Flexibility in transport funding for NDIS participants

More flexibility and choice for participants with transport funding were announced by the Minister for the NDIS, the Hon Stuart Robert. From 1 March 2020, NDIS participants will be able to flexibly use their plan’s core support funding to claim service provider costs for transport to and from NDIS funded community-based activities.

In a Media release on February 3, 2020, by Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert, changes were announced that are designed to give greater choice and control to participants.

The main points 

• Changes will come into effect from March 1, 2020
• There will be flexibility in the covering of transport costs from core support budgets
• Some vehicle costs incurred by providers will be able to be claimed  

Flexible use of Core support funding

NDIS participants will be able to use Core supports budgets to cover service provider costs associated with transport to and from NDIS funded community-based activities.

Of the three NDIS budgets, the Core supports budget is the most flexible, however, it didn’t extend to transport-related costs. Therefore, these changes are positive ones.

“Minister Robert said transport funding in NDIS plans has always been about assisting participants to access the community and to maintain or increase their independence. This change will give participants more autonomy in their plans, and greater choice and control over the services and supports they need,” Mr Robert said”

Costs incurred by Service Providers

Some vehicle running costs incurred when offering to transport an NDIS participant to NDIS-funded community activities can be claimed by providers. These costs are in addition to the support worker’s time. The per kilometre rates for billing purposes are as follows:

• up to $0.85 per kilometre for a standard vehicle not modified for accessibility;
• up to $2.40 a kilometre for a vehicle that is modified for accessibility or a bus; and
• other forms of transport or associated costs up to the full amount, such as road tolls, parking, public transport fares.

At the time of booking a service, it is advisable for participants and providers to discuss and agree on non-labour costs.

What’s to follow?

The NDIS Price Guide and support Catalogue will be updated and published on the NDIS website in the coming weeks.

Media Release

The Minister's Media release can be read here

Tune Review

Also, NDIS-related is the Tune Review, a review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  A link to the article outlining this Review available on the IDEAS website can be found here