Will the NDIS Fund My Holiday?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will not fund your holiday; however, you may be able to access your usual supports to assist you while you are away.

The NDIS funds items and services it deems “reasonable and necessary”, directly related to your specific disability support needs. These must also align with your NDIS plan goals. General travel costs (plane tickets, accommodations, activities or entertainment, food) are considered costs everyone must pay if they wish to go on holiday, so they do not qualify to be funded via your NDIS plan.

What may be funded by the NDIS are certain supports to help you take part in travel experiences and encourage independence; such as supports for social and community participation. For example, you might hire a support worker for assistance on your trip if you usually engage this service at home.

Can I use NDIS funding overseas on holiday?

There is no specific budget for holidays. NDIS holiday funding would be your everyday support, just in a different location. As such you may be able to access funding for NDIS supports while abroad, but it depends on your personal circumstances including how long you will be gone.

Assuming your expenses are eligible, you would only usually be able to rely on NDIS assistance for the first six weeks of travel. Beyond that point, or for any additional expenses, you would need to use your own savings.

You can request an extension of the six week grace period by contacting the NDIS and informing them of your plans: How long you will be away, why you are travelling, and the supports you require while abroad. This does not guarantee an extension, but is definitely worth enquiring about if you know you will exceed this timeframe.

Are holiday rentals counted as NDIS short term accommodation?

Short term accommodation and respite care is not intended for holidays, but as a way to encourage long-lasting support (particularly with informal supports like family) by offering a short break from usual care arrangements for both the participant and the carer.

Funding short term accommodation for this purpose is not the same as funding holiday accommodation. However, you may be able to claim additional costs incurred if they are directly related to your disability.

Related reading: NDIS Respite Care & Short Term Accommodation Explained

Can I use NDIS travel allowance for holidays?

No. NDIS funds for provider travel are designed to accommodate your everyday, regular needs. This does not include holiday-associated costs.

Broadly speaking, support workers you engage may claim travel costs for:

1. Time spent accompanying participants for core and capacity building supports (such as community access)
2. Time spent travelling to the participant to deliver face-to-face support (limits apply)
3. Non-labour travel costs such as parking fees, road tolls, running costs for the vehicle such as petrol costs.

However, these are in the context of your usual location (home, if they are coming to you) and the provider’s usual place of work. Any holiday specific costs like plane tickets, or accommodation while travelling, would not be considered reasonable for the NDIS to pay.

Related: A Guide to the NDIS Travel Allowance for Support Workers

Tips for a stress-free holiday experience

If travel experiences are part of your NDIS goals, there are some ways to make your holidays run smoother. A lot of this comes down to being prepared and speaking to the right people before you leave. Here’s some areas to consider while planning holidays:

1. Remember the currency difference if overseas

Invoices, even for items or supports purchased abroad, need to be submitted in AUD. It’s recommended to pay with a credit card while overseas, so that the exchange rate and actual cost in Aussie dollars at that time is captured accurately.

2. Plan ahead with your support worker

If you are travelling with a support worker, work out what level of care they would be able to provide while you’re away. Make an agreement well in advance to set expectations around the daily hours and any additional costs covered – and get it in writing so you can avoid any issues or confusion after the fact.

You may also want to take some time figuring out who the best person to travel with you is. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together on the trip. It’s best to choose someone you feel comfortable with if you can.

3. Travel with a group for cheaper rates

This can make things cheaper, and more fun! If you can travel with other people who need support, you may be able to split the time and costs of support workers on the trip. You may also be able to split accommodation costs. Some companies specialise in creating these group experiences as packaged holiday deals. Or, you can always organise it yourself if you fancy moonlighting as a travel agent!

4. Get comprehensive travel insurance

While the NDIS will not pay for it, you should consider getting a good travel insurance policy for your trip if you can. This is to cover any unexpected circumstances while you are away such as losing belongings, travel delays, or medical events. Read the T&Cs carefully and make sure you get a policy that works for your situation.

NDSP Plan Managers help you figure out your NDIS funds

In order to access funding while you are overseas, you need to first determine if you have the relevant budgets in your NDIS plan for the supports you will require. This means checking if you have funding in certain categories, and also how much you have left in your budgets overall. This is easy with NDSP’s expert team and user-friendly online Nappa portal.

As a plan managed participant, you will also be able to choose from more provider options (both registered and unregistered providers). When it comes to travel companions and supports, this can help secure the assistance that’s best for you.

Whether you’re planning to head overseas or wanting to stay closer to home for a holiday, having a short time away can be a wonderful way to meet new people and try new things. The last thing you want is to spend the whole time worrying about whether your NDIS funding will cover essential supports.

NDSP can help you figure out what’s funded in your plan and make sure your expenses and invoicing is NDIS-compliant. We take care of the financial admin of your NDIS plan so you can focus on the good stuff (like planning any upcoming travel).

Why not contact NDSP today to find out more about how we can help you make the most out of your plan?