NDIS Transport Funding: What You Can and Can't Claim
Transport is one of the most asked-about (and most misunderstood) parts of the NDIS. Almost everyone needs to get somewhere, whether it's to appointments, work, social activities, or just the shops. But the rules around what the NDIS will and won't fund for transport aren't always clear.
Let's sort it out.
How Transport Funding Works in Your Plan
Transport funding in your NDIS plan usually sits under the Core Supports budget, specifically in a category called "Transport." But it can also show up in other parts of your plan depending on what it's for.
There are three main levels of NDIS transport funding:
Level 1: You Can Use Public Transport Without Help
If you can use buses, trains, and trams independently, the NDIS generally won't fund transport. The reasoning is that public transport is available to everyone, so it's not a disability-related cost.
In Adelaide, the South Australian government offers a free travel concession for NDIS participants. If you have an NDIS plan, you may be eligible for free or heavily discounted travel on Adelaide Metro services. Check with Service SA or your support coordinator to set this up.
Level 2: You Can Use Public Transport With Some Help
If you can use public transport but need a support worker to travel with you (for example, due to anxiety, cognitive disability, or physical safety), the NDIS may fund the support worker's time and travel costs but not necessarily give you a separate transport budget.
In this case, the cost of your support worker accompanying you would come from your Core Supports budget under "Assistance with Daily Life" or "Assistance with Social and Community Participation."
Level 3: You Can't Use Public Transport
If your disability means you genuinely can't use public transport, the NDIS may include a transport budget in your plan. This is a set amount, usually paid as a periodic payment (fortnightly) or as a lump sum.
The amount varies depending on your circumstances, but it's typically between $1,600 and $3,456 per year, though it can be higher in some cases.
This money can be used for:
- Taxi or rideshare fares (Uber, Ola, etc.)
- Fuel costs if someone drives you
- Disability-specific transport services (like Access Cabs in Adelaide)
- Contribution to running costs if you drive a modified vehicle
What NDIS Transport Funding Covers
Here's where people get confused. Let's be specific.
Getting to NDIS-funded activities. If you need transport to get to your support worker, therapy sessions, day programs, or community groups funded by your plan, that's what transport funding is for.
Getting to medical appointments. This is a grey area. The NDIS generally says that transport to medical appointments is a health system responsibility, not theirs. However, if the appointment is related to your NDIS supports (like seeing an OT who's doing an NDIS assessment), it may be covered.
Community access. If your plan includes funding for social and community participation, your transport to those activities can come from your transport budget.
Getting to work or study. If you're working towards employment goals in your plan, transport to work or TAFE/uni may be partially covered. This links with how your NDIS plan can support employment.
What NDIS Transport Funding Doesn't Cover
General living transport. The NDIS doesn't fund everyday travel that everyone does, like going to the supermarket, visiting friends, or running errands. Unless these trips are specifically part of a funded support activity.
Buying a car. The NDIS won't buy you a vehicle. However, if you need vehicle modifications (like hand controls or a wheelchair hoist), that may be funded as assistive technology. More on this in our assistive technology guide.
Ambulance costs. That's a health system expense.
Interstate travel. Generally not covered unless there's a very specific and approved reason.
Access Cabs and Wheelchair Accessible Transport in Adelaide
If you use a wheelchair or have mobility issues, Access Cabs is the main provider of wheelchair-accessible taxis in Adelaide. You can book through their app or by phone.
South Australia also has the SA Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS), which gives eligible people a 75% subsidy on taxi fares, up to a set limit. This is a state government program, separate from the NDIS, and you can use both.
If you're not already registered for SATSS, ask your support coordinator to help you apply. It can significantly stretch your transport budget.
Using Your Transport Budget Wisely
Your transport funding is limited, so it helps to plan how you use it. Here are some practical tips:
Batch your appointments. If you have therapy on Tuesday and a support worker visit on Wednesday, see if you can move them to the same day to save a trip.
Use the free public transport concession. Even if you mostly use taxis, the concession card can cover some trips and save your NDIS transport budget for when you really need it.
Ask your support workers to come to you. Not always possible, but many support workers will travel to your home instead of you travelling to an office.
Look into community transport. In Adelaide and regional South Australia, there are community transport services that offer affordable rides for people with disabilities and older people. Your support coordinator can tell you what's available in your area.
Keep receipts. If you're plan-managed or self-managed, you'll need receipts for transport expenses. Keep a simple log of dates, destinations, and costs.
Transport in Regional South Australia
If you live outside Adelaide, transport is a much bigger deal. Public transport options drop off quickly once you leave the metro area. In places like the Riverland, Eyre Peninsula, or Fleurieu Peninsula, there might be one bus a day, or none at all.
For regional participants, the NDIS should take your limited transport options into account when setting your transport budget. If your plan doesn't reflect the reality of where you live, that's something to raise at your plan review.
Some things that can help in regional areas:
- Community transport services (often run by local councils or charities)
- Volunteer driver programs
- Telehealth for appointments that don't need to be face-to-face
- Support workers who can drive you as part of their service
For more on what's available outside the city, see our guide on NDIS support in regional South Australia.
What to Do If Your Transport Funding Isn't Enough
It happens. You run out of transport budget months before your plan ends. Here's what you can do:
Check your other Core funding. In many plans, Core Supports funding is flexible. This means you can move money between Core categories. If you have unused funding in "Assistance with Daily Life," you may be able to use some of that for transport. Ask your support coordinator or plan manager about this.
Request a plan review. If your transport needs have genuinely changed, or if the original amount was inadequate, you can request a plan reassessment. Document why you need more, with specific examples of trips you need to make.
Look at non-NDIS options. State government programs like SATSS, community transport, and the Adelaide Metro concession are all separate from your NDIS budget. Make sure you're using everything available.
Talk to your support coordinator. They may be able to restructure how your supports are delivered to reduce transport costs. For example, grouping appointments, switching to telehealth where possible, or finding providers who travel to you.
Common Questions
Can my family member claim fuel costs for driving me? If they're a registered provider or if you're self-managing, you can reimburse travel costs at the NDIS rate (currently around $0.97 per kilometre). But you can't pay a family member as a support worker without specific NDIA approval.
Can I use my transport budget for Uber? Yes, if you're plan-managed or self-managed. NDIA-managed participants may need to use registered transport providers.
Does my plan automatically include transport? Not always. It depends on your assessment. If transport wasn't included and you need it, raise this at your next plan review.
What to Do Next
If transport is a headache in your NDIS plan, here's the simple version:
- Check what's in your plan. Look for the Transport line item under Core Supports.
- Set up your concession card if you haven't already (free or discounted Adelaide Metro travel).
- Register for SATSS if you use taxis and haven't applied.
- Talk to your support coordinator about making your transport budget go further.
If you don't have a support coordinator, or your current one isn't helping with this stuff, get in touch with us. Transport planning is a practical, everyday part of what we do.
Learn more about NIR's support coordination.
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