Planning a holiday is exciting for everyone, and if you're an NDIS participant, you might be wondering how your plan can support your travel dreams.
Whether you're dreaming of a beach getaway, visiting family interstate, or exploring somewhere new, understanding what the NDIS can and can't fund for holidays will help you plan the perfect trip.
Does the NDIS fund holidays?
Let's start with the most common question: will the NDIS pay for your holiday?
The straightforward answer is that the NDIS does not fund holidays themselves.
However, this doesn't mean you can't use your NDIS funding to help make your holiday possible. The key is understanding what's covered and what's not.
The NDIS will fund supports that are directly related to your disability and considered reasonable and necessary under your plan.
This means that while the scheme won't pay for your flights, accommodation, meals, or entertainment (costs that everyone pays when they travel), it can potentially cover the disability-related supports you need while you're away.
What NDIS holiday costs can be covered?
Think about your holiday this way: the NDIS can help fund the extra costs you incur specifically because of your disability. This might include:
Support worker costs: If you need a support worker to accompany you, their time can be funded through your Core Supports budget, typically under "Assistance with Social and Community Participation." This covers their hourly rate for the support they provide during your trip.
Accessible accommodation upgrades: If you need to pay extra for an accessible room or modified accommodation due to your disability, these additional costs may be covered.
Accessible transport: The difference in cost between standard transport and accessible transport options, such as hiring a modified vehicle, may be funded.
Specialised equipment: If you need to transport disability-related equipment and incur excess baggage fees or special freight costs, these expenses might be covered.
Transport assistance: Depending on your plan, you may have access to transport funding to help you get to and from activities during your holiday.
Understanding the "$15,000 NDIS holiday" myth
You may have heard about a "$15,000 NDIS holiday" and wondered what it means. This is actually a common misconception about Short Term Accommodation (STA) funding, also known as respite funding.
STA funding is designed to cover the cost of a participant's care in another place for up to 14 days at a time.
It's intended for respite care when your usual support network is unavailable, or to help you try new experiences and build independence. While STA can provide a welcome break for both you and your carers, it's not the same as holiday funding.
The availability and amount of STA funding varies based on your individual circumstances and plan. If you think STA might be relevant to your situation, discuss it with your planner, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or support coordinator.
Planning your NDIS-supported holiday
Before you book anything
The key to a successful NDIS-supported holiday is planning ahead. Here are the essential steps to take before you start booking:
Review your plan goals: Make sure your holiday aligns with the goals in your NDIS plan. If your plan includes goals around social participation, community connection, or building independence, a holiday might support these objectives.
Check your budget: Look at your Core Supports budget to see what funding you have available. Support worker costs will typically come from this category.
Talk to your support team: Speak with your plan manager, support coordinator, or LAC early in the planning process. They can help you understand exactly what can be claimed and ensure you're not caught off guard by unexpected costs.
Calculate realistic costs: Work out how many hours of support you'll need each day and what that will cost. Remember that having around-the-clock support can quickly use up your funding, so it's important to find ways to keep costs manageable.
If you're taking a support worker
If you're planning to bring your own support worker on holiday with you, open communication is essential. Before you commit to any bookings, discuss these important details:
Sleeping arrangements: Where will your support worker stay? Will they have their own room and bathroom, or will they need to share space?
Work hours and downtime: What will their daily schedule look like? It's important to allocate some free time for your support worker, especially on longer trips, so they can rest and recharge.
Meals: Will your support worker eat with you, or will they need to arrange their own meals? Who will cover the cost of their food?
Tasks and responsibilities: Clarify what you'll need help with during the trip, including any tasks that might be different from your usual routine.
Rates and payment: Discuss how the support worker will be paid for the holiday. Rates might differ from usual fees, particularly if the trip falls over weekends, public holidays, or involves additional responsibilities.
Get it in writing: Create a service agreement or get a quote that outlines all these details. This protects both you and your support worker and prevents any surprises or awkward conversations during the trip.
Smart ways to maximise your holiday budget
Having a support worker with you 24/7 can be expensive, but there are several strategies to help you make your funding go further:
Find local support workers
If you're travelling away from home, consider connecting with support workers in your destination. This can save you the cost of paying for your regular support worker's travel, accommodation, and meals, as well as any overtime or travel time charges.
Like Family makes it easy to find experienced support workers in locations across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. You can search by location, experience, and interests, and even chat with potential support workers before your trip to make sure you'll get along.
Consider group travel
Travelling with others who also need support can help you share the costs of support workers. Many NDIS providers specialise in organising group holidays for people with disability, which can offer great value while also providing opportunities to meet new people.
Plan strategically
Think about when you'll need the most intensive support and when you might be able to manage with less. For example, you might need help getting ready in the morning and settling in at night, but feel comfortable with less support during certain daytime activities if you're with family or friends.
Travelling overseas with NDIS support
Planning an international adventure? Overseas travel with NDIS support comes with additional considerations.
If you're bringing your own support worker, you may be able to use your NDIS funding for up to six weeks abroad. However, everyone's circumstances are different, so it's crucial to discuss your plans with your plan manager or support coordinator well in advance.
If you need to hire a support worker who isn't based in Australia, you can typically still use your NDIS funding. Since they won't have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you'll likely need to pay them directly and then claim the costs back later. Keep all receipts and documentation to make the claims process smoother.
For participants with NDIA-managed funding, overseas travel can be more complex. You're required to use registered NDIS providers, which limits your options for support overseas. Some registered providers offer organised international travel experiences, so it's worth exploring these options if you have NDIA-managed funding.
Aligning your holiday with your NDIS plan
To ensure your holiday expenses can be claimed through your NDIS plan, the trip should relate to your goals. Here are some ways your holiday might connect to your plan objectives:
- Social participation goals: Reconnecting with family and friends, meeting new people, or engaging in group activities
- Community involvement: Experiencing new communities and environments
- Independence skills: Navigating travel, managing in new situations, and building confidence
- Health and wellbeing: Rest, relaxation, and mental health benefits
- Skills development: Learning to plan trips, manage budgets, or communicate in new settings
When you discuss your holiday plans with your support team, be clear about how the trip relates to your plan goals. This makes it much easier to justify the expenses and ensure smooth claiming.
Making your holiday a reality
The thought of planning an NDIS-supported holiday might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right preparation and support, it's absolutely achievable. The key is to start planning early, communicate openly with your support team, and be clear about what you need.
Remember, the goal of your NDIS plan is to help you live your best life and pursue your goals. For many people, that includes the opportunity to travel, explore new places, and create lasting memories. With careful planning and the right support, your holiday dreams can become reality.
Whether you're planning a weekend escape, a family reunion interstate, or an overseas adventure, taking the time to understand how your NDIS funding can support you makes all the difference.
Start the conversation with your support team today, and take the first step toward your next great adventure.
Need help finding support for your next trip?
At Like Family, we connect NDIS participants with experienced support workers across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Whether you need someone to accompany you on a holiday or support you in trying new experiences closer to home, we're here to help you find the right match.
Get in touch with us today to start planning your next adventure.