Updated on November 24, 2025
For many NDIS participants, a short holiday is an opportunity to recharge, build confidence, try new activities, and connect with the community. But cost is a major concern. What will you spend? What can NDIS fund? How do you budget for an enjoyable, stress-free trip?
This guide is designed to help you clearly understand your holiday options as an NDIS participant.
You’ll find a clear breakdown of holiday costs, along with budgeting and money-saving tips specifically designed for NDIS participants. With good planning, a short break can be accessible and affordable.
What Can and Cannot Be Funded for Holidays with the NDIS
The NDIS does not fund holidays, but it does cover disability-related services required during the trip. Participants cover standard travel costs, such as:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Tourist activities
- Entertainment
NDIS can fund support directly related to your disability needs while travelling.
NDIS-Funded Supports During a Holiday
Support worker hours: For personal care, community access, mobility support, or skill-building activities during the trip.
Personal care supports: Morning or evening routines, showering, meal prep, etc.
Community access supports: Attending accessible activities, sightseeing, or social events.
Assistive technology (AT) hire: For example:
- Mobility scooters
- Beach wheelchairs
- Shower chairs
- Hoists
- Mobility scooters
Capacity Building activities: Such as skill development sessions, community participation, or travel training.
Short-Term Accommodation (STA): If the trip is framed as a respite break and is linked to your disability-related needs.
NDIS does NOT cover:
- Your hotel or Airbnb fees
- Your meals or snacks
- Fuel, flights, or transport fares
- Entry fees to attractions (unless tied to therapy or skill-building, which is rare)
- Support worker meals, tickets, or personal costs
Typical Short-Term Holiday Costs
To provide a practical illustration, let’s break down the common expenses associated with a 3-day holiday within Australia.
1. Transport Costs
Your travel mode affects your budget.
- Domestic flights: AUD $81–over $100 per person
- Fuel for a road trip: AUD $100-150, depending on location,
- Train or bus: AUD $35–$80 depending on distance
If you’re travelling with your support worker, you also need to factor in their transport costs, which you must cover, not the NDIS.
2. Accommodation
Accessible accommodation often ranges between:
- Budget/mid-range hotel from $126
- Accessible apartment or Airbnb: Prices aren’t fixed and depend on location.
- Holiday parks with accessible cabins: $130–$180 per night
For a 3-day trip, expect to spend $450–$750 on accommodations.
3. Support Worker Costs
Support worker rates vary based on time of day and day of the week:
- Weekday rate: $62 /hour
- Weekend rate: $75
If you need 6–8 hours of daily support, your NDIS plan may be based on this. This is usually the largest NDIS-funded component.
4. Activities and Meals
A typical day might include:
- Accessible tours or attraction fees: $20–$60
- Meals: $40–$70/day
- Snacks, drinks, misc: $10–$20/day
For 3 days:
$200–$350 for activities + meals.
5. Equipment Hire
Depending on needs:
NDIS can cover these if justified as disability-related.
How to Apply NDIS Funding to Holiday Costs
Here’s how each NDIS category can be utilised:
1. Core Supports
Used for:
- Personal care
- Mobility assistance
- Community participation
- Support worker hours
2. Capacity Building Supports
Used when the trip includes specific goals such as:
- Developing independence
- Building community access skills
- Learning to travel safely
For example, if during the trip a support worker helps the participant practise using public transport, this may be billed under Capacity Building.
3. Assistive Technology
Short-term hire of essential AT can be claimed when needed for safe mobility or daily living tasks.
4. Short-Term Accommodation (STA)
STA can be applied if the participant’s trip is goal-linked and serves as respite. For Example:
- A participant takes a supported stay in a regional location offering respite, community participation, and skill-building activities.
- NDIS covers the STA package, which includes support and accommodation.
Step-by-Step Budgeting Method for NDIS Participants
Choose Your Destination and Trip Duration
Pick a location based on:
- Accessibility
- Distance (affects transport cost)
- Available activities
- Support worker availability
If you are a first-time traveller, a shorter trip of 2–3 days might be most suitable.
