Transport is an important part of everyday life. You might need it to get to work, a place of study, medical appointments or to access the community.
If you’re unable to travel independently due to disability, the NDIS may fund supports to help you get around. It’s important to consider your transport needs during your initial planning or plan reassessment meeting.
NDIS transport supports are specifically funded for travel and are very limited in application, including help with everyday travel and specialised transport.
How transport is funded under the NDIS.
The NDIS will only provide transport funding if you’re unable to use public transport such as a city bus, train or tram without substantial difficulty due to disability.
Funding must meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria. That means the cost must:
- Be related to your disability support needs
- Be an NDIS support
- Not be a day-to-day living cost
- Not duplicate existing government services or subsidies.
The NDIS will take into account any taxi subsidy schemes available. It will also consider what is reasonable for families, carers, informal networks and the community to provide.
Recurring transport funding under PACE.
If you’re on the PACE system, you may see recurring transport funding listed under Core Supports – Recurring.
Recurring transport funding:
- Is paid regularly (usually fortnightly into your nominated bank account.
- Can be used for everyday disability-related transport needs such as taxis or rideshare services
- Does not require you to submit claims to the NDIS.
These funds can’t be moved between support categories or used flexibly like other Core supports. If you receive these payments, you are unable to claim Transport expenses through any plan managed core funds.
Transport funding under legacy NDIS Plans.
If you’re not on a PACE plan, transport funding may still be included in your NDIS Plan but it will look a little different. Transport supports are usually listed as a separate line item in the Core – Transport budget.
If your transport budget is plan managed, it can usually be treated flexibly, meaning you can draw funding for transport for other Core budgets. In this case, transport funding is not paid automatically. You’ll need to make claims for transport expenses as you go.
The most common forms of transport are taxis and rideshares. If you’re plan managed, some taxi companies will create an account and invoice your plan manager directly. However, if this is not offered or you prefer to use rideshare, you may have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed.
For legacy plan participants with agency managed Transport budgets, the NDIS will usually pay a fortnightly stipend directly. If you receive these payments, you are unable to claim Transport expenses through any plan managed core funds.
What are the NDIS transport funding levels?
There are three levels of transport funding support which apply to both PACE and legacy plans.
Level 1 transport funding: Up to $1,784 per year for participants who are not working, studying or attending day programs but are seeking to enhance their community access. This also covers people who want to do volunteer work without pay.
Level 2 transport funding: Up to $2,676 per year for participants who are currently working or studying part-time (up to 15 hours a week), participating in day programs and for other social, recreational or leisure activities.
Level 3 transport funding: Up to $3,456 per year for participants who are currently working, looking for work or studying at least 15 hours a week and are unable to use public transport because of their disability.
In exceptional circumstances, some people may receive higher funding if they have supports in their plan to enable them to work.
NDIS transport funding for children under 18.
Parents are usually responsible for their child’s daily transport. The NDIS does not usually fund everyday transport costs for children, as these are considered part of typical parental responsibilities.
The NDIS may fund transport supports for children if:
- Their disability significantly increases support needs
- Standard transport options (like public transport or a family car) are not suitable
- The child’s needs are greater than what’s typical for other children their age
- The support reduces risk to the child or family
- It helps build the child’s skills or independence
- It doesn’t replace typical parenting responsibilities.
The NDIS may fund specialist transport to and from school if the child cannot access school using regular transport options due to the functional impact of their disability.
What transport costs are not covered by the NDIS?
The NDIS does not fund:
- Public bus or train fares
- Bus or train tickets for family members, friends or carers
- General transport for children under 18
- Paying a family member to drive you
- Making public transport more accessible.
Provider transport and related costs.
Providers may claim reasonable travel costs for delivering supports as well as driving participants to community or other activities.
Provider travel to deliver a support: This refers to when a provider travels to you at home or in the community. They can claim the time spent travelling as well as costs for tolls and parking. The cost is funded under the same line item as the support being delivered – not from your transport budget.
Activity-based transport: This refers to when a support worker transports you to or from a support or activity. This would usually come under Core – Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation funding in your NDIS Plan.
For more information about provider transport, see NDIS provider travel costs and activity based transport.
How does my NDIS Plan affect my Mobility Allowance?
You can’t get Mobility Allowance once you join the NDIS. Your Mobility Allowance funding will not automatically transition to your NDIS Plan so it’s important to clearly explain your transport needs in your first planning meeting.
Preparing for your plan meeting or reassessment.
Before attending your plan meeting or reassessment, think about and record or write down your transport needs.
- Think of examples of situations where you can’t travel independently
- Be prepared to discuss whether you need any personal transport-related aids, equipment or modifications
- Be ready to suggest any training that you may need so that you can use public transport.
Questions?
Let us know if you have more questions or would like help with your NDIS pre-planning for your first meeting or plan reassessment.
Call us on 1300 05 78 78 to have your questions answered, to book your free NDIS pre-planning session or sign up to Leap in! plan management today.
Further reading.
- Taxi vouchers and transport support.
- NDIS provider travel costs and activity based transport.
- PACE and changes to the NDIS.
First published 16 January 2019, revised and updated 11 March 2024 and add 12 November 2025.
