Recurring transport allowance
NDIS Core support
A regular allowance related to travel, for people who can’t use public transport because of their disability.
The short answer
A recurring transport allowance is a regular allowance related to travel for people who cannot use public transport because of their disability. How it works is set out in the person's plan.
About Recurring transport allowance
Getting around can be one of the biggest costs for people who cannot use public transport. Instead of paying for each trip through a provider, some plans include an allowance that covers ongoing travel needs. This gives flexibility, because you can choose how to travel, whether by taxi, rideshare, your own vehicle or a combination.
The allowance is intended for travel related to your disability and your goals, such as getting to work, study, community activities and appointments. How it can be used and how much is included depends on your plan and your circumstances, so it is worth reading the wording carefully.
If you are unsure how transport is set up in your plan, speak to your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. They can explain what it covers, how it is paid and how to keep records so you can show how it has been used.
Who is this service for?
People who cannot use public transport because of their disability and who have ongoing travel needs.
What a typical session looks like
A recurring transport allowance helps with the ongoing costs of getting around when disability affects how you travel to work, study or community activities. It is not a service delivered by a worker, but a regular contribution toward transport costs. You use it for the kinds of travel it is intended for, and keep records as needed.
Day to day, this might mean using the allowance for taxis, ride-share, a vehicle you are able to use or other approved options, depending on your circumstances and how it is set up. It is worth checking with your planner or coordinator what you can use it for and what records you need to keep.
Who delivers this support
There is no provider in the usual sense. Your planner, support coordinator or plan manager can explain how the allowance works in your plan and how to use it. If you are unsure whether a particular trip qualifies, ask before you rely on it.
How to choose a provider
- Read how transport is described in your plan.
- Ask your planner what the allowance can and cannot be used for.
- Keep records of trips and costs.
- Compare transport options for the trips you make regularly.
- Ask about other transport supports if the allowance does not meet your needs.
Questions to ask a provider
- What kinds of travel can I use the allowance for?
- What records do I need to keep?
- How does it work with other transport supports in my plan?
- Who can I ask if I am unsure whether a trip is covered?
- What happens if my travel needs change?
- How can I review whether the allowance is meeting my needs?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the allowance for travel it was not designed to cover.
- Not keeping records of how it is used.
- Assuming it will cover all transport costs without checking.
- Not raising a change in travel needs before a review.
- Overlooking other transport supports that may suit some trips better.
Getting started
- Check your plan for transport funding.
- List your regular trips and costs.
- Ask your planner or coordinator how the allowance works.
- Keep receipts and notes so you can review how it is being used.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
The allowance sits alongside other transport supports such as activity-based transport, specialised transport and driver training. It helps to think about how these fit together. For example, you may use the allowance for regular trips to work and a transport service for community activities.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Recurring transport allowance 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 Recurring transport allowance 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 Recurring transport allowance 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
- Short Term Accommodation (STA) / respite
- Social and recreation activities
- Specialised transport
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Frequently asked questions
What is a recurring transport allowance?
A regular allowance related to travel, for people who cannot use public transport because of their disability. How it is set up is described in the person's plan.
How is it different from paying a transport provider?
An allowance is a regular amount for ongoing travel needs. Transport providers deliver specific trips or services. Ask your planner how your plan handles it.
Where can I get advice?
Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can explain how transport is included in your plan and what you can use it for.
Can I use the allowance for taxis?
Ask your planner how it can be used in your circumstances.
What if the allowance is not enough?
Speak to your planner or support coordinator about your travel needs and what can be done.
Do I need to keep receipts?
It is a good idea, because you may be asked to show how funds were used.
Is the transport allowance the same as a transport service?
No. An allowance is a regular contribution toward your own transport costs, while a transport service is a provider taking you where you need to go.
Which records should I keep when I use the allowance?
Keeping records is sensible, and your planner or plan manager can tell you what is needed.
Can I use it to buy a car?
It is not designed for that. If you need a vehicle or modifications, ask your planner or therapist about the supports that cover vehicles.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Recurring transport allowance?
If Recurring transport allowance 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 Recurring transport allowance 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
Helpful reading
- 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.