21 October 2026
NDIS transport funding helps pay for travel to work, study, community activities, day programs and social or recreational activities using taxis and rideshare services. It’s for NDIS participants who find it hard to use public transport because of a disability, though it won’t pay a family member or friend to drive you.
To use your funding, your allowance is deposited straight into your nominated bank account on a regular basis, or you can claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. How you pay for a trip depends on how your plan is managed.
As a registered NDIS provider, 13cabs makes travelling easy with over 10,000 vehicles and dedicated Wheelchair Accessible Taxis across Australia. If you want to get around comfortably by taxi, this guide will show you how to make the most of your funding and stretch your budget further.
Who qualifies for NDIS transport funding, and how much do you get?
You may qualify if public transport isn’t a realistic option because of your disability, with payments ranging between $1,784 and $3,456 a year. To assess eligibility, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which runs the National Disability Insurance Scheme, approves funding based on what’s reasonable and necessary. This includes looking at informal supports from your family, carers and community networks before funding recurring transport.
How much you get depends on your individual situation, structured across three NDIS transport funding levels:
- Level 1, community access ($1,784 a year): For people not working, studying or in day programs who want more community activities.
- Level 2, part-time work or study ($2,676 a year): For people doing up to 15 hours a week, going to day programs or taking part in social, recreational or leisure activities.
- Level 3, work or study ($3,456 a year): For people doing at least 15 hours a week.
If your funding falls short or your needs change, you can raise this at your next planning meeting. You can also discuss your options with your my NDIS contact, Support Coordinator or Plan Manager to make sure you get the right support.
How your NDIS travel allowance is paid and when it lands
Your NDIS travel allowance can reach you in two ways. It can be paid on a regular basis to your nominated bank account, or you can claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. Either way, the money arrives regularly across the year rather than in one big lump sum, so it’s much easier to manage your budget from month to month.
You can see your exact funding level inside your NDIS plan, which sits under the recurring supports budget, one of four support budgets. Recurring transport is the only category of recurring support, though older plans might list it under your core supports budget or simply call it a transport allowance. To avoid any surprises, use our Fare Estimate tool before booking so you can plan your rides and make your money stretch further.
Can you use NDIS transport funding for taxis and rideshare?
Yes, you can use your NDIS transport funding for both taxis and rideshare services. When taking a taxi, booking with 13cabs is a smart way to stretch your money, as fares rely on government-regulated metered rates without surge pricing on the 13cabs App or website bookings. Just keep in mind, the funding won’t cover paying a family member or friend to drive you in their own car.
Your recurring transport funding stays completely separate from other travel supports in your plan. Supports like assistive technology and vehicle modifications come out of your capital supports budget instead.
Need help learning to use public transport or learning to drive? That comes out of your capacity building supports budget. The NDIS can also pay for support workers to drive you or travel with you, and because that’s paid separately, it won’t touch your recurring transport funding.
Does the NDIS pay for a pensioner’s taxi or rideshare?
The NDIS can pay for a pensioner’s taxi or rideshare if you’re an NDIS participant. A pension on its own doesn’t include NDIS transport funding, but once you qualify as a participant, you can use your allowance for these trips.
You must apply before turning 65 to get support. If you joined before turning 65, you can stay on the scheme as you age, which is why some pensioners keep their NDIS transport funding.
My Aged Care provides transport assistance from age 65, and from age 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 13cabs works with registered My Aged Care providers across Australia to help you get to appointments, shops and social visits. You can also check if you qualify for a state taxi subsidy card as another option to save.
Match your plan management type to the simplest way to pay
The easiest way to pay for your rides depends on how your NDIS plan is set up. If you’re plan managed or NDIA managed, setting up a 13cabs NDIS Travel Account is your best option. Trips are billed weekly to your Plan Manager or the NDIS portal, and you can book by phone or online without worrying about upfront payments.
If you’re self-managed, using a 13cabs Gift Card gives you total flexibility. Simply load it to suit your budget, book by web, phone or street hail, then pay with it at the end of your trip. A state taxi subsidy card also lets you pay your Driver directly, and you’ll find more details on state subsidy cards below.
13cabs also accepts Cabcharge across its national network, covering all states and territories. The multi-use Cabcharge Community Card suits NDIS and non-NDIS clients, with weekly spend reports and automated receipts.
Setting up a Travel Account is simple and takes just four quick steps:
- Apply for your Travel Account online
- We confirm funding with your Plan Manager or the NDIA
- Sign your Service Agreement
- Receive your code and start booking trips
Support Coordinators get a quick online account setup and minimal admin once the account is active, and Plan Managers get clear trip records and weekly invoicing. This makes it simple when you choose 13cabs as your registered NDIS transport provider.
Stretch your funding further with your state taxi subsidy card
Using a state taxi subsidy card is a great way to reduce your taxi fare and make your NDIS funding last much longer. Every state and territory runs its own Taxi Subsidy Scheme under a different name, like the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) in Victoria, the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) in New South Wales or the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) in Western Australia.
Check with your state transport authority for exact discount rates. When booking online, just select “Pay your driver directly” or pay in the cab, as all 13cabs Drivers are trained to process your card on the spot.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis and Drivers trained for the job
Need a wheelchair taxi? Our Wheelchair Accessible Taxis come with a hydraulic lift or a ramp to make getting in and out effortless, and you’re welcome to bring companions or an assistance animal along. Just let us know how many companions are coming when you book, and your Driver may ask to see the animal’s identification card.
Here’s what you can expect for your peace of mind:
- Vehicles undergo regular safety checks.
- Room for more than one wheelchair at a time.
- All Drivers are trained in safe loading, unloading and transporting of passengers in a wheelchair.
- Drivers complete government-certified training.
To make travel easier, you can request a Driver you’ve travelled with before for regular trips like day programs or weekly appointments. If you’re travelling with a group, MAXI TAXIs seat up to 10 passengers, and only MAXI TAXIs and Wheelchair Accessible Taxis can accept wheelchair-accessible bookings.
To book, use the 13cabs App, our website or call 13 2227.
