Getting Where You Need to Go
NDIS transport funding helps you travel to work, appointments, social activities, and community events when your disability makes using public transport difficult. It’s about maintaining your independence, staying connected, and participating fully in your community.
At Mambourin, we understand that accessible transport is essential for living the life you choose. Whether it’s getting to work, attending appointments, or connecting with friends, reliable transport makes it possible.
If you’re in Melbourne or anywhere in Australia, here’s everything you need to know about NDIS transport services.
What is NDIS Transport Funding?
NDIS transport funding provides financial support for participants who cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty due to their disability.
This funding recognises that public transport isn’t always accessible, not everyone can safely use standard transport options, and getting around is essential for work, health, education, and social connections. Transport barriers shouldn’t limit your independence.
The NDIS provides transport funding to help you access your community and achieve your goals.
What Transport Funding Covers
Your NDIS transport funding can pay for:
- Taxi and rideshare services for accessible trips, using Uber or accessible taxis when you need specific journeys.
- Specialist transport providers who offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles with trained drivers experienced in disability support.
- Community transport services that provide local transport specifically designed for people with disability.
- Public transport training to help you learn to use buses, trains, and trams independently with support.
- Vehicle modifications to make your own vehicle accessible, where appropriate for your needs.
Transport funding sits within your Core Supports budget under “Assistance with Social and Community Participation.”
What Transport Funding Doesn’t Cover
NDIS transport funding generally doesn’t include everyday vehicle running costs like petrol, insurance, registration, or maintenance. It also doesn’t cover transport for family members or support workers unless specifically included in your plan, or modifications unrelated to your disability.
If you’re already receiving Mobility Allowance from Centrelink, you’ll need to transition to NDIS transport funding when your plan starts.
NDIS Transport Funding Levels
Three Levels of Support
The NDIS provides three standard levels of transport funding based on your needs and goals.
Level 1: Community Access ($1,784 per year)
For participants who aren’t working or studying but want to enhance community participation.
This level covers social outings and recreational activities, community events and groups, visiting friends and family, shopping and personal errands, and leisure activities.
Level 1 supports staying socially connected and engaged in your community.
Level 2: Part-Time Commitments ($2,676 per year)
For participants who work or study part-time (up to 15 hours per week), attend day programs, or participate in regular social, recreational, or leisure activities.
This level covers travel to and from part-time work or study, day program attendance, regular community activities, and social and recreational outings.
Level 2 balances work or study commitments with community participation.
Level 3: Substantial Work or Study ($3,456 per year)
For participants who work or study 15+ hours per week, are actively job-seeking, and cannot use public transport due to their disability.
This level covers regular commuting to work or study, job interviews and employment services, full-time education or training attendance, and community and social activities.
Level 3 supports significant employment or education participation.
Exceptional Circumstances
Some participants may receive higher funding than Level 3 if they have additional funded supports in their plan, specifically to enable employment participation.
This is assessed case by case based on the specific barriers you face, your employment goals, additional support needs, and whether standard levels meet your requirements.
Who Needs NDIS Transport Services?
Eligibility Requirements
You may be eligible for NDIS transport funding if you’re an NDIS participant, your disability prevents use of public transport, you’re not receiving Mobility Allowance, and transport supports your goals.
You need to show you can’t safely or independently use standard public transport without substantial difficulty. Transport must help you access work, education, therapy, community activities, or social participation as outlined in your NDIS plan.
Common Situations
People who benefit from NDIS transport services include those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids that make public transport inaccessible, have cognitive disabilities affecting ability to navigate transport safely, experience anxiety or mental health conditions making public transport overwhelming, have sensory disabilities requiring additional support during travel, have physical limitations preventing safe use of standard vehicles, or live in areas with limited accessible public transport options.
Types of NDIS Transport Services
Accessible Vehicle Transport
NDIS transport providers offer various accessible vehicle options, including wheelchair-accessible vans with ramps or lifts, secure wheelchair restraints, and spacious interiors. They also provide modified vehicles with hand controls, swivel seats, or other adaptations, accessible taxis specially equipped for people with mobility aids, and community buses for group outings or regular service routes.
These vehicles ensure safe, comfortable travel regardless of mobility needs.
Door-to-Door Service
Many NDIS transport services provide comprehensive door-to-door support, including pick-up from your home, assistance getting into the vehicle, safe travel to your destination, help exiting the vehicle, and return transport when needed.
