A roadmap to NDIS travel and transport

Getting from A to B connects people to each other and to vital services and activities in the community. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help people get around by funding different travel and transport expenses.

Whether you're an NDIS participant or a provider, there are a few key situations where the NDIS might be able to pay for transport costs, including where:

• a provider travels to a client's home or other location to deliver services
• a provider transports their client as part of an NDIS activity
• a participant hires a transport provider to take them to NDIS activities or non-NDIS related appointments and activities
• a participant needs taxis or rideshares to transport themselves because they can't use public transport

Each of these transport types has its own rules about what can be claimed, and how, as outlined in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. In this roadmap, we’ll break it all down so you can navigate your options with confidence, knowing what support might be available to help you get where you need to go.

NDIS provider travel costs

Many providers (but not all) can charge for costs associated with travelling to a client to provide face-to-face supports. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document states whether these costs can be claimed for each specific type of support (it will be mentioned in the description if it can be claimed).

Travel costs can only be charged with the participant’s prior understanding and agreement, and where either an employee needs to be paid for their time, or a sole trader is travelling between clients or from their usual place of business.

Under changes to NDIS travel introduced from 1 July 2025, therapy providers can claim half of the relevant price limit for time spent travelling to a client, up to the usual time caps for their location. This means a physiotherapist with a price limit of $183.99 per hour can claim up to $92 per hour for travel. However, non-therapy providers who are permitted to claim travel time, can charge up to 100 per cent of the relevant price limit for the associated support.

Providers can claim travel time in both directions – up to 30 minutes each way in metropolitan areas and an hour each way in regional areas. Travel in remote and very remote areas isn’t subject to time caps.

If a support description says ‘Provider Travel – Non-Labour Costs’ can be claimed for a particular support, that means the provider can also charge for other costs, like road tolls, parking fees, and the running costs of a vehicle (e.g. fuel). Providers and participants can negotiate a reasonable contribution to these costs, such as 99 cents per kilometre of travel to cover fuel.

Charges for provider travel time are always invoiced under the same line item as the support being provided, but on a separate line to the support itself. Any non-labour costs should also be invoiced under a separate line, using the line item listed in the support description in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

Activity-based transport in the NDIS

Activity-based transport is used when a provider takes a participant to or from a community participation activity or transports them as part of certain Capacity Building Supports activities.

For example, a provider may collect a participant from their home and drive them to a community event – where they’ll also support them – and then drive them home afterwards. Or a provider helping with employment may transport a participant between job trials where they’re assisting them.

Only a few support categories allow funding to be used this way. If you're unsure whether it's included in your NDIS plan, chat with your support coordinator or give us a call – we’re here to help you figure it out.
As with provider travel, activity-based transport can cover the driving time and other costs associated with the transport, with the agreement of the participant. Sometimes this will be used for group activities, and in that case, the provider should split the travel costs between all participants.

Transport time should be invoiced under the same line item as the support being provided, but on a separate line to the support itself. Any non-labour charges should be invoiced separately to the transport time charge, using the ‘Activity Based Transport’ line item associated to the support being provided.

Core Supports funding

Transport is one of the four flexible support categories under Core Supports. That means it mightn’t be listed separately in a participant’s plan, but if they have available funding in another Core Supports category, they may be able to use it to cover general transport related supports.

Providers can claim under this category when they're driving a participant to an activity but not delivering support during the activity itself. For example, this could include trips to a doctor’s appointment, workplace, or an NDIS-related activity with another provider.

Transport funded this way is different from activity-based transport, which includes both travel and support. Core Supports transport funding only covers travel.

This funding can also be used for specialised transport, if a participant needs special transport to get them to school, work, or out into the community. However, specialised transport is subject to quotation and can only be used if it’s stated in the participant’s NDIS plan. So, if you require this type of support, make sure to get a quote and request it at your next reassessment meeting.

Recurring transport funding

Some participants receive recurring transport funding if they can’t use public transport without substantial difficulty due to their disability. This funding covers things like taxis and rideshares to get around, but it doesn't cover travel assistance provided by others.

In the NDIS, there are three levels of recurring transport funding:

Level 1 – The NDIS may provide $1784 per year for participants who’re not working, studying, or attending day programs, but are seeking to enhance their community access.

Level 2 – The NDIS may provide $2676 per year for participants who’re working or studying part time (up to 15 hours per week), participating in day programs, and for other social, recreational or leisure activities.

Level 3 – The NDIS may provide $3456 per year for participants who’re currently working, looking for work, or studying at least 15 hours per week, and who’re unable to use public transport because of their disability.

This funding is deposited directly into the participant’s bank account on a recurring basis. It doesn’t need to be invoiced or claimed, and it can be spent as needed on transport costs.

We’re here to help

Navigating travel and transport funding in the NDIS can sometimes feel like winding through unfamiliar backstreets – confusing and full of roundabouts. If you're unsure about what can be claimed or how it works, our friendly team is here to assist – be sure to contact us.

Updated 17 September 2025