Supported holidays and camps
NDIS Core support
Holidays and camps with the support a person needs to take part, whether in a group or with one-to-one help.
The short answer
Supported holidays and camps give you a holiday or camp experience with the support you need to take part, whether in a group or with one-to-one help.
About Supported holidays and camps
Holidays are a chance to rest, explore and make memories. For people who need support to travel or take part, planning can be a barrier. Supported holidays remove it: a provider organises the trip, including accommodation, transport, activities and the workers who provide personal support.
Some providers run group holidays with a set itinerary, while others help individuals plan a trip to a place of their choice. Camps focus on activities and friendship, and are often organised around themes such as outdoor recreation, arts or sport.
When choosing, look at what is included, how much support there is and how the trip is run. Ask about staff-to-participant ratios, accessibility, how medications and health needs are managed and what happens if something goes wrong or you want to come home early.
Who is this service for?
People who want a holiday or camp and need support to take part.
What a typical session looks like
A supported holiday is a trip with the support you need to enjoy it, whether that is a weekend away, a beach stay, a cruise or an overseas trip. A worker or group leader helps with travel, accommodation, personal care, medication and communication, so you can focus on being on holiday.
Before you go, the provider works with you to plan the destination, activities, accessibility and what to pack. During the holiday, staff are on hand for anything you need, and there is time for relaxation and fun. Some holidays are in groups organised for people with similar interests, while others are individual trips with a support worker.
Who delivers this support
Supported holidays are organised by disability service providers, specialist travel companies and community groups. Staff should be trained, screened and experienced in the kind of support needed, including for travel. Ask about the ratio of staff to guests, how health needs and emergencies are handled and what accommodation and transport are used.
How to choose a provider
- Ask what is included and what costs extra.
- Check the ratio of staff to participants and how support is organised.
- Ask about accessibility of accommodation and activities.
- Find out how health needs and medication are managed.
- Ask what happens if you want to leave early or become unwell.
Questions to ask a provider
- How do you plan the trip and take my needs into account?
- What is the ratio of staff to guests, and what training do staff have?
- How is accessible transport and accommodation arranged?
- How are medication, health needs and emergencies managed?
- What travel insurance and cancellation arrangements are in place?
- Who is responsible for what costs, and how is it explained in writing?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not checking that accommodation is truly accessible.
- Not organising medication and equipment ahead of the trip.
- Forgetting travel insurance and cancellation terms.
- Not clarifying which costs are covered and which are yours.
- Not asking how emergencies are handled away from home.
Getting started
- Decide where you would like to go and with whom.
- Contact providers and ask about upcoming holidays or custom trips.
- Discuss your support needs and any health requirements.
- Plan ahead for packing, medication and travel.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Holidays connect with respite, community access and social activities. For families and carers, they can provide a valuable break. It is worth thinking about how the support works away from home, including medication, equipment, accessible accommodation and what happens if someone becomes ill.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Supported holidays and camps 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 Supported holidays and camps 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 Supported holidays and camps 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.
Community access providers on the NDIS register
15,301 NDIS providers list community access supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing community access
- 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 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
- 10 Winchester Farm - NSW; includes Piggabeen, NSW
See all 15,301 community access providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (5,202)
- Victoria (4,426)
- Queensland (2,760)
- South Australia (1,458)
- Western Australia (1,251)
- Northern Territory (343)
- Australian Capital Territory (334)
- Tasmania (272)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (636)
- Melbourne, VIC (494)
- Sydney, NSW (385)
- Central Coast, NSW (313)
- Perth, WA (297)
- Adelaide, SA (262)
- Blacktown, NSW (258)
- Parramatta, NSW (242)
- Liverpool, NSW (224)
- Tarneit, VIC (206)
- Canberra, ACT (192)
- Geelong, VIC (191)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 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
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
- Transport to activities and appointments
- Volunteering and community groups
- Yard maintenance and gardening
- Activity-based transport
Frequently asked questions
What is a supported holiday?
A holiday or camp with the support a person needs to take part, whether in a group or with one-to-one help.
Can I go with family or friends?
Often. Some providers support individuals on their own trips, and others run group holidays. Ask what is possible.
What should I check when booking?
Ask about staff-to-participant ratios, accessibility, what is included and what happens if something goes wrong.
Can family or friends join my supported holiday?
Often. Some providers support individuals or small groups. Ask what is possible.
Can I choose the destination?
On tailored holidays yes. Group holidays usually have set destinations.
What if I have never travelled without family?
Many providers offer shorter first trips. Ask how they help first-time travellers feel comfortable.
Can I go on holiday with my own support worker?
Often yes, and it can be arranged with the worker and provider. Costs and conditions need to be agreed in advance.
Are supported holidays only for groups?
No. There are group trips and individual holidays, so ask which suits you.
What should I check before booking?
Check accessibility, staffing, health support, insurance and what is included in the price. Ask for details in writing.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Supported holidays and camps?
If Supported holidays and camps 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 Supported holidays and camps 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.