Clubmates Travel
Can NDIS Funding Be Used While You're on Holiday? 2026 Guide
Posted on September 25, 2026 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 11 minutes
If you are planning a trip, one of the first questions you may have is: does NDIS pay for holidays?
The simple answer is no. The NDIS does not fund the holiday itself. But that does not necessarily mean your disability supports stop when you travel.
If you normally need support with personal care, mobility, communication, daily routines or community access, you may still need those supports while you are away. Depending on your plan and disability-related needs, some supports may continue while you travel.
This guide is written by Peter Negri, Director of ClubMates Travel, a registered NDIS provider. Peter has led ClubMates since 2006 and, since the NDIS began, has worked with invoicing claims, provider audits, Support Coordinators and Plan Managers, building practical experience in how disability supports can be delivered compliantly while a participant travels.
The key distinction is simple: the NDIS may fund eligible disability support you need while travelling, but it does not pay for your holiday.
What Can NDIS funding be used for while you are on holiday?
NDIS funding is designed to pay for disability-related supports. A holiday does not suddenly remove the need for those supports.
Someone who normally needs help showering, getting dressed, communicating, moving safely through the community or managing daily routines may still require that assistance in another location.
May be claimable from a NDIS plan | Generally, not claimable from a NDIS plan |
Disability support worker hours | Flights and airfares |
Assistance with personal care and daily living | Holiday accommodation |
Support to access the community | Cruise fares |
Disability-related mobility assistance | Meals and drinks |
Communication support | Tourist attraction tickets |
Support with disability-related daily routines | Entertainment and sightseeing |
Eligible overnight disability support | Travel insurance |
Other eligible disability supports included in the participant’s plan | Passports and visas |
Certain provider travel charges where NDIS pricing rules allow | Souvenirs and personal spending |
Eligible supports delivered while travelling | The full cost of a holiday package |
The word may be important. Having a NDIS plan does not automatically make a support claimable because it happens during a trip. The support still needs to relate to your disability, fit within your plan and meet current NDIS funding rules.
You can learn more on our NDIS Travel Support for Participants page.
How to Claim for NDIS Travel
Supported travel can make NDIS invoicing more complicated. A trip may involve private expenses, support hours, different support ratios and overnight supports.
Registered NDIS providers must meet the NDIS Practice Standards and undergo registration audits. Registration does not make a holiday NDIS funded, but it does place the provider within an audited quality and compliance framework.
This is particularly important with supported travel because the provider needs to understand the difference between a private travel expense and a disability support, and which NDIS line items are appropriate for the actual support being delivered.
At ClubMates, we separate private travel costs from disability support costs, identify appropriate NDIS line items for the supports actually delivered, and work closely with Support Coordinators and Plan Managers. This helps everyone understand what may be invoiced to the participant’s plan and what must be paid privately.
Professionals can read more about how we work with NDIS Support Coordinators and NDIS Plan Managers.
Is NDIS holiday support funded through STA or STR?
No. ClubMates does not claim its supported trips through STA.
There has been plenty of confusion around STA and STR over the past few years.
Short-term Accommodation, or STA, is intended to give participants time apart from their usual care arrangements while the people who provide significant unpaid support have a break. It is not a holiday or tourism fund.
As STA began to be used more widely across the sector, concerns grew about STA being incorrectly used to fund holidays. This created a risk that claims could be rejected and participants could later face unexpected costs.
We did not want our passengers put in that position. The commercial travel component is paid privately, while eligible disability support delivered during the trip may be claimed from the relevant Core Supports categories when the participant’s plan and funding allow.
This allows us to clearly separate the holiday from the support.
Does NDIS pay for a holiday support worker?
The NDIS does not pay for someone to have a holiday simply because a support worker travels with them. However, if a participant requires disability support in everyday life, they may continue to need that support while travelling.
A support worker might assist with personal care, mobility, communication, routines or accessing the community. In these situations, it is the disability support being delivered that may be eligible for NDIS funding, not the destination, hotel or activity.
There is also a difference between paying for support hours and paying a support worker’s holiday expenses. Flights, accommodation and meals should not simply be assumed to be NDIS funded.
Our article What Makes a Travel Support Worker Different? explains why supporting someone away from home can require specialist experience.
Do I need 'travel' or 'holiday' as a NDIS goal?
Not necessarily.
Having a goal to travel does not automatically make a holiday or a particular support NDIS funded.
At ClubMates, we look at a participant’s existing NDIS goals and help match them with a trip that may provide suitable opportunities to work towards those goals.
For example, someone with a goal around social participation may benefit from a group trip where they can meet new people and take part in shared activities. Someone working towards greater independence may have opportunities to make choices, manage parts of their daily routine and try new experiences with support nearby. A participant with communication goals may practise ordering meals, asking questions, speaking with hotel staff or expressing their preferences while away.
The important point is that the trip does not make the support fundable simply because it relates to a goal. The disability supports provided during the trip must still meet NDIS funding rules and relate to the participant’s individual needs.
Can I use NDIS support while travelling overseas?
Travelling overseas does not necessarily mean your NDIS plan stops. The NDIS generally allows participants to continue accessing their plan during an overseas grace period, usually up to six weeks.
The same funding rules continue to apply. International flights, hotels, meals, sightseeing and other ordinary holiday expenses remain private costs.
For longer overseas stays, participants should speak directly with the NDIS about how their plan may be affected.
What about NDIS funding periods?
Many new and reassessed NDIS plans now make funding available in periods rather than all at once.
It’s important to pay attention to this one because for supported travel because several days of disability support can be delivered in a relatively short period. A participant may have sufficient funding across their overall plan but not enough available within the funding period when the trip occurs.
That is another reason to involve your Plan Manager, Support Coordinator or support team early rather than assuming the required funding will be available when the trip begins.
So, how much will I need to pay out of pocket?
That will be different for every traveller.
Your private contribution will depend on things like which trip you choose, where in Australia you are joining the group, the length of the trip, accommodation, activities and other travel costs.
The percentage that may be covered through your NDIS plan can also vary depending on your individual support needs and support ratio, for example whether you are travelling with 1:1, 1:2 or another level of support.
The best place to start is with our NDIS Support Calculator. It gives you an estimate of the private travel cost and the disability support component, so you can get a clearer idea of what you may need to pay yourself before making an enquiry.
Work out your NDIS Support and Travel Costs
Click below to contact one of our friendly staff and we can answer any questions you have about travel and support costs.
About the Author: Peter Negri
Peter Negri is the Director of ClubMates Travel, where he has grown the business from OzMates into one of Australia’s leading providers of supported travel for people with disabilities.
An outdoorsman at heart, Peter loves being on the road – driving coaches and leading 4WD adventures across Australia. He brings a hands-on, practical approach to travel, along with a strong understanding of the NDIS and how to deliver supports that build confidence, independence, and real social connection.
China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
