NDIS Travel Fee Policy

Last Updated: 18/02/2025

Description 

The NDIS is committed to allowing participants to access supports in locations that best meet their needs. To ensure this can occur, there is an acknowledgement that travel-related time and cost is covered in funding agreements. To ensure the success of the schemes mission and continuing access to support, Talk Health Therapy (THT) charges travel fees to ensure the cost of wages is covered.  

THT adheres to all relevant legislative and regulatory guidelines regarding travel fees. THT ensures that all travel-related costs are charged in a manner that is consistent with current legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring transparency and fairness for all clients. 

NDIS: 

Talk Health Therapy (THT) invoices for travel-related costs according to the guidelines set forth in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. The travel fees are broken into two primary categories: 

• Labour Costs (Time): Providers can charge for the time spent travelling to and from a participant’s location. Travel charges are calculated based on the time taken for travel and the applicable hourly rate for the worker. 

• Non-Labour Costs: The costs incurred for the use of the vehicle, such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance, are billed at the applicable rate per kilometre. This applies to both provider-owned and worker-owned vehicles when used for NDIS-related travel.  

Providers are permitted to claim for provider travel travelling from their last participant to their usual place of work. This ensures that travel from the last client’s location to the provider’s place of business is appropriately compensated.  

THT has implemented two main travel policies:  

• One-Way Travel Charges: THT only charges for one-way travel, ensuring participants are only billed for the travel time or distance to reach them, rather than round-trip travel unless otherwise agreed upon. This will always be confirmed in writing.  

• Zoning: THT strives to zone participants as much as possible to limit travel time and distance. This policy aims to optimise the scheduling of appointments and reduce the overall cost of travel, benefiting both the organisation and participants.  

For families with multiple children receiving support from clinicians with non-consecutive appointments, each child will be charged travel fees as per the above.  

For families with multiple children receiving support from clinicians with consecutive appointments, THT has established the following travel policy: 

• Two siblings: Travel time will be capped at 30 minutes each way, with a maximum of 30 minutes charged for each child, plus kilometres. 

• Three or more siblings: THT will collaborate with the family to determine the most appropriate billing arrangement, with a maximum of 1 hour charged for travel between different children, plus kilometres. 

In the instance that multiple clinicians are attending an appointment for a child, or consecutive appointments for siblings, each clinician will charge travel fees as per the above.  

Clients will be notified of any travel fees through their Schedule of Support, and they will be offered clear, upfront information about how these charges are calculated. 

Invoices for travel-related costs will be issued in accordance with the NDIS Price Guide. Travel fees will be included in the client’s invoice and broken down by these categories for clarity.