List ALL Costs the NDIS will NOT Cover
These are your out-of-pocket expenses:
- Flights or fuel
- Your accommodation
- Your meals
- Support worker meals
- Tickets and entry fees
- Tourism activities
- Support worker transport
Use realistic prices from hotels, tour sites, or transport providers to estimate costs.
Holiday Costs the NDIS Can Cover
NDIS funding may cover support worker hours, personal care, community access, assistive technology hire, capacity-building activities, and Short-Term Accommodation if justified by your support needs.
Check Your NDIS Plan Balances
Regularly check your NDIS plan balance to ensure you use your funds effectively. Review your Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Assistive Technology (AT) budgets. Ensure that all requested supports are reasonable, necessary, and align with your plan goals and NDIS criteria.
If you are unsure, you can contact your support coordinator or plan manager for guidance.
Get Quotes to Build an Accurate Budget
Contact:
- Hotels for accessible rooms
- Car rentals for accessible vehicles
- AT providers
- Support workers for travel availability and rates
- Tours or attractions
Keep all quotes in a single document or spreadsheet.
Compare Accommodation Options
Accessible hotels can be more expensive. To save:
- Compare hotels, serviced apartments, and cabins.
- Check multi-night discounts
- Look for non-peak rates.
- Consider quieter locations slightly outside major tourist zones.
Select the option that strikes a balance between accessibility and affordability.
Prepare a Contingency Budget
Unexpected expenses always arise, such as:
- Extra taxi trips
- Medical supplies
- Sudden need for additional support hours
- Weather-related plan changes
Review Everything with a Support Coordinator or Plan Manager
Review your plan with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager to ensure financial health and smooth execution. Your Plan Manager will confirm funding categories, process invoices, and provide reports to prevent overspending. Your Support Coordinator oversees implementation, identifies missing supports, and ensures services align with your goals and NDIS criteria.
Finalise Itinerary and Support
A simple itinerary keeps the trip organised and stress-free. Write down:
- Support worker shift times
- Transport schedule
- Activity times
- AT delivery and pickup times
- Emergency contacts
Money-Saving Tips for an Affordable Holiday
A memorable holiday does not require a big budget; the key is planning for savings. Travel during off-peak seasons to secure cheaper accommodations and tours.
You can also reduce transport and fuel costs by choosing destinations closer to home, such as nearby towns or cities. Maximise savings by prioritising free or low-cost attractions, such as beaches, national parks, community markets, or museums that offer free entry days.
Check for discount schemes, Companion Card benefits, accessibility discounts, and free entry for support workers. Compare accommodations on Booking.com, Airbnb, and Accessible Accommodation. Always call properties to ask about accessibility, discounts, and off-season rates.
Finally, consider leveraging loyalty programs from hotels or airlines, which can offer reduced accommodation costs or provide free upgrades, further enhancing your travel value.
Safety and Accessibility Tips to note
To ensure a smooth trip, plan ahead. When planning an accessible trip, confirm accessibility with the accommodation; do not rely on website photos. Ask about ramps, lift access, bathroom modifications, or step-free paths to ensure your needs are met.
As an accommodation, pay attention to your health and pack all necessary medications and essential medical documents. Have a backup plan prepared for unexpected weather changes and share your detailed itinerary with your support worker and family for safety and coordination purposes. Finally, research and check the availability of accessible taxis or transportation options at your destination well in advance to ensure smooth travel upon arrival.
This helps avoid stressful surprises and keeps the trip comfortable and safe.
How Centre Disability Support Can Help
Planning a holiday as an NDIS participant doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
At Centre Disability Support, we help participants enjoy meaningful, safe, and well-supported travel experiences.
Our team can assist you with:
- Understanding how your NDIS plan can support holiday-related needs
- Estimating support hours and budgeting for the trip
- Matching you with skilled support workers who can travel with you
- Arranging Short-Term Accommodation (STA) for respite-style holiday breaks
- Planning accessible activities that align with your NDIS goals
- Managing support costs through plan management and coordination.
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