The NDIS rules around travel and transport can be difficult to navigate and understand. NDSP Plan Managers are here to guide you through what can be a complex journey and have broken down these rules for you.
What are the rules around travel and transport? There are four general ways a participant can use their NDIS fundings. Here are some generic examples and the corresponding funding categories.
Core Budget: Assistance with Daily Life
Do you need a support worker to visit a participant and help them with meal preparation, get ready for the day or do household chores? Yes, these travel-related expenses with the assistance of a support worker can be funded.
These types of supports are funded under the Core budget as part of the category – Assistance with Daily Life.
Core Budget: Assistance with Social and Community Participation
Do you need travel and transport support in order to attend a social event such as a dance class, a concert or a weekend camp? Yes, these travel-related expenses can be funded.
These types of supports are funded under the Core budget as part of the category – Assistance with Social and Community Participation.
Other examples of travel and transport supports under this funding can include:
- Visiting a library
- Going to a community event
- Joining a sports club
Core Budget: General Transport (without support worker)
If you are wondering if taking an Uber ride or getting a taxi for your general transport needs can be funded, the short answer is yes.
These types of supports can be funded under your Core budget as part of the category – General Transport.
Not to be confused with Assistance with Daily Life support, General Transport fundings are described as personal transport costs without the assistance of a support worker (i.e. no hourly costs billed). Contact our team at NDSP to check whether your NDIS plan includes General Transport for your personal needs.
Other examples of travel and transport supports under this funding can include:
- To go to work
- To go to the beach
- To watch in a cinema
- To see a doctor
Capacity Building Budget
Do you need transport support to assist you in attending a class or training to help you move from school to further education? Yes, these travel-related expenses that are considered as part of ‘Improved Learning’ can be funded.
These types of supports are funded under the Capacity Building budget. The categories that fall under these are:
- Improved Daily Living
- Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Finding and Keeping a Job
- Increased Social and Community Participation
- Support Coordination
- Improved Relationships
- Improved Learning
- Improved Living Arrangement
Unlike the Core budget, Capacity Building Supports budget cannot be moved from one support category to another. Fundings under Capacity Building can only be used to purchase approved individual supports.
Regardless of the mode of transport (e.g. privately hired vehicle, ride sharing app, ferry, train, bus or any other public transport), these travel and transport supports are all generally funded by the NDIS.
Here’s a general guideline to understand if a requested support can be funded by the NDIS:
This information relates to general travel arrangements and is subject to change by the NDIS. It is correct as at September 2022.
Note: Except for general transport, the NDIS has time limits for charging travel depending on where the support is delivered. The NDIA uses the 2019 Modified Monash Model (MMM) – please visit this page (MMM) for further information.
If you have questions about your NDIS plan, contact us via email at info@ndsp.com.au or call us at 1800 820 418.