This complete service means you’re supported throughout your entire journey.
Scheduled and On-Demand Transport
You can arrange regular scheduled trips for work, study, or regular appointments, or book one-off transport for specific occasions like medical appointments, social events, or shopping trips. Most providers accommodate both planned and short-notice travel needs with flexible scheduling.
Support Worker Accompanied Transport
Sometimes you need more than just the vehicle. You need someone with you.
Transport funding can include a support worker to accompany you during travel, provide physical assistance, offer emotional support and reassurance, help with communication, and assist at your destination.
This is particularly valuable for people who need support beyond just the transport itself.
NDIS Travel & Transport Support in Melbourne
Transport Options in Melbourne
NDIS travel & transport support in Melbourne includes specialist NDIS transport companies that are registered providers offering accessible vehicles and trained drivers throughout Melbourne and its suburbs. Melbourne also has a fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis available for booking, community transport services operated by local councils and community organisations, some rideshare services offering accessible vehicle options in metropolitan Melbourne, and services that teach you to independently use Melbourne’s trains, trams, and buses.
Melbourne-Specific Considerations
While Melbourne has accessible trams and trains, not all routes and stations are fully accessible, making NDIS transport essential for many participants.
Transport needs vary between inner Melbourne, with better public transport options and outer suburbs, where accessible options are more limited. Melbourne traffic affects scheduling, so good NDIS transport providers factor in realistic travel times when planning your trips.
Melbourne’s events like AFL games, festivals, and cultural activities can impact transport availability and routing, so booking helps ensure you get where you need to go.
How to Access NDIS Transport Services
Including Transport in Your Plan
During planning meetings, discuss your transport needs with your NDIS planner or LAC. Explain where you need to travel (work, appointments, activities), how often you need transport, why public transport doesn’t work for you, and your goals that require transport support.
Provide evidence such as reports from therapists about your mobility or cognitive challenges, letters from employers or education providers, information about your local public transport accessibility, and details of community activities you want to access.
Your planner will assess which funding level suits your needs based on your work, study, and community participation goals.
Managing Your Transport Budget
Once transport funding is in your plan, you can manage it through self-management, where you arrange transport, pay providers, and claim reimbursement through the NDIS. Alternatively, plan management means your plan manager handles invoices and payments to transport providers on your behalf. With NDIA management, the NDIS pays registered providers directly for your transport services.
Most people find plan management the easiest option for transport, as the plan manager coordinates payments while you focus on booking your trips.
Booking Transport Services
Find a registered NDIS transport provider in your area, or use unregistered providers if you’re plan-managed or self-managed.
Discuss your needs with them, explaining your regular transport requirements, specific accessibility needs, preferred booking methods, and any support worker assistance needed.
Set up ongoing arrangements for regular trips like work commutes, and book individual trips for one-off appointments or outings as needed. Keep records to track your transport spending and manage your budget effectively.
Choosing the Right NDIS Transport Provider
What to Look For
When selecting from NDIS transport providers, consider their NDIS registration status. Registered providers have met quality and safety standards. If you’re NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers.
Check vehicle accessibility to ensure they have vehicles that suit your mobility needs with wheelchair access, ramps, lifts, and other features. Confirm their service area covers your location in Melbourne and the destinations you need to reach.
Look for providers whose drivers are trained in disability awareness, first aid, and respectful communication. Check reviews and ask about their punctuality record and backup plans for vehicle issues. Confirm they can accommodate both regular schedules and short-notice requests.
Ensure they offer easy booking through phone, app, or website and provide trip updates. Verify comprehensive insurance coverage and regular vehicle maintenance.
Questions to Ask Providers
Before committing to an NDIS transport provider, ask what types of vehicles they have and whether they can accommodate your specific mobility aid or support needs. Find out their service area coverage and how far in advance you need to book.
Ask what happens if the vehicle breaks down or is delayed, whether drivers are trained in disability support, and how to contact them in an emergency. Check their cancellation policy and ask if they can provide references from other NDIS participants.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of providers who can’t clearly explain their NDIS registration status, have poorly maintained or inappropriate vehicles, or don’t ask about your specific needs.
Watch out for consistently negative reviews, lack of clear communication systems, inability to provide insurance documentation, and no backup plans for issues.
Making the Most of Your Transport Budget
Planning Your Transport
Track regular trips by noting all recurring journeys like work, therapy, and regular activities to understand your baseline needs. Calculate approximate costs for your regular transport so you know if your funding level is sufficient.
