NDIS Vs Personal Cost | Comfy Travel
Making Supported Holidays and Accessible Travel Affordable, Clear, and Easy
Understanding NDIS Funding, Pricing, and Your Entitlements with Comfy Travel
At Comfy Travel, we believe that planning your supported travel should be fun and not stressful. We believe in transparency, education, and ensuring that every participant and their family maximise the benefits from their NDIS funds. We guide you every step of the way, whether you need accessible accommodation, medical travel support, respite breaks, Return to Country, supported holidays, visiting family and friends or hiring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
Below, we explain how the NDIS can fund your travel and what you need to know about costs and claiming, so you can book with confidence.
Does the NDIS Pay for Holidays and Supported Travel?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds reasonable and necessary supports that enable participants to live a whole and independent life. However, the NDIS does not fund all holiday costs; it does fund additional supports required due to your disability to participate in travel, community life, and recreation safely.
NDIS can fund:
- You can claim support worker hours for your trip (this includes personal care, daily living, supervision and community access)
- The costs of transport related to your disability (for example, hiring an accessible vehicle, taking a wheelchair taxi or travelling with a support worker)
- Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and respite care—often used for skill-building, independence, and carer breaks
- Essential equipment hires for your needs (e.g. hoists, shower chairs, mobility aids)
- Skill-building and social participation activities (if linked to your NDIS plan goals)
- Culturally appropriate supports (for example, for Return to Country trips or interpreter services)
NDIS does NOT fund:
- Standard holiday expenses not related to disability support (e.g., airfare, general accommodation, meals, sightseeing tickets, entertainment, insurance, or personal spending)
- Travel that is purely for leisure with no connection to your NDIS plan goals
At Comfy Travel, we will work closely with your support coordinator and plan manager to ensure that all eligible supports are included in your plan and documented, enabling you to claim the maximum benefits available.
Cost Breakdown: What Does Supported Travel Cost?
The cost of a supported holiday or travel service depends on factors such as destination, trip duration, support needs and activities chosen by the participant. At Comfy Travel, we give you upfront, itemised pricing and no hidden costs—so you can plan and budget with confidence.
Typical costs include:
- Accommodation: Accessible hotels, apartments, retreats, or STA-approved locations
- Transport: Flights, trains, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, ferries, or private hire vans
- Meals and drinks: Daily food, snacks, and refreshments
- Activities: Entry fees, events, excursions, local experiences
- Support worker hours: For personal care, social support, and overnight assistance
- Equipment hires: Hoists, wheelchairs, mobility aids, medical equipment
- Personal spending: Souvenirs, toiletries, shopping, travel insurance, etc.
We provide a detailed quote before you book, with each item clearly labelled as NDIS claimable or personal expense. If you are unsure about what is covered, our friendly team will be happy to help.
Example Cost Breakdown
| Cost Type | Example Items | How Paid |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
Hotel, apartment, retreat, STA |
Personal/NDIS* |
|
Transport |
Flights, trains, taxis, accessible vehicle hire |
Personal/NDIS* |
|
Support Worker Hours |
Care, supervision, social participation |
NDIS |
|
Activities |
Tours, zoo, museums, outings |
Personal |
|
Equipment Hire |
Hoist, wheelchair, shower chair |
NDIS |
|
Meals |
All food and beverages |
Personal |
|
Personal Items |
Shopping, insurance, souvenirs |
Personal |
*NDIS may fund some transport or accommodation if directly related to your disability (e.g., STA or essential accessible transport).
What is a Personal Cost?
Personal costs are expenses you pay directly—these are not covered by the NDIS, and are similar to any regular holiday or trip. Personal costs include:
- Accommodation (unless STA or justified as disability-related)
- Flights, train tickets, standard transport
- Meals and drinks
- Entry fees for attractions and tours
- Personal shopping, souvenirs, toiletries, and travel insurance
Our team gives you precise details about your expenses, including NDIS-covered costs, so there are no unexpected costs.
What Can You Claim from NDIS?
Your disability-related plan goals determine which supports you can receive funding for through the NDIS program.
