NDIS Guide
NDIS provider travel is one of the charges that surprises people most, especially when a therapist or support worker travels a long way to reach you. Providers can charge for travel in some cases, but there are rules about what they can claim and how it should appear on an invoice. This guide explains the two types of travel charge, how the time caps work, and how to check a travel line before it is paid. If you are plan managed, your plan manager will also check the claim. See what an NDIS plan manager does for the full role.
The two kinds of NDIS provider travel charge
Provider travel means the cost of a provider getting to you to deliver a support. The NDIS update describes two kinds of charge.
01
Travel time
The time a provider spends travelling. From 1 July 2025, therapy providers could claim half of the relevant price limit for travel time, up to the usual time caps. This applies only to therapy providers, not to disability support workers or other support providers.
02
Non-labour costs
Costs such as road tolls, parking fees and the running costs of a vehicle, for example fuel. All providers, including therapists, can claim these. They may negotiate a reasonable contribution from the participant.
With the participant’s agreement, non-labour costs could also include the cost of flights and accommodation for travel to remote or very remote areas. The NDIS explains the rules in its update on travel claiming rules, gap fees and other costs.
How the travel time caps work by location
The NDIA uses the Modified Monash Model (MMM) to classify locations by remoteness and population size, from MMM 1 (major cities) to MMM 7 (very remote). It modifies the classification of some locations so that services can be delivered in isolated areas. Therapy providers can claim travel time in both directions, up to these limits:
| Location | MMM level | Travel time cap (each way) |
|---|---|---|
| Metro areas | MMM 1 to 3 | 30 minutes |
| Regional areas | MMM 4 to 5 | 60 minutes |
| Remote and very remote | MMM 6 and 7 | No time cap |
The NDIS says the remote and very remote loadings of 40% and 50% remained unchanged. These figures were set for 2025-26, so confirm the current caps in the latest pricing schedule.
Why therapy providers claim half rate for travel time
The NDIS says therapy travel costs were draining participants’ funding faster than expected. From 1 July 2025, therapy providers could claim half of the relevant price limit for time spent travelling. As an example, it said a physiotherapist with a price limit of $183.99 an hour could claim up to $92.00 an hour for travel, up to the time cap for their location.
The aim, the NDIS said, was to encourage more efficient scheduling, set clear cost expectations and keep travel costs in proportion to the service. It does not apply to disability support workers or other support providers.
How to check a travel charge on an invoice
You do not need to calculate everything yourself. These steps catch most travel problems before an invoice is paid:
Step 1
Look for separate lines
The NDIS says travel time and therapy time should be shown separately on invoices. If they are combined, ask the provider to split them.
Step 2
Check the time against the cap
Compare the travel time with the cap for your location. If your area is regional or remote, ask the provider which location classification they used.
Step 3
Check the rate
For therapy providers, travel time should not be more than half the relevant price limit. Our guide to NDIS support item numbers shows how to look up the item and price.
Step 4
Check non-labour costs
Tolls, parking and fuel should match what you agreed. If a provider asks for a contribution, it should be reasonable and agreed with you first.
For the other details every invoice needs, see our guide to NDIS invoice requirements. If you are plan managed, your plan manager checks that claims are in line with your plan and gets your approval before submitting them. To compare how providers handle this, see our comparison of NDIS plan managers.
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Find my plan manager — submit a free inquiryPut travel costs in your service agreement
The best protection is to agree travel costs before support starts. The NDIS says a good service agreement includes the cost of the NDIS supports, including the cost of travel for your provider and any other fees or charges. Ask the provider to write down how travel will be charged, when it will be charged and how you can check it. Our guide to what an NDIS service agreement should include has a checklist.
Registered providers must not add other charges to the cost of supports, such as gap fees or credit card surcharges, and plan managers cannot pay invoices above the NDIS price limit. Our guide to what a plan manager can pay for explains why.
Provider travel is not the same as participant transport
Provider travel is the provider’s cost of getting to you. Transport funding is a separate part of your plan that helps you get around. If you are unsure which applies, read our guide to NDIS transport funding.
If a travel charge looks wrong, raise it with the provider in writing first. If it is not resolved, contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110. Our guide to an NDIS plan manager payment error explains how to handle a payment that has already gone out.
Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Provider Travel
Can NDIS providers charge for travel?
Yes, in some cases. The NDIS says all providers can claim non-labour travel costs such as tolls, parking and fuel, and therapy providers can claim travel time at half the relevant price limit, up to time caps. These rules were set for 2025-26, so check the current pricing schedule.
Do support workers charge for travel time?
The 2025 change to half-rate travel time applied only to therapy providers. It did not apply to disability support workers or other support providers. Check the current pricing schedule and your service agreement for how a particular provider charges.
How long can a provider charge for travel?
For therapy providers in 2025-26, up to 30 minutes each way in metro areas (MMM 1 to 3) and 60 minutes each way in regional areas (MMM 4 to 5). Remote and very remote travel time was not subject to caps.
Can a provider charge for fuel, tolls and parking?
Yes. The NDIS says all providers can claim non-labour travel costs such as road tolls, parking fees and vehicle running costs like fuel. They may negotiate a reasonable contribution from you, and it should be agreed before you are charged.
Should travel and support time appear separately on the invoice?
Yes. The NDIS says it is important that travel time and therapy time are shown separately on invoices. If they are not, ask the provider for a corrected invoice.
Will my plan manager pay a travel charge?
A plan manager checks that claims are in line with your plan, budget and NDIS supports, and cannot pay invoices above the NDIS price limit. If a charge looks wrong, ask them before you approve it. Compare providers in our NDIS plan manager comparison.