Can My Support Worker Take Me on Holiday? Here’s What the NDIS Can Cover

You’ve been dreaming of a weekend by the beach on the Gold Coast. Or, maybe it’s a few days away in the Blue Mountains to recharge. Or, a visit to family living in Melbourne. The big question is: Can you use your NDIS funding to bring your support worker along to help?

Yes, but only under the right circumstances. What are these circumstances and how can you make your dream holiday a reality? Read on to find out! 

First Things First: Does the NDIS Pay for Holidays?

You might deserve a free holiday, but the NDIS doesn’t fund holidays themselves. That means flights, hotels, cruises, tourist experiences, and day tours are not claimable.  But here’s the good news: the NDIS can cover your disability-related supports while you’re on that holiday. This includes:

• A support worker helping you with daily living tasks
• Assistance to access the community or stay safe
• Disability-related transport
• Equipment hire for mobility or health needs

So no, the NDIS won’t pay your trip. But if you’re travelling and still need the same support you’d receive at home, that part can be funded.

Can My Support Worker Come With Me?

Yes, your support worker can accompany you on a trip if it’s linked to your disability support needs. For example:

• You need help with personal care, mobility, or medications
• You can’t safely travel without assistance
• You’re building independence or social participation as part of your plan goals

In these cases, the support worker’s time can be claimed, just like any other shift. If you usually receive 6 hours of support per day at home, those same hours can be delivered while away.

But here’s the catch: the NDIS won’t cover your support worker’s meals, hotel room, flights, or personal expenses unless there’s a clear disability-related reason. And even then, it must be pre-approved and well-documented. That means those additional costs will come out of your pocket.

Like Everything in the NDIS, Planning is Key

This isn’t something you can decide last minute. To get NDIS support while away:

• Talk to your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager early
  Make sure your NDIS plan has enough funding in the right categories. It’s really important to make sure that you won’t use all your funding on the trip, then be left without supports for the rest of the month.
• Connect the trip to your plan goals
  If one of your NDIS goals is to build confidence, community engagement, or improve daily living skills in new environments, you can justify that a trip away directly links to achieving these goals
• Get written agreements
  Your NDIS provider should outline how support hours, travel time, and any additional costs will be billed. Transparency is key.

What Can The NDIS Cover For My Holiday?

Depending on your needs, you might also be able to claim:

• Accessible transport (if your usual taxi or modified vehicle support applies)
• Equipment hire (like hoists, adjustable beds, or shower chairs at the destination)
• Travel time for your support worker (within NDIS pricing limits and rules)

What Holiday Expenses Can’t Be Claimed

The following aren’t covered by the NDIS:

• Personal travel and holiday costs (flights, cruises, hotels)
• Meals or entertainment for you or your support worker
• Support worker’s downtime (only support time can be claimed)
• Leisure activities unrelated to your disability support needs

Can NDIS Fund a Support Worker to Travel With Me on Holiday?

Your support worker can accompany you on a holiday, and in many cases, their time can be funded through your NDIS plan. However, the support must be directly related to your disability needs, clearly linked to your NDIS goals, and carefully planned in advance. Everything should be documented and agreed upon with your provider beforehand. While the NDIS won’t cover a trip simply for leisure, if you require daily care, assistance, or supervision to travel safely, your plan can absolutely help make that holiday possible.

Ready to Travel?

If you’re dreaming of a getaway and want to do it the right way, chat to your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager. With the right planning, you can take your supports with you, and still enjoy the break you deserve.

If you’d  like help organising support for an upcoming trip, we’re here to help you make it happen. Get in touch today!