🚗 Understanding NDIS Travel Charges for Therapists
Welcome to ISM's Knowledge Hub! 👋
Today, we're diving into how much NDIS therapists can charge for travel. Whether you're getting occupational therapy or psychology sessions, it's important to know how travel charges work and how you can reduce them. Let's explore what this means for your NDIS journey:
What Can NDIS Therapists Charge for Travel?
NDIS-approved capacity-building services, such as occupational and speech therapy, can charge for both labour and non-labour travel costs. Labour charