Transport and the NDIS: getting to appointments and activities
· Everyday supports · Source checked 12 October 2026
Transport funding is set apart from other supports and works differently. Here is how to think about using it and what to ask a provider who drives.
Transport is usually its own budget
Where transport is included in a plan, it is generally funded separately from your other supports and is set according to your circumstances. It is not simply a share of your support budget, so check your plan to see whether you have it and how it is meant to be used.
The amount and the rules differ from person to person. If you are unsure whether a particular journey is covered, ask your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA before you rely on it.
What transport funding is for
Transport funding is intended to help you travel to activities connected to your goals and plan, such as community participation, work or study. It is generally not a general allowance for all travel. Everyday medical trips, for example, are often treated differently.
Keep a simple record of journeys, purposes and costs so you can show how funding was used if asked.
Options to think about
You might use public transport, taxis or ride-share, community transport, a support worker who drives, or your own or a family member’s vehicle. Each has different costs and suits different needs. If you use a wheelchair or need assistance getting in and out of a vehicle, check accessibility before you book.
A support worker travelling with you may be charged for their time as well as the trip, so ask how the costs are split and how the journey is recorded.
Questions to ask a provider who drives
Ask whose vehicle is used, how it is insured and whether it suits your equipment. Ask how time and distance are charged, whether there are minimum charges, and what happens if a trip is cancelled or delayed.
Put the answers in your service agreement so the costs on your invoice match what you expected. This is general information, not advice about your plan.
Plan ahead and have a back-up
Accessible vehicles and regular drivers can be booked out, so arrange regular trips as standing bookings where you can. Have a second option for when the first falls through, such as a different taxi service or a person who can step in, and ask what happens if weather or a vehicle breakdown affects a planned trip.
Keep receipts and notes so that you can show what transport was used for, and review at the end of each period whether the budget is lasting the way you expected.
Frequently asked questions
Is transport funded separately in an NDIS plan?
Where transport is included in a plan, it is generally funded separately from your other supports and is set according to your circumstances. It is not simply a share of your support budget, so check your plan to see whether you have it and how it is meant to be used.
What is transport funding for?
It is intended to help you travel to activities connected to your goals and plan, such as community participation, work or study. It is generally not a general allowance for all travel, and everyday medical trips, for example, are often treated differently.
What should I ask a provider who drives?
Ask whose vehicle is used, how it is insured and whether it suits your equipment. Ask how time and distance are charged, whether there are minimum charges, and what happens if a trip is cancelled or delayed. Put the answers in your service agreement.
Keep learning
- Hiring an independent support worker: what to ask and check: Some people choose to work directly with an independent worker rather than a larger provider. Here is what to look at first, and what to put in writing.
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.
More in our NDIS updates and insights, our step-by-step guides, or the NDIS and aged care provider directory.
Official sources
Source checked 12 October 2026. Rules and guidance can change; verify current details with the responsible agency. How we write and check our guides.