How Does NDIS Transport Funding Work?

Every NDIS plan has 4 support budgets: Core, Capacity Building, Capital and Recurring. The NDIA says recurring transport is the only category of recurring support. So when people talk about "recurring supports", they now mean transport funding. For how all 4 budgets fit together, see Understanding Your NDIS Plan.

You can use it to get to and from:

• work or study
• day programs
• community, social, recreational or leisure activities

It can pay for taxis, rideshare services or other private travel. The NDIA's support categories factsheet says you can use it on the form of transport that suits you best, including public transport.

Think of it like a travel card that gets topped up regularly. You decide which trips to spend it on.

Yes. The NDIA's own example is Lucy, who has $2,500 for transport in her Recurring budget. She can use it in the way that suits her best because it is flexible.

There's a catch. Lucy can't use money from her other budgets to buy transport services. If your transport funding runs low, you can't top it up from Core or Capacity Building.

The NDIA says recurring supports are for people who can't travel or use public transport independently. If you aren't eligible, you'll see a zero-dollar amount in this category in your plan.

The NDIA also considers what help your family, carers or community can reasonably give with transport.

Not sure if you could get it? Talk to your my NDIS contact. If your needs have changed, you can ask the NDIA about changing your plan.

The NDIA lists 3 recurring support levels. It "may provide" each level, so it is not automatic.

• Level 1: Community access, $1,784 a year. For people not working, studying or going to day programs who want to do more in the community.
• Level 2: Part-time work or study, $2,676 a year. For people working or studying up to 15 hours a week, going to day programs, or taking part in other social or leisure activities.
• Level 3: Work or study, $3,456 a year. For people working or studying, or both, at least 15 hours a week.

Some older guides still show lower amounts for Levels 1 and 2. Always check your own plan for your amount.

The NDIA can pay it on a regular basis into your nominated bank account. You can also claim it through the participant portal or my NDIS app.

Because it is paid to you, you pay the taxi, rideshare or transport provider yourself.

Newer plans can show a "Transport" category in Core as well. The NDIA says Core Transport is for paying a provider to transport you to an activity, or to a support from another provider. For day-to-day transport like taxis, you'll usually use Recurring Transport instead.

Older plans may show everyday transport funding in Core. Check your plan to see where yours sits. For more on categories, see NDIS support categories explained.

Depending on your plan, the NDIS may also fund:

• A support worker who drives you. If a support worker takes you to a community activity, their time and some travel costs can be claimed as activity based transport. This comes from the budget for that support, often Core, not from your transport funding. See can my NDIS funding pay for a support worker at activities.
• Provider travel. A provider can only charge travel to your plan if the rules allow it and you agreed to the costs in advance, usually in your service agreement.
• Travel training. Learning to use public transport can be funded as a Capacity Building support. The NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 lists Skill Development and Training including Public Transport Training.
• Vehicle modifications. The NDIS won't fund buying a car. It may fund changes to a car, such as hand controls or a way to carry your wheelchair.

Sam works 20 hours a week and can't use buses because of their disability. Their plan has Level 3 transport funding of $3,456 a year in Recurring. Sam uses it for rideshare trips to work.

On Saturdays, a support worker takes Sam to a sports club. If Sam's plan funds that support, the trip is claimed from Core as part of it, not from the transport funding.

A plan manager pays your provider invoices from plan-managed funding. That includes invoices with activity based transport or provider travel. A good plan manager checks these costs match your service agreement before paying.

Recurring transport is usually paid straight to you by the NDIA. Keep track of what you spend so it lasts.

At Kismet, we check transport charges on invoices against your plan and service agreement. Learn more in our complete guide to NDIS plan management.

Can NDIS transport funding pay for Uber or taxis?

Yes. The NDIA says recurring transport can pay for taxis, rideshare services and other private travel.

Will the NDIS buy me a car?

No. The NDIA says a car is a day-to-day living cost, not an NDIS support. It may fund modifications instead.

Does a support worker's travel come out of my transport funding?

Usually not. Activity based transport and provider travel are claimed from the budget for the support you receive. Check your service agreement for agreed travel costs.

Matt Clements is the Chief Revenue Officer at Kismet Healthcare. He's focused on helping people find appropriate care and improving healthcare accessibility, one appointment at a time.