, our Service Coordinator will make contact with you within 48 hours. We will begin working with you to design your individualised stay with us, including your Service Agreement.

What if I don’t have STA funding in my NDIS Plan?

• If you have funding available in your CORE budget, you can use this flexibly for STA.
• STA is not for holidays or to solve housing crisis.
• STA, including respite, is funding for support and accommodation for a short time away from your usual home.
• STA funding can help you pursue your goals such as:
  • Participating in the community
  • Trying new things
  • Meeting new people
  • Making new friends
  • Developing independence
  • Developing social skills
  • Developing capacity building skills to live independently
  • Giving your carers a break

What is included with my NDIS STA funding?

• STA, including the provision of Respite Care, integrates support for self-care, accommodation, food and activities in a facility such as Reef Retreat NQ for periods of less than 90 nights.
• It includes all expenses in a 24-hour period. Depending on the length of your stay, will depend on what activities are included. See our Activities page for more info.

Can I come to inspect Reef Retreat NQ and meet staff prior to booking my stay?

• Yes, you can! Please contact us directly via email to arrange an on-site visit to our beautiful facility admin@reefretreatnq.com.au

What happens if there is a cyclone?

• Reef Retreat NQ has cyclone policy and processes in place, along with a well-coordinated Disaster Management Plan that is regularly reviewed.
• The solid block construction of the building ensures guests are safe during cyclones.
• Reef Retreat NQ is not reliant on electricity from the grid and has back up battery and generators to maintain electricity supply.
• Guests will be kept inform of any cyclone activity that may approach during their stay and individual plans put in place in case of emergency, disaster or evacuation.