Getting around is one of the most common barriers for NDIS participants. This guide explains NDIS transport funding: what the recurring supports budget is, the three funding levels, what the money can be used for and how it is paid.
What is recurring transport funding?
Every NDIS plan is organised into up to four support budgets. Recurring supports is one of them, and recurring transport is the only category in it. If you are eligible, you will see it listed in your recurring supports budget.
Recurring transport helps pay for travel to and from work or study. It can also pay for getting to community activities, day programs, and other social, recreational or leisure activities.
What are the three levels of transport funding?
The NDIS lists three levels of recurring transport funding (as published on 25 September 2026):
- Level 1, community access: $1,784 a year. For participants who are not working, studying or going to day programs, but want to do more in the community.
- Level 2, part-time work or study: $2,676 a year. For participants working or studying part-time, up to 15 hours a week, or taking part in other social, recreational or leisure activities.
- Level 3, work or study: $3,456 a year. For participants working or studying, or both, at least 15 hours a week.
How does the NDIS decide if you get it?
The NDIS considers what transport help your family, carers or community networks can reasonably give when deciding whether to fund recurring transport. If you are not sure whether you could get it, talk to your my NDIS contact.
How is transport funding paid?
The NDIS can pay recurring transport regularly into your nominated bank account, or you can claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. The NDIS says this transport can include taxis, rideshare services and other private travel.
What can’t transport funding be used for?
- It cannot be topped up from your core or capacity building budgets. Funding can be used flexibly within a budget, but not moved between budgets.
- It is for your travel. It does not usually pay for a support worker’s help during the activity itself.
- It must be spent on NDIS supports in line with your plan.
If a support worker drives you and also supports you during an appointment or activity, the time they spend supporting you is usually funded from another budget, such as core supports. The travel part and the support part are often claimed differently, so check with your provider and plan manager.
How can transport funding work alongside other supports?
Common combinations include:
- recurring transport for a weekly taxi to work, plus core supports for a worker who helps at the workplace
- recurring transport for trips to a day program, plus community participation support while you are there
- capacity building supports for travel training, so you can learn to catch a bus or train on your own
Travel training is a good example of capacity building: it builds the skills to travel independently, which can reduce how much transport help you need over time.
How does travel training work?
Travel training means learning a route with a worker until you can do it on your own. It usually starts with the worker doing the trip with you, then staying a step behind, then meeting you at the other end. Along the way you practise buying tickets, reading timetables and knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
What records should you keep?
If you self-manage, you are responsible for making sure your funding is spent in line with your plan and showing how you used it when your plan ends. Keep receipts for taxis and other travel, and a simple log of trips.
What should you ask a transport provider?
- How do you charge for travel, and is there a per-kilometre cost?
- Can the worker stay with me at the appointment?
- Can you take my wheelchair or mobility aid?
- What happens if I need to cancel a trip?
Kindora Connect offers NDIS transport support in Adelaide, and community participation support for activities once you get there. Our how to make an NDIS referral guide explains how to get started, and the NDIS plan management options guide explains who pays providers.