Separate the journey from the support
| Term | What to ask about |
|---|---|
| Participant transport | The transport needed to get you to your destination. |
| Provider travel | A worker travelling to or from the place where they deliver your support. |
| Travel during an activity | Worker time and transport while accompanying you during a supported outing. |
Ask for a trip breakdown
Imagine a supported visit to a community class. Ask which parts of the quote cover worker time, vehicle costs, parking or tolls, and any waiting time. Ask whether travel is shared with another person and how that affects the arrangement.
This is a checklist for discussing a quote, not a list of automatically claimable charges. What can be charged depends on the support, your funding arrangements, the agreement and current NDIS pricing rules.
Discuss access as well as cost
- How will you get into and out of the vehicle?
- Is there room for your mobility equipment?
- Do you need support inside the appointment or only for the journey?
- What happens if the appointment finishes late?
- How will you communicate a changed pickup time?
Could travel training help?
If your goal is to use public transport more confidently, travel training may be worth discussing. This can involve practising a familiar route, reading signs, planning where to change services and deciding what to do if a journey is disrupted.
Start with a trip that matters to you, such as getting to a regular activity. Explain which parts feel manageable and where you would like support. Review the plan after a practice trip rather than assuming every journey will need the same assistance.
TAKE THIS WITH YOU
Before agreeing to a journey
- Get the different charges explained separately.
- Confirm access and equipment needs.
- Agree on waiting time and changes.
- Ask which costs you pay personally and which may be claimed.