- Support Worker Hours: Personal care, daily living, skill-building, community access, and overnight support
- Transport Support: The NDIS covers three types of transport services, including accessible taxis, wheelchair vehicles, and public transportation expenses related to mobility requirements, as well as occasional air or train fares for support staff.
- Equipment Hire: Any essential mobility aids or equipment required for your comfort and safety during the trip
- Skill-building activities: include programs that help develop core skills and independence, as well as social participation abilities.
- Short-Term Accommodation (STA)/Respite: NDIS may fund a set number of nights for respite, independence training, or trying new living situations
- Culturally Specific Supports: Interpreter support or cultural guidance for Return to Country or family reunification
NDIS does not cover:
- Your travel expenses, along with your accommodation costs for STA, and other fees, including meals, sightseeing, leisure activities, and family costs.
Our 7 Services and How They Relate to NDIS Funding
1. Accessible Accommodation
Book accessible hotels, apartments, or retreats—ideal for holidays, respite, or medical stays. NDIS funds support and essential equipment; accommodation is usually a personal cost unless part of STA.
2. Medical Travel Support
We arrange travel, accessible vehicles, support staff, and accommodation for your medical appointments or treatments. NDIS may fund support hours, transport (if disability-related), and equipment.
3. Respite Travel (S TA)
Short-Term Accommodation and respite packages come with complete care services, including accessible lodging, activities, and support during your stay. The NDIS offers funding support for STA accommodations for up to 28 days annually, provided your goals align with the program requirements.
4. Return to Country Trips
First Nations participants receive assistance to reconnect with their family members, culture, and ancestral lands. We create travel arrangements together with accessible support services and interpreter services when needed. NDIS funding supports your support hours, along with your transportation expenses and cultural assistance services if your plan aligns with these needs.
5. Supported Holidays
You can join either the group or customised holidays, which will offer complete support. The NDIS will cover support hours, community access costs, and equipment costs, yet you must pay for standard holiday expenses.
6. Family and Friends Visits
Comfy Travel provides support for travelling to visit relatives or close friends. NDIS funding will support required support hours, together with transportation costs, when these services contribute to your social participation or independence goals.
7. Wheelchair Vehicle Hire
Comfy Travel provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles for holiday use, appointment visits, and regular trips. NDIS offers financial support for transportation expenses under specific conditions, including disability-related needs and community engagement activities.
How Comfy Travel Helps You Achieve Your NDIS Goals
Our travel services aim to go beyond movement, as they serve to enable you to experience life in its entirety. Every holiday, respite, or journey is carefully designed to:
- Build daily living and social skills in new environments
- The program aims to help participants become part of their communities through community participation and friendship development.
- Promote independence and confidence
- Provide quality respite for carers and families
- Support personal development and new experiences
- The program enables participants to develop cultural ties and sense of belonging through Return to Country and family reunions.
- We keep a record of achieved outcomes together with skill development to serve as proof during your upcoming NDIS review and planning session.
We document all outcomes and skills gained, so you have clear evidence for your next NDIS review or planning meeting.
Frequently Asked NDIS &
Cost Questions
1. How do I maximize my NDIS funding for travel?
You should include travel, respite, community access, and social connection as essential components in your NDIS goals. Share your plans with your Support Coordinator to receive approval for support funding.
2. Can my family or carer’s costs be funded by NDIS?
The NDIS only provides funding for your supports while excluding expenses related to family members, carers, or friends.
3. Can Comfy help with quotes and documentation?
Absolutely! Our company collaborates with your plan manager or coordinator and delivers complete funding approval paperwork.
4. What if I’m not sure what’s covered?
Contact us anytime. Our staff will analyse your plan to explain available choices while supporting you through each stage of the process.
5. Are services available in regional and remote areas?
We offer our services to metropolitan, rural, and remote areas through telehealth options.
Let’s Make Your Dream Trip Happen
The team at Comfy Travel provides accessible accommodations and medical travel alongside supported holidays and STA and family visit opportunities to all customers regardless of their support requirements. Our team is here to guide you through the NDIS procedures and help you create your ideal vacation, allowing you to experience the joys of life.
Contact us now for a complimentary consultation or a no-obligation quote assessment. Your journey toward freedom begins from this moment forward.