NDIS Transport Funding Explained: Access Community & Social Participation

Written by Ibrahim Sesay on September 12, 2025. Posted in NDIS choice and control, NDIS Guides & Resources.

Why Transport Matters

For people with disability, reliable transport is not a luxury it’s a fundamental key to independence, social connection, and well-being. It’s the bridge to healthcare appointments, employment, education, and social events. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises that lack of transport is a major barrier to participation. Consequently, it provides a range of transport support options designed to help participants get where they need to go safely and with dignity.

Key Statistic: According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), people with disability are almost three times more likely to have unmet transport needs than those without a disability. This highlights the critical importance of targeted support in this area (ABS, 2019).

NDIS Transport Supports Explained

The NDIS funds transport in several ways, depending on a participant’s individual needs and goals. Understanding these categories is the first step to accessing the right support.

1. Transport Funding (Travel Allowance)

This is a regular payment included in a participant’s Core Supports budget to help cover the costs of travel.

Purpose: For participants who cannot use public transport due to their disability.
How it Works: The funding is paid directly to the participant, not a provider, to use for taxis, rideshare services, or other private transport options.
Funding Levels: The NDIS typically allocates one of three levels based on specific criteria, including whether the participant is working, studying, or undertaking regular activities that require travel.
Important Note: This funding is intended for day-to-day travel needs, not for specialist transport like ambulances, which remain the responsibility of the health system.

2. Assistance with Travel/Transport Arrangements

This support involves a support worker assisting you with your travel needs. It is one of the most flexible and commonly used options.

How it Works: A support worker can drive you in their vehicle or accompany you on public transport to appointments, shopping, or social activities.
Skill Development: Beyond just a ride, this support can include public transport training—helping you build the skills and confidence to use buses, trains, and trams independently over time.
Funding Category: This is funded under Core Supports – Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Support Category 1_117). The cost is paid directly to the provider for the support worker’s time.

Citation: The NDIS Operational Guidelines clarify that supports should “assist a participant to travel to and/or from a community-based activity,” reinforcing its goal of fostering participation (NDIS, ‘Reasonable and Necessary Supports’).

3. Vehicle Modifications

For participants who own or frequently travel in a vehicle, modifications may be necessary.

Purpose: To adapt a vehicle so a participant can travel as a driver or passenger.
Examples: This can include wheelchair hoists, ramps, electronic driving controls, and swivel seats.
Funding Category: Funded under Capital Supports – Assistive Technology. This requires assessment by a qualified occupational therapist to ensure the modifications are appropriate and effective.

4. Community Access Programs

Many providers offer group-based activities that include transport as an integral part of the service.

How it Works: A provider organises a social or recreational outing and arranges transport to and from the activity for the group.
Benefits: This is an excellent way to build social connections, participate in the community, and access transport in a cost-effective and supported group setting.

How We Can Help with Transport at Love and Hope with No Steps

Navigating NDIS transport rules can be complex. At Love and Hope with No Steps, we are committed to helping you unlock your mobility and independence. Our services are designed to provide practical solutions tailored to your plan and goals.

We support participants with transport by:

Providing Support Workers: Our friendly and experienced staff can drive you to appointments, social events, and community activities in a safe and comfortable manner.
Offering Skill-Building Support: We go beyond just driving. We can assist with public transport training, helping you learn routes, plan journeys, and build the confidence to travel more independently.
Facilitating Group Outings: Our community access programs often include transport, making it easy to join social groups and explore your local area with peers.
Providing Plan Support: We can help you understand your transport funding and, if needed, support you during plan reviews to ensure you have the appropriate level of funding for your needs.

📞 Call us on 0432 690 241 or email [email protected] to learn more about how we can support your transport needs in Sydney.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does the NDIS fund transport?
A: Yes. If your disability prevents you from using public transport, you may receive a transport allowance or funding for supported travel under ‘Assistance with Social and Community Participation’.

Q: Can a support worker drive me to appointments?
A: Absolutely. This is a common and accepted use of your Core Supports budget (category 1_117) for a support worker to transport you as part of assisting you to participate in the community.

Q: What about modifying my car?
A: Yes, the NDIS can fund vehicle modifications under Capital Supports (Assistive Technology) if they are deemed reasonable and necessary for you to travel due to your disability. An occupational therapist assessment is required.

