Transport is the support that makes other supports possible. An appointment you cannot get to, a class you cannot reach and a job you cannot travel to are all, in practical terms, unavailable — regardless of what else is funded in your plan.
Transport support does not have to mean being driven indefinitely. For many people the more valuable version is travel training: learning a specific route on public transport, practising it with a worker until it is familiar, then doing it alone. It takes longer at the start and it is worth it — independent travel changes what is possible in a life far more than a lift does.
That might mean learning one route to work first, then extending. It might mean building confidence with ticketing, timetables and what to do when a service is cancelled. It is a legitimate and fundable goal.
Transport funding under the NDIS works differently from other supports and causes more confusion than most.
Transport funding in your Core budget is typically a recurring amount to contribute towards travel costs, often paid periodically rather than claimed per trip. The amount is usually set by reference to how much your disability limits your ability to use public transport, and whether you are working or studying.
Worker travel is separate. Where a support worker drives you or travels to you as part of delivering another support, that time and vehicle cost may be claimable against that support rather than against your transport budget.
The two are commonly confused, and it is worth confirming what your plan actually allocates before assuming a particular arrangement is affordable. We can look at your plan with you, or your support coordinator can.
Does the NDIS pay for taxis or rideshare?
Your transport funding can generally be used towards them. Whether it stretches far enough depends on your allocation and how often you travel. Some states also run taxi subsidy schemes that operate separately from the NDIS and are worth checking.
Can I use my transport funding for petrol?
Transport funding is intended to contribute to travel costs associated with your disability, which can include running a vehicle. It is not intended to cover general vehicle expenses.
What if I need someone with me for the whole outing?
That is community access support rather than transport alone, and is funded from a different part of your Core budget. See our community access page.
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