Transport
Transport support helps a person travel to activities, appointments, work, education or community participation when disability or care needs make ordinary transport options difficult. It may involve direct transport, support to use public transport, or travel delivered as part of another support.
Understanding transport
Start by separating the travel outcome from the transport method. Some people need a driver and accessible vehicle; others need a worker to accompany them, practise a route or manage anxiety and communication. A provider should explain whether it offers transport as a standalone service, only during another booked support, or through activity-based travel charged under specific rules.
Safety and reliability are central. Confirm vehicle suitability, wheelchair restraints, transfer assistance, child restraints, driver licensing, insurance and what happens during delays or breakdowns. If a support worker uses a private vehicle, ask how that use is authorised and insured. The person should know who is collecting them, where they will wait, and how changes are communicated.
Pricing can include worker time, kilometres, tolls, parking or provider travel, depending on the arrangement and funding rules. These are different charges and should be written separately. Agree cancellation rules, shared rides, waiting time and whether the worker remains during the appointment or activity.
What support may include
- Travel to appointments, employment, education, shopping or community activities.
- Assistance entering, leaving or travelling safely in a suitable vehicle.
- Training and support to build confidence using public or community transport.
- Activity-based transport delivered during another support where permitted and agreed.
- Route planning and communication arrangements for regular or unfamiliar journeys.
Plan the support
- Record pickup and destination details, mobility equipment, transfer needs and communication preferences.
- Confirm whether the person travels alone, with a worker, with other passengers or with a support animal.
- Separate hourly support charges from kilometres, tolls, parking and waiting time.
- Plan late pickups, cancelled appointments, vehicle failure and urgent contact arrangements.
Questions to ask providers
- Are vehicles, drivers and wheelchair restraints suitable and insured for this journey?
- Will transport be private or shared, and who else may be in the vehicle?
- How are worker time, kilometres, tolls, parking and waiting charged?
- Can you provide the same driver or worker for regular journeys?
- What is the procedure for delays, breakdowns, incidents or a missed pickup?
Funding considerations
NDIS transport funding and provider-delivered travel are not the same thing. A participant may receive a transport budget, purchase assistance to use transport, or pay activity-based transport associated with another support where current rules allow it.
Aged care, DVA, health and community transport programs may have separate eligibility and contribution rules. Confirm which program applies before assuming a fare or worker journey is covered.
Safeguards and records
- Confirm driver licensing, vehicle registration, insurance and any required worker screening.
- Check accessible-vehicle and restraint procedures for wheelchairs or other mobility equipment.
- Use clear pickup identity and consent arrangements for children or people at risk.
- Document incident response, emergency contacts and medication or health needs relevant during travel.
Official information
Find transport providers or browse all service guides.
Reading about Transport
- Transport and the NDIS: getting to appointments and activities: 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.
- 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.