Transport is an essential part of living an ordinary life. Access to transport can increase independence and make it easier to participate in the community. If your disability makes travel more difficult or expensive, funding may be available through the NDIS. In this article, we explore some of the ways you may use your NDIS funding for your transport needs.

What does your Transport budget cover?

Funding for personal transport will be included in your NDIS plan as a Core support. You may be able to use your funding to pay for taxis, rideshares or other transport if you are unable to use public transport due to your disability.

You may need transport to travel to and from:

• work
• study
• day programs
• social activities in your community
• support providers

This funding cannot be used to pay:

• support workers
• family members

Is your Transport budget flexible?

Although transport is considered a Core support, it is not always flexible.

If you receive periodic instalments directly into your bank account, then you cannot use your Transport funding for other Core supports. Similarly, you will not be able to claim transport from your Core funding.

However, if you do not receive periodic transport payments, you will be able to use your Core funding across all categories, including transport.

Can other types of transport be funded by the NDIS?

There are many different types of ‘transport’ that may be funded by the NDIS, that may come out of budgets other than your Transport budget.

Is your support provider travelling to you?

If it is more convenient for a support provider to come to you, this may be funded using your NDIS plan. A provider can claim for travel costs using the same budget that the support comes from. For example, if the support provider was providing a service from your Improved Daily Living budget, then the transport costs would also come out of that budget.

Are you travelling with a service provider?

The NDIS may also provide funding for travel with a service provider as part of NDIS-funded community-based activities. This is referred to as activity-based transport.

Like provider travel, activity-based transport will be claimed from the same budget as the support itself. Most Core supports that fall under the Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation budget can claim for activity-based transport, as can certain Capacity Building supports.

Travel costs are charged at the agreed upon hourly rate for the support. However additional costs such as road tolls or parking may be claimed as well.

Want to learn to drive?

Learning to drive is a good way to develop independence. If being able to travel independently is a goal for you and you believe getting your driver’s licence will achieve this, the NDIS may be able to provide funding. In this situation, the funding would be included in Capacity building supports under Improved Daily Living.

Do you need vehicle modifications?

Vehicle modifications may be funded using your Assistive Technology budget if:

• the modifications are directly related to your disability
• the cost of the modifications is reasonable when compared to other supports

Although the vehicle itself may not be funded, the NDIS may fund modifications that allow you to:

• get in or out of the vehicle more easily
• drive the vehicle with specialised controls
• be safely transported while in a wheelchair
• carry your wheelchair on the vehicle without lifting

Are these supports reasonable and necessary?

To fund transport, the NDIA must be satisfied that the supports are reasonable and necessary to help you achieve the goals outlined in your NDIS plan.

If you want to know more about NDIS transport funding, give us a call on 1300 800 110.