Can my son's NDIS plan pay for transport to his day program?
It can, in two main ways. If your son cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty because of his disability, his plan can include transport funding, and attending a day program is one of the activities the NDIA considers when setting the amount. Separately, if the day program provider drives him, it can charge activity based transport from his core budget, as long as he has agreed to it.
NDIA, Operational Guideline: Including Specific Types of Supports in Plans, Transport
NDIA, Understand transport supports (planner guidance released under FOI 25/26-2868)
NDIA, NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26, Activity Based Transport and Provider Travel
NDIA, Transport funding (recurring supports)
NDIA, Securing the NDIS for future generations
Transport funding in the plan
The NDIA funds transport only where it is reasonable and necessary and the cost arises because of disability, since transport is an everyday cost for most people. For adults, the main test in NDIA guidance is whether the person can use public transport without substantial difficulty because of their disability. Transport funding for adults is set at one of three levels based on what the person does each week. Attending a day program sits in the middle level, alongside part-time work or study. Higher funding is possible in exceptional circumstances.
How the money is paid
Transport is funded either in the core budget or as recurring transport. Recurring transport is set as a yearly amount and can be paid regularly into the participant's nominated bank account, so check that the NDIA has the right bank details. It can also be claimed through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. The funding is for your son's own transport, such as taxi or rideshare fares. It does not cover travel for family members or carers, and it is not used to pay a provider for its own travel.
When the day program provider drives
Many day programs pick participants up or take them on outings. Under the NDIA's activity based transport rules, a provider of community participation supports can transport a participant to, from or as part of the support, at the participant's request. The worker's time is charged at the agreed hourly rate for the community participation item, and a contribution to vehicle costs, tolls and parking can be charged separately against an activity based transport item. These costs come from his core budget, so ask for them to be set out in the service agreement.
Provider travel is different
Provider travel is the worker's time and costs travelling to your son to deliver a support. It does not involve driving him anywhere, and the NDIA sets limits on how much can be claimed. If an invoice shows travel, ask whether it is provider travel or activity based transport, because they are charged differently.
If he is under 18, or the funding falls short
For children, the NDIA expects parents to meet everyday transport needs, so funding is usually considered only where the child cannot use public transport or the family car, even if modified, because of disability. For adults, the NDIS does not fund family members to drive the participant to everyday commitments. Budgets for social, economic and community participation supports are also being reduced from 1 October 2026 when a plan is reassessed or a new plan is approved, and from 1 February 2027 when a plan is renewed, which can affect day program funding. If the plan does not cover his real transport needs, ask the NDIA to change or reassess the plan and give evidence, such as a weekly timetable of trips and quotes. A support coordinator, local area coordinator or disability advocate can help.
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