Q: Does Love and Hope with No Steps provide transport?
A: Yes. We offer transport as a key part of our community-based supports. This includes having support workers drive you and providing training to build your independent travel skills.

Can I Choose My Own Support Workers Under the NDIS?

Written by Ibrahim Sesay on September 12, 2025. Posted in NDIS choice and control, NDIS Rights & Information / Managing Your NDIS Plan.

Introduction

At the very heart of the NDIS is a powerful principle: choice and control. This means you have the right to decide who supports you on your journey. A common and important question we hear is, “Can I choose my own support workers?”

The simple answer is yes, you can. However, the level of flexibility you have is directly influenced by how your NDIS plan is managed. This guide will explain your options under each management type and highlight the significant benefits of building your own support team.

Your Management Type: The Key to Your Choices

The way your plan is managed is the most important factor in determining your freedom to choose support workers. Here’s a breakdown of what each option means for you:

1. Self-Managed (Maximum Choice and Control)

How it works: You are the employer. You manage the funding directly and are responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, and paying your support workers.
Choice Level: Highest. You can hire almost anyone you choose, including independent support workers who are not registered with the NDIS, or even a family member or friend (if they meet certain NDIS requirements).
Your Responsibility: You handle all the administrative tasks like payroll, taxes, insurance, and record-keeping.

2. Plan-Managed (The Balanced Approach)

How it works: A Plan Management provider handles all the financial paperwork and pays your invoices on your behalf.
Choice Level: Very High. You can choose from both NDIS registered and non-registered support workers. Your Plan Manager takes care of the payments, giving you the flexibility of self-management without the administrative burden.
Your Responsibility: You find and agree on terms with the support worker, and your Plan Manager processes the payments.

3. NDIA-Managed (Agency-Managed)

How it works: The NDIA pays your providers directly from your plan.
Choice Level: More Structured. You must choose support workers who are employed by an NDIS registered provider. You cannot directly hire independent, unregistered workers.
Your Responsibility: Your choice is made from the pool of workers employed by registered providers. You still have a say in who supports you, but within that framework.

Why Choosing Your Own Support Worker Matters

Selecting your support worker is about more than just filling a roster. It’s about building a relationship that empowers you. Key benefits include:

Trust and Rapport: Support is personal. Working with someone you like and trust creates a safe and positive environment, leading to better outcomes.
Cultural Connection: You can choose a worker who shares your cultural background, language, or understands your specific life experiences.
Consistency and Reliability: Building a long-term relationship with a consistent worker provides stability and means they deeply understand your needs and goals.
Specialist Skills: You can select workers with specific expertise that matches your requirements, such as experience with complex needs, mental health, or specific therapeutic approaches.

How We Empower Your Choice at Love and Hope with No Steps

At Love and Hope with No Steps, we don’t just assign staff; we facilitate meaningful connections. We are an NDIS registered provider that truly embraces your right to choice and control.

Our process is designed to ensure you are at the center of every decision:

Personalised Matching: We take the time to understand your personality, interests, goals, and preferences. We then match you with support workers who are not just qualified, but are also a great personal fit.
Your Approval, Always: You have the final say. We introduce potential support workers and ensure you are comfortable and happy with the match before any support begins.
Trauma-Informed Approach: Our team is led by qualified social workers, meaning we prioritize your emotional safety and build relationships based on trust and respect.
Flexible and Responsive: We work with you to create schedules that fit your life, not the other way around.

Ready to find a support worker who feels like the right fit? We’re here to listen and match you with our dedicated team.

📞 Call us on 0432 690 241 for a conversation about what you’re looking for in a support worker.
✉️ Email us at [email protected] to tell us more about your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I choose my own NDIS support workers?
A: Yes, absolutely. The NDIS is built on your right to choose who provides your supports. The extent of your choice depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed.

Q: How does my plan management type affect my choice?
A:

Self-Managed: You have the most freedom and can hire almost anyone.
Plan-Managed: You have wide choice and can use both registered and unregistered workers.
NDIA-Managed: You must choose from workers employed by NDIS registered providers.

Q: Why is it important to choose my own worker?
A: A strong, positive relationship with your support worker is fundamental to achieving your goals. Choosing someone you trust, who understands you, and who has the right skills leads to more effective and empowering support.