NDIS transport funding helps you get to the places that matter to you, like work, study, day programs and time in your community. This guide explains where transport sits in your NDIS plan, what it can pay for, the three funding levels, how it is paid, and how to make it go further.
NDIS transport funding: quick summary
- NDIS plans have 4 support budgets. Transport has its own: recurring supports.
- Recurring transport is the only category in the recurring supports budget.
- It can pay for travel to work or study, community activities, day programs and social or leisure activities.
- Taxis, rideshare services and other private travel are included.
- There are 3 funding levels, based on how much you work, study or take part in activities.
- It can be paid regularly into your bank account, or claimed through the participant portals or the my NDIS app.
- Funding from your other support budgets can’t be used to buy transport services.
Where transport sits in your NDIS plan
Every NDIS plan has 4 support budgets: core supports, capacity building supports, capital supports and recurring supports. Not everyone has funding in all 4, because each plan is based on individual needs.
Transport is the only thing in the recurring supports budget. The NDIA says recurring transport is the only category of recurring support, and you will see it in your recurring supports budget if you are eligible for this funding.
This matters because each budget follows its own rules. The NDIA’s guide to support budgets explains that you can use your transport funding in the way that suits you best, because it is flexible. However, you can’t use funding from your other support budgets to buy transport services.
What NDIS transport funding can pay for
According to the NDIA, recurring transport can pay for travel that helps you get to and from where you study or work. It can also get you to and from your community activities, day programs or other social, recreational or leisure activities.
The transport can include:
- taxis
- rideshare services
- other private travel.
The NDIS supports list also has a category called “Assistance with travel or transport arrangements”. It covers transport help for participants who cannot travel or use public transport independently, including transport for community-based activities and for attending school or other education, costs of taxis or private transport, and travel training to build your confidence and skills to use public transport safely and independently.
The three levels of recurring transport
The NDIA describes 3 levels of recurring transport funding. Each level comes with a yearly amount, which is listed on the NDIA’s recurring supports page.
| Level | The NDIA may provide it if you are |
|---|---|
| Level 1: Community access | not working, studying or going to day programs, but want to do more activities in the community |
| Level 2: Part-time work or study | working or studying part-time, or both, up to 15 hours a week; going to day programs; or taking part in other social, recreational or leisure activities |
| Level 3: Work or study | working or studying, or both, for at least 15 hours a week |
Source: NDIS, What are recurring supports (current as of 28 May 2026).
How the NDIA decides on transport funding
Transport funding is not automatic. When deciding whether it can fund recurring transport, the NDIA considers what reasonable help your family, carers or community networks can give you with the transport you need.
As with every NDIS support, the funding must be for supports the NDIS rules say it can fund, and that are reasonable and necessary for you. If you are not sure whether you can get recurring transport, the NDIA suggests talking to your my NDIS contact.
How NDIS transport funding is paid
Recurring transport can be paid by the NDIA on a regular basis into your nominated bank account. You can also claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. Your funding level is shown under the recurring supports budget in your NDIS plan.
Because transport funding is flexible within its own budget, you can choose how to spend it on your travel, as long as it stays within the total amount.
Transport funding and help from a support worker
Transport funding pays for the trip. Help to take part in your community is a different support. The NDIA says funding in the core supports category for social and community participation can be used to pay support workers to help you become more independent and engage in your community and personal interests.
So a day out might draw on two parts of your plan: transport funding for the travel, and social and community participation funding for a support worker who helps you take part. How your own plan is set up decides what you can use. If you are planning outings with community participation support, we can explain your options in plain words.
Tips to make your transport funding go further
- Know your level. Check which recurring transport level is in your plan, and what it is meant to cover.
- Plan your regular trips. Your level reflects how much you work, study, go to day programs or take part in activities.
- Ask about travel training. If you would like to use buses and trains on your own, travel training is an NDIS support that builds those skills.
- Ask for a plan implementation meeting. The NDIA offers one when your plan is approved, and you can ask for one at any time.
- Get help when unsure. Your my NDIS contact or support coordinator can explain how your funding works.
Common mistakes with NDIS transport funding
- Paying for taxis from core supports. The NDIA says funding from other budgets can’t be used to buy transport services.
- Assuming everyone gets it. The NDIA looks at what reasonable help family, carers or community networks can give before deciding.
- Mixing up the trip and the support. Transport funding covers the travel. Help to take part in an activity is a different support, such as social and community participation funding.
How to check this yourself
- What are recurring supports (NDIS, current as of 28 May 2026): what transport funding pays for, the 3 levels and how it is paid.
- Guide to NDIS support budgets (NDIS, current as of 9 June 2026): the 4 budgets and how flexible funding works.
- What are NDIS supports (NDIS, current as of 24 August 2026), with the list of supports that are NDIS supports.
- What are core supports (NDIS, current as of 7 May 2026).
Your own plan is the final word: open it in the my NDIS app or portal and look for the recurring supports budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is NDIS transport funding?
It is funding in your NDIS plan to help you travel to and from work, study, day programs and community, social or leisure activities. It sits in a separate budget called recurring supports.
Can NDIS transport funding pay for taxis or rideshare?
Yes. The NDIA lists taxis, rideshare services and other private travel as ways recurring transport can be used.
Can I use my core supports to pay for transport?
No. The NDIA’s guide to support budgets says funding from your other support budgets can’t be used to buy transport services.
How is NDIS transport funding paid?
It can be paid regularly into your nominated bank account, or you can claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app.
How does the NDIA decide my transport level?
The levels are based on whether you work, study, go to day programs or take part in community activities, and for how many hours. The NDIA also considers what reasonable help your family, carers or community networks can give.
What is travel training?
Travel training is an NDIS support that builds your confidence and skills to use public transport safely and independently.
Who can help me understand my NDIS transport funding?
Your my NDIS contact can explain it, and the NDIA offers a plan implementation meeting when your plan is approved. You can also call the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
How Goaldis can help
Goaldis Community Services is a registered NDIS provider. Our travel and transport support helps you get where you need to go and build the confidence to travel on your own: buses and trains, the shops and chemist, appointments, and time with friends and family. We support people across Greater Western Sydney, Ryde and Macquarie Park, and The Hills.
Call 1300 212 035, send us a message, or ask your support coordinator to refer you.
Related reading
- Travel and transport support at Goaldis
- How NDIS plans and support budgets work
- Social and community participation
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not replace personal advice from the NDIA, your my NDIS contact or your support coordinator. It is current as at 19 October 2026 and reflects the NDIS pages listed under “How to check this yourself”, with the dates shown there. Examples are illustrative and are not an entitlement: what you can use depends on your own plan. NDIS rules and funding amounts change, so confirm anything important at ndis.gov.au.