Before you dive in: This guide will help you understand when and how NDIS Provider Travel Claims can be used. Whether you’re a participant, carer, or provider, knowing these rules ensures you get the most value from your NDIS plan and supports.

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When and How to Use the Provider Travel Claim

Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be complex. One area that often causes confusion is the use of Provider Travel Claims—when an NDIS-registered service provider charges you for time or costs of traveling to deliver your disability support. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know to make informed decisions, maximize your plan, and avoid unnecessary issues. [object Object]

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What is an NDIS Provider Travel Claim?

An NDIS Provider Travel Claim is a claim for the time and/or costs incurred by a provider to travel to, from, or between participant locations to deliver NDIS-funded supports and services. This is only allowed when the travel is necessary and directly related to the provision of a support you receive through your NDIS plan.

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Why Is It Important?

• Equitable Access: Provider travel claims allow you to access quality disability support, regardless of where you live—even in rural and remote areas.
• Provider Sustainability: Enables providers to recover reasonable transport and time costs, making it viable for them to support participants outside city centers. [object Object]
• Fair Compensation: Ensures your support workers and therapists are paid for all their work, including necessary travel.

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When Can Provider Travel Be Claimed?

Providers can only claim travel costs under specific rules set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously known as the NDIS Price Guide): [object Object]

• The support must be delivered in person at your preferred location (e.g., your home, workplace, community).
• The time/cost of travel must be agreed in advance by you and the provider. [object Object]
• The provider must be delivering a support listed in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements that allows for travel claims.
• The provider must keep clear records of travel, including date, mode of transport, duration, and the purpose of travel.

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Examples of When Travel Can Be Claimed

• An occupational therapist travels from their office to your home for an approved session.
• A support worker drives you to a community event, returning to their office afterward. [object Object]
• A physiotherapist visits a child in a remote area for ongoing therapy.

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How to Go About Claiming Provider Travel

Step 1: Discuss and Agree in Advance [object Object]

• The provider must explain their travel charging practices before starting service.
• You must be informed and agree to the estimated travel time/costs before any travel occurs. [object Object]
• Document the travel agreement in a service agreement or booking confirmation.

Step 2: Provider Delivers the Support and Incurs Travel [object Object]

• The provider travels the necessary distance in line with the plan and agreement.
• Supports are delivered in person. [object Object]

Step 3: Provider Claims for Travel

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• The provider submits a claim for their travel time and any non-labour costs (if relevant) via the NDIS myplace portal or through your plan manager.
• The claim must comply with the NDIS Price Limits and be supported by detailed records.

[object Object] Step 4: Plan Funds are Used

• The funds come from the category related to the support, not a separate “travel” budget. [object Object]
• For example, if the travel is for therapy, it comes out of the Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) budget.

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In the Context of Australian Migration

Many participants or their families are new migrants to Australia, and access to service providers may be limited due to: [object Object]

• Living in remote or regional areas
• Language barriers and cultural considerations [object Object]
• Lower provider density

Provider travel claims are crucial for migrants in outer suburbs or rural settings, allowing them to access culturally-aware and language-specific disability services they might not otherwise reach. [object Object]

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Key Benefits & Features

Benefits

• Reduces Service Inequality for people living far from provider bases. [object Object]
• Boosts Provider Network by making non-local visits economically feasible.
• Improves Access to Specialist Supports such as occupational therapy, psych support, and language-specialist providers.

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Features

• Clear Price Limits: Set annually by the NDIS.
• Up to 30 Minutes Each Way in Metropolitan Areas is generally allowed for many support categories. [object Object]
• Distance-Based for Regional/Remote: Travel can be claimed for longer distances, within fair and reasonable limits.
• Non-Labour Costs: Can include public transport, parking, tolls, or reasonable vehicle running costs.

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Common NDIS Professions and Typical Scenarios

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Common Professionals That Can Claim

• Support workers (core support, community access)
• Therapists: Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists [object Object]
• Behaviour support practitioners
• Support coordinators (in some situations)
• Nurses attending home visits [object Object]

Example Scenarios

| Scenario | Travel Claim Example | [object Object] |----------|---------------------| | Support worker visits rural participant | Claim travel time + km allowance | | Occupational therapist visits 2 participants on one trip | Shares travel costs between them (apportioning) | [object Object] | Urban area support session at participant’s home | Up to 30 mins each way may be claimed as per policy | | Allied health therapist travels by train | Labour time + train fare (non-labour cost) | | Behaviour therapist in outer regional suburb | Claims time/distance under remote travel provisions | [object Object]

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Costs Associated

• Labour Costs: Charged at the hourly rate for the support worker/therapist, up to the NDIS travel time limit.
• Non-Labour Costs: E.g., $0.97/km for vehicle travel (as per [object Object]