What we cover in this article:
- What transport costs will the NDIS pay for?
- The difference between general and specialised transport funding
- Will the NDIS fund driving lessons?
- Will the NDIS fund taxi or Uber trips?
- Will the NDIS fund travel training?
- Will the NDIS fund car modifications?
- Will the NDIS fund accessible car hire?
- Does the NDIS fund petrol?
- How can Plan Hero help me?
Understanding how the NDIS funds transport can be confusing (like most things NDIS :).
We speak to Participants and their families every week who tell us this part of their plan is the hardest to make sense of.
At Plan Hero, we help you understand:
- what your NDIS plan can fund and
- how transport supports fit in.
We don’t approve or deny funding — the NDIS sets those rules — but we make sure you know what’s possible so you can use your funding with confidence.
This guide breaks down how transport funding works, what’s generally covered, and what isn’t.
What transport costs does the NDIS pay for?
Transport funding sits under the Core Support category. It covers two main areas:
- General Transport – regular payments to help Participants who can’t use public transport because of their disability.
- Specialised Transport – transport provided by a support worker or service provider to help you access community, work, or educational activities.
Your plan might include a Transport Allowance, or transport might be claimed as part of Support Worker hours when the worker drives you to an activity.
The right option depends on your disability needs, your goals, and whether you travel independently or with support.
General Transport
General transport funding is usually for Participants who need help to travel independently.
The NDIS may pay regular funding directly to you (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly), which you can use to pay for transport like taxis or ubers.
Generally, this type of transport funding supports:
- Getting to and from work, education, or community participation
- Medical appointments that are part of your disability supports
- Trips to access day programs or therapy sessions
The amount you receive depends on how much you use transport for disability-related needs, not everyday travel.
The NDIS states that Core – Transport funding covers:
- transport costs when a Participant “cannot use public transport independently” and
- when the transport is “required for community, social, economic, or daily living activities related to the participant’s goals.”
Specialised Transport
Specialised transport is usually provided by registered NDIS transport providers, community organisations, or disability service providers.
This can include:
- Vehicles fitted with ramps or wheelchair lifts
- Support workers driving Participants who require assistance in and out of the vehicle
- Community transport buses designed for Participants with mobility limitations
According to the NDIS Supports List, Assistance with travel or transport arrangements can include “transport for community-based activities, provider travel costs, costs associated with taxis or private transport, and travel training to build a participant’s confidence to use public transport safely and independently.”
Providers can claim these costs under the Assistance with Travel/Transport Arrangements registration group (0108).
Will the NDIS fund driving lessons?
Generally, yes — but only when the lessons are disability-related.
If you can’t learn to drive through mainstream lessons because of your disability, the NDIS may fund Specialised Driver Training.
Specialised driver training is designed for people who need:
- adaptive equipment,
- vehicle modifications, or
- training with an instructor who understands disability needs.
The NDIS describes it as a Capacity Building support that helps Participants “develop the skills required to drive a modified vehicle or to learn to drive safely with their disability.”
Standard driving lessons without any disability-related reason are generally not funded because they are considered an everyday life skill and not directly linked to disability.
Will the NDIS fund taxi or Uber trips?
Again, only when they’re part of your disability-related transport needs.
You can use your transport allowance to pay for taxis or Ubers if you can’t travel independently or access public transport because of your disability.
If your support worker travels with you or assists you before and after the trip, that time may also be claimable under Core – Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation.
NOTE: The NDIS generally does not fund everyday travel or social outings that aren’t related to your goals.
The NDIS won’t fund holiday travel, airfares, or personal vehicle costs like registration, fuel, or repairs unrelated to vehicle modifications.
Will the NDIS fund travel training?
Yes, travel training can be funded as a Capacity Building support if it helps you build independence.
The NDIS Supports List states that this includes “travel training to build a participant’s confidence and skills to use public transport safely and independently.”
This support is often delivered by an occupational therapist or community access worker and can involve practising bus or train routes, using mobility aids, or learning how to navigate stations safely.
Will the NDIS fund vehicle modifications?
Yes, vehicle modifications are a Capital support in your NDIS plan.
These are funded when a participant’s disability makes it difficult or unsafe to use a standard vehicle. Examples include:
- Hand controls or steering aids
- Wheelchair hoists or lifts
- Modified seating or access ramps
Vehicle modifications must be assessed and quoted by an Occupational Therapist or driver trained in vehicle assessments, and funding is usually approved only after NDIA review.
NOTE: Standard vehicle purchases, registration, insurance, and fuel are generally not funded.
Will the NDIS fund accessible car hire?
The NDIS may fund the short-term hire of an accessible car if it’s reasonable and necessary — for example, while your modified vehicle is being repaired or assessed.
This is considered part of maintaining everyday mobility and access, not for leisure or holidays.
Note: general car hire or standard vehicle rental for personal travel is not funded.
Will the NDIS pay for petrol?
No.
Petrol is listed in the ‘Supports that are not NDIS supports’ document as something the NDIS will not pay for.
It states that it will not pay for “petrol, diesel and gas” even when used in a participant’s own or family vehicle.
Will the NDIS pay for public transport?
Usually, no — public transport costs are considered an everyday living expense unless your disability prevents you from using public transport safely or independently.
In some cases, Participants may receive travel training or support to learn to use public transport, rather than funding for the ticket itself.
State or territory concessions, such as Companion Cards or mobility passes, are usually the first funding source for discounted public transport.
Will the NDIS fund transport to therapies or day programs?
If you’re unable to travel independently, the NDIS can fund transport to and from therapy or day programs.
This might be through:
- A support worker who drives you to the session (claimed under Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation)
- A specialised transport service
- A regular transport payment if you self-manage travel
Providers can also claim Activity Based Transport costs when they transport you as part of a support service, like community participation or therapy sessions.
Transport can be claimed for both social participation and capacity building supports, using a notional unit price of $1.00 per kilometre or agreed rate for non-labour costs.
Everyday Travel vs. Funded Transport
The NDIS funds transport that’s directly related to your disability or helps you achieve your plan goals.
It does NOT fund:
- Family transport or school drop-offs
- Holidays or leisure trips
- Vehicle registration, insurance, or tolls
- Non-disability-related travel
Everyday transport costs are considered personal expenses and are listed under Supports that are not NDIS supports.
How Plan Hero Can Help You
At Plan Hero, we know that understanding what you can spend your NDIS funding on can be the most confusing part of managing an NDIS plan.
We help our Participants understand what their funding can be spent on and how to make sure your invoices are claimed correctly under the right category. Sometimes this means we will give your provider a bit of helping hand as well.
Every Plan Hero Participant has their own dedicated Plan Manager who gets to know you and your family, providers and of course your plan.
We make the NDIS feel simpler and less stressful, freeing you to focus on the things you love.
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