02/07/2026
Hello everyone,
The NDIS has undergone significant change this year, especially recently around respite services. These changes have moved quickly, and we recognise this has left many families uncertain about what the future holds for respite care. We also expect the scheme will continue to change in the years ahead, as reform keeps reshaping how respite and disability supports are delivered across the sector.
We want to put something on record: our commitment to all our participants and support network isn't changing.
We established Connect Farmstays because we saw a genuine need for respite that families could feel confident in — a place people look forward to attending, not simply a service that meets a minimum requirement. That founding purpose continues to guide every decision we make, regardless of what changes around it.
The farm remains the same. Our team remains the same. The stays away, whether it's a weekday, a weeknight, or a weekend — remain the same. Meals and day-to-day activities continue to be included as part of your stay, with only minimal changes to off-site activities. You and your family will continue to be supported by the same familiar, trusted faces, not an unfamiliar or rotating roster of staff.
We recognise that providers across the sector are navigating difficult decisions in response to these pricing changes and we understand that each business is responding in the way it considers appropriate for its own circumstances. For our part, Matt and I built Connect Farmstays to be something families could depend on, particularly during a period where so much else can at times feel uncertain. That reliability is central to what we do, and it is not something we are willing to compromise.
We are also continuing to progress our formal NDIS registration and we welcome any questions you may have about what this means for you or your family.
Should you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We are always available to discuss this personally and to provide clear, direct answers. Thank you all.
— Steven & Matt