Prioritise essential travel like work and medical appointments if funding is tight. Where possible, schedule multiple appointments or activities on the same day to maximise your budget.
If you can manage some trips on public transport, perhaps with training or support, save your NDIS funding for trips where you genuinely need specialist transport.
Stretching Your Funding
Some providers offer better rates for regular scheduled trips versus one-off bookings. Prices vary between providers, so get quotes from multiple options.
Local community transport services often charge less than commercial providers. If you know other NDIS participants travelling similar routes, coordinated travel might reduce costs.
Some states offer taxi subsidy schemes that can work alongside your NDIS funding.
Requesting Plan Changes
If your transport funding doesn’t meet your needs, keep detailed records showing how you’ve used your transport budget and where you’ve struggled. Document any trips you couldn’t make due to insufficient funding.
Contact your NDIS coordinator to request a plan review and discuss increasing your transport funding. Provide evidence showing how additional transport would help you achieve your NDIS goals, like maintaining employment or accessing therapy.
Public Transport Training
Building Independent Travel Skills
For some people, learning to use public transport independently is a valuable goal. NDIS transport services can include training to help you understand routes and timetables, practice journeys with a support worker until you’re confident, and learn to manage myki or other ticketing systems.
Training also covers navigating stations and stops to find the right platforms, handling challenges like missing your stop or getting lost, and staying safe while travelling.
Benefits of Travel Training
Greater independence gives you freedom to travel when and where you want. Cost savings mean that once you can use public transport, your ongoing travel costs are less than specialist transport. Building confidence through mastering public transport increases overall independence and self-assurance.
Skills transfer as abilities learned for public transport help with many other life skills. Community connection grows when you can spontaneously join activities or visit friends.
How Mambourin Supports Community Participation
At Mambourin, we provide comprehensive community participation support that often includes help accessing transport.
Our individual support services work with you to identify transport solutions that enable you to achieve your goals. Whether it’s getting to work, accessing social activities, or participating in recreational programs, we help coordinate the support you need.
We can assist by helping you understand your transport funding, connecting you with reliable NDIS transport provider options in Melbourne, coordinating transport with other support services, and advocating for appropriate transport funding in your plan.
Our School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) programs specifically support young people to develop travel training skills as they transition to adult life and employment.
Common Transport Questions
Can I use my transport funding for social outings?
Yes, absolutely. Transport funding isn’t just for essentials like medical appointments or work. It also covers social activities, recreational outings, visiting friends and family, and community participation. The key is that trips should align with your NDIS goals.
What if I need transport but don’t have it in my plan?
You can request a plan review to add transport funding. Provide evidence of your transport needs and explain how transport would help you achieve your goals. Your support coordinator can help with this process.
Can I use different providers for different trips?
Yes. You’re not locked into one provider. You might use one provider for regular work commutes and another for occasional appointments or social outings. This flexibility lets you find the best options for different situations.
What happens if my transport provider is late or doesn’t show up?
Contact the provider immediately to find out what’s happening. Good providers have backup plans and will arrange alternative transport. If this becomes a pattern, consider switching providers.
If you miss important appointments due to provider unreliability, document this for your plan manager or coordinator.
Can family members drive me using my NDIS transport funding?
Generally, no. NDIS transport funding is for registered or professional transport services, not for paying family members to drive you. However, there may be specific circumstances where this is considered, particularly in remote areas with limited services.
How do I know if I’m eligible for higher transport funding?
If standard funding levels don’t meet your needs, discuss exceptional circumstances funding with your NDIS planner. You’ll need to show how higher funding enables your employment participation or addresses specific barriers you face.
Your Mobility, Your Independence
Accessible NDIS transport is about more than getting from point A to point B. It’s about independence, opportunity, and participating fully in your community. Whether it’s maintaining employment, accessing healthcare, connecting with friends, or pursuing your interests, reliable transport makes it all possible.
If you’re in Melbourne or anywhere in Australia, understanding your transport funding options and choosing the right NDIS transport services empowers you to live life on your terms.
At Mambourin, we’re committed to supporting you to access your community and achieve your goals. Whether you need help understanding your transport funding, finding reliable providers, or coordinating transport with other supports, we’re here to help.
Contact Mambourin:
- Phone: 9731 9200
- Email: hello@mambourin.org
Learn more about our NDIS support services and how we can help you stay connected and mobile.
Your community is waiting. Let’s help you get there.