Activity-based transport

NDIS Core support

Transport to and from activities, such as community outings, classes or social events, when getting there is part of the support.

The short answer

Activity-based transport helps you get to and from activities, such as classes, outings and social events, when travelling there is part of the support. A support worker or driver takes care of the trip so the activity is possible.

About Activity-based transport

For many people the biggest barrier to taking part is not the activity but getting there. Activity-based transport removes that barrier. It might be a driver who takes you to a community program, or a support worker who travels with you on public transport and helps you feel confident doing it.

The transport is linked to the activity, so it is usually arranged around the timing of what you are doing. Providers plan pick-up and drop-off times, the route and any equipment you need, such as a wheelchair ramp, so the trip is smooth from start to finish.

It is worth understanding how transport is set up in your plan. Some people have a general transport allowance, while others have support that is tied to activities. Your support coordinator or planner can explain the difference and help you choose what suits how you like to get around.

Who is this service for?

People who need help travelling to and from activities, such as classes, outings or social events, and who are not able to use public transport independently.

What a typical session looks like

A trip usually begins with the driver or support worker arriving at the agreed time and place, helping you get in and settled, and making sure you have what you need for the activity. They take you to the venue, and depending on the arrangement they may wait, help you get inside, or come back at a set time to bring you home.

The support is often as much about confidence as about the vehicle. A worker who travels with you on public transport might practise the route with you until you are comfortable, then gradually step back. For others, the value is having someone dependable who understands their needs, so that getting to a class or event is no longer a source of worry.

Who delivers this support

Activity-based transport is typically provided by support workers or drivers working for a provider, or by independent workers. Depending on the person's needs, the driver may need additional training, for example in assisting with wheelchairs, in supporting someone who becomes anxious while travelling, or in helping with communication. The vehicle also matters, and it should be suitable for the person's mobility needs and properly maintained and insured.

How to choose a provider

• Ask whether vehicles can carry your mobility equipment and how it is secured.
• Check how bookings work and how much notice is needed for changes.
• Ask about the driver or support worker who will travel with you, including their training and any checks required.
• Find out what happens if a trip is running late or an activity is cancelled.
• Ask whether the provider can support you to build travel skills over time if that is a goal.

Questions to ask a provider

• Which trips does this cover, and which would need to be arranged separately?
• Is the vehicle suitable for my mobility equipment, and how is it kept safe and roadworthy?
• Will the same driver or worker usually come, and what happens if they are unavailable?
• How do you handle delays, cancellations and changes to the activity?
• What screening and training do your drivers and workers have?
• Can the worker stay with me during the activity if I need it, or do they only do the travel?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Agreeing to transport without being clear about whether waiting time and the return trip are part of the arrangement.
• Not checking that the vehicle can safely carry your equipment before the first trip.
• Assuming a worker will stay for the activity when the arrangement only covers the drive.
• Leaving cancellation and change terms unclear until something goes wrong.
• Relying on a single driver with no back-up plan for when they are unwell or unavailable.

Getting started

1. Write down the activities you want to get to and how often.
2. Check how transport appears in your plan.
3. Contact providers, describe your needs and ask for availability in your area.
4. Agree how trips will be booked, changed and reviewed, and put it in a service agreement.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

This support usually works alongside the activities it enables, such as community access, social and recreation programs, group activities or skill-building classes. It can help to think of the two together: an activity that is out of reach without transport is not really accessible yet. It also sits next to other transport arrangements, so it is worth being clear with your provider about which trips the support is meant to cover.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Activity-based transport if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Core supports help with everyday activities and are usually the most flexible part of an NDIS plan. If Activity-based transport is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Core budget. Your plan shows how much you have and how it can be used. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Activity-based transport that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Transport providers on the NDIS register

13,939 NDIS providers list transport supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing transport

• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
• 1 Call Rubbish Removal - VIC; includes Greenvale, VIC
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
• 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
• 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
• 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
• 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW

See all 13,939 transport providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (4,789)
• Victoria (4,120)
• Queensland (2,423)
• South Australia (1,283)
• Western Australia (1,147)
• Australian Capital Territory (317)
• Northern Territory (313)
• Tasmania (230)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (596)
• Melbourne, VIC (497)
• Sydney, NSW (380)
• Central Coast, NSW (294)
• Perth, WA (274)
• Adelaide, SA (239)
• Blacktown, NSW (232)
• Parramatta, NSW (224)
• Liverpool, NSW (210)
• Tarneit, VIC (203)
• Canberra, ACT (188)
• Werribee, VIC (186)

Listings covering the most areas

• Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
• Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
• Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
• Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
• Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
• Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
• Huge Care - 188 areas
• Nurse Next Door Bass Coast - 178 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Cultural, religious and civic participation
• Group / shared living support
• Group and centre-based activities
• High-intensity personal care

Frequently asked questions

What is activity-based transport?

It is transport connected to an activity, for example getting to and from a community program, class or outing. A support worker or driver helps the person travel safely and arrive on time.

How is it different from other transport supports?

Activity-based transport is tied to particular activities, rather than being a general allowance. Ask your planner or support coordinator how transport is set up in your plan.

What should I ask a transport provider?

Ask about the vehicles they use, whether they can support your mobility equipment, how bookings and changes work, and whether drivers have the checks and training the role requires.

Can a support worker travel with me on public transport?

Yes, this is common. A worker can help you plan the route, travel with you and build your confidence, with the aim of doing more on your own if that is your goal.

What if I use a wheelchair?

Ask providers about wheelchair-accessible vehicles and how they secure equipment. Confirm this before your first trip so there are no surprises.

Does the driver need any special checks?

People who work with participants in certain roles may need to hold a valid worker screening check. Ask the provider how they handle this for their drivers and support workers.

Can transport support help me learn to use public transport?

Yes, this is a common use. A worker can travel with you, practise the route, and gradually reduce their involvement as your confidence grows. It helps to agree at the start what you are aiming for.

Is the support worker allowed to drive my own car?

Arrangements differ between providers and depend on insurance and policy. Ask the provider directly, and make sure you understand who is covered if something happens.

What if the activity is cancelled after the driver has arrived?

The provider's agreement should say how cancellations and changes are handled. Asking for this in writing before you start avoids misunderstandings later.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Activity-based transport?

If Activity-based transport is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Activity-based transport provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory