Clubmates Travel
Supported Travel Without NDIS Funding: What Are Your Options?
Posted on May 29, 2026 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 11 minutes
Not everyone who needs travel support is a NDIS participant.
Some people simply want to get away, see somewhere new and enjoy the experience without asking family to manage every detail. Others have spent years assuming travel is “too hard” because support needs, health needs or mobility challenges make ordinary bookings feel risky.
Private supported travel exists for people who can cover the cost themselves, but still need the planning, staffing and practical support to make a trip work safely.
What does supported travel mean?
Supported travel means the trip is planned around the person’s real support needs, not just the destination.
For one person, that might mean accessible accommodation, help with transfers and wheelchair-friendly transport. For another, it might mean support with communication, personal care, meals, medication, behaviour, anxiety, social interaction or fatigue.
It can also mean having someone there to manage the practical details that can make travel stressful, such as check-ins, transport changes, activity timing, busy environments, unexpected delays and daily routines.
This is what separates supported travel from standard accessible travel.
Who might benefit from private supported travel?
Private supported travel can suit people who are not using NDIS funding but still need help to travel well.
This may include older adults who are not eligible for the NDIS, adults with disability who are privately funded, people with acquired disability after illness or injury, people with intellectual disability whose family pays privately, or people who want to travel without relying on family members for every part of the trip. Others may be NDIS participants but without enough core support hours in their plan and simply want to travel without worrying about the NDIS claim being rejected.
Option 1: Travel with family or friends
For some people, travelling with family or friends is the easiest place to start. Familiar people may understand the traveller’s routines, communication style and preferences. This can be comforting, especially for shorter trips or familiar places.
The challenge is that family often becomes responsible for everything. They may be managing care, transport, meals, bookings, medication, luggage, mobility equipment, accessibility issues and unexpected changes, all while trying to enjoy the trip themselves.
This option can work well when support needs are light and the family feels confident. It can become harder when the person needs regular personal care, behaviour support, overnight assistance, mobility support or help across long days.
Option 2: Bring a regular support worker
A regular support worker may be a good option if they already know the person well and are available to travel.
This can provide consistency, especially for someone who feels more comfortable with familiar support. It may also reduce anxiety for families who know the support worker has experience with that person’s daily needs.
The important question is whether the worker is confident supporting someone in a travel environment.
Travel support is not the same as everyday support. It involves much longer days, being on the road, share accommodation, high energy activities, busy venues, unfamiliar equipment, mobility challenges, group settings, disrupted routines and multiple passengers with behaviours of concern. It also requires clear planning around staff hours, breaks, overnight support, emergencies and backup arrangements.
A familiar support worker can be valuable, but not every family member or support worker is comfortable managing those demands for several days at a time.
Option 3: Book standard accessible travel
Some travellers start by looking for accessible accommodation, wheelchair-friendly tours or mobility-friendly transport.
This may be enough if the main barrier is physical access. A person who needs ramp access, accessible bathrooms or step-free transport may be able to travel well once those details are confirmed.
But standard accessible travel may not cover the full picture.
A room can be accessible without being suitable for someone who needs personal care support. A venue can have ramp access but still be overwhelming for someone with sensory sensitivities. A tour can be mobility-friendly but still move too fast for someone who needs regular breaks, reassurance or support to understand what is happening next.
Accessible travel answers the question, “Can the person physically get there?”
Supported travel goes further and asks, “Can the person take part safely, comfortably and meaningfully once they are there?”
Option 4: Use a specialist supported travel provider
A specialist supported travel provider is often the best option when the traveller needs more than physical access.
This type of service can help with planning, bookings, transport, accommodation, activity choices, support staff, support ratios and daily routines. It also considers the person’s communication needs, mobility, confidence, behaviour, health needs, pacing, sensory needs and social support.
For families, this removes much of the guesswork. Instead of trying to work out every risk, booking and support detail alone, they can work with a team that already understands disability support in a travel setting.
For the traveller, it can open the door to experiences that may have felt too hard to organise privately.
Group supported travel or individual supported travel?
Private travellers may choose either group supported travel or individual supported travel, depending on the person.
Group supported travel can suit people who enjoy being around others, like structure and may benefit from social connection. It gives travellers the chance to meet new people, share experiences and build confidence in a supported environment.
Individual supported travel can suit people who need a quieter pace, higher support, more flexibility or a trip designed around a specific interest or destination. It can also be helpful for travellers who do not enjoy group settings or need one-on-one support to feel comfortable.
Neither option is “better”. The right choice depends on the person’s needs, personality, interests and support level.
How much does supported travel cost without NDIS funding?
For ClubMates Travel group trips, you can check pricing directly on our website.
For group trips, visit the trip page and select:
- The trip
- The support ratio
- The departure capital city
This will show the package price, including accommodation, transport, main meals, activities and support.
For custom individual trips, pricing is prepared as a personalised quote because the trip is designed around the traveller’s destination, interests and support needs, but you can select a 1:1 ratio on any of our group trips to get an indication of pricing.
Payment plans are also available, so private travellers do not need to pay the full amount upfront.
Why specialist planning makes a difference
When support needs are involved, the small details matter.
The timing of meals, the distance between activities, the type of bathroom available, the noise level of a venue, the layout of accommodation, the transport plan and the amount of downtime can all affect how well the traveller copes.
Good, supported travel planning looks at the whole person. It does not just ask where they want to go. It asks what they need to enjoy getting there.
That is where experience matters. A team that regularly supports people with disabilities while travelling is more likely to spot problems early, plan around them and adjust when needed.
Private supported travel with ClubMates Travel
ClubMates Travel supports people with disabilities to enjoy group and individual supported travel across Australia and beyond.
Private travellers are welcome. You do not need NDIS funding to speak with our team.
Whether you are planning for yourself, a loved one, or someone you support, our team can help you explore the best option based on the traveller’s interests, support needs, confidence and preferred travel style.
Ready to Experience Supported Travel?
Our inclusive group tours and supported holidays are designed for people of all abilities, with trained support, accessible travel planning and a whole lot of fun along the way.
Click below to speak to our friendly team and get started on planning your supported tour!
About the Author: Alicia Stamford
Alicia spent her childhood watching her mother struggle with accessibility whilst she attempted to travel the world in a wheelchair. She is passionate about sharing the importance of venturing into the world and getting out of your comfort zone to build resilience and independence. When she is on tour, you will probably find her dancing with passengers on tour or in her Marketing Manager role at disability events around Australia.
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.
