Under the NDIS, provider travel is not funded separately as the NDIS view where the therapy is delivered as a choice and control issue.
As options are available in the marketplace for therapy to be delivered in a clinic environment, choosing to have therapy delivered in the home is a participant (or legal decision maker) decision
It is expected by the NDIS that location of service delivery and associated costs will be negotiated between the NDIS participant and the therapist. The NDIS does limit the amount of travel that can be claimed (except in very remote locations). Funding for travel is typically included within the overall support budget allocated to participants.
With many Participants unable to access therapy services and spending significant time on waitlists, therapists should ensure that requests for in-home therapy support is both beneficial to the client and does not have a negative flow-on effect to other clients.
When a participant cannot use public transport due to the functional impact of their disability, the Participant may have transport allowance funded separately as a reasonable and necessary support. The amount funded depends on individual circumstances, but typically, it is one of three levels. In very rare circumstances, the NDIS will contribute more to participant transport, but that is on a case-by-case basis and does not apply to most NDIS participants. If a child receives specialist disability transport to attend school, the NDIS usually pays for this through an “in kind” relationship with the state government’s education department.
Here are some key reasons for this approach:
- Integrated Funding: The NDIS aims to streamline funding by integrating travel costs into the broader support budget, which helps simplify the management of funds for participants and providers. Enabling NDIS participants to have the flexibility to choose the model that works for them within the allocated budget.
- Participant Agreement: Providers can only claim travel expenses if the participant has agreed to these costs in advance and these costs are within the approved range allowed in the NDIS price guide. This ensures that participants have control over how their funds are used and can prioritise their spending of NDIS funds.
- Reasonable and Necessary Costs: The NDIS funds travel costs deemed reasonable and necessary for the participant’s support needs. This includes a per-kilometre rate for provider travel, which is considered a fair way to cover these expenses without requiring separate funding. There are rules regarding the amount of travel that can be claimed. These amounts vary depending on the region and remoteness of where an NDIS participant lives. For example, it is reasonable to expect transport costs to be higher in Bourke than in Maitland.
- Efficiency and Accountability: The NDIS promotes efficient use of resources and accountability by including travel costs within the support budget. Providers must justify travel expenses as part of their service delivery, ensuring that funds are used effectively.
- Alternative funding options: Participants who are unable to use public transport may receive a transport allowance to help cover the cost of them attending in-clinic services. This allows therapists to provide support to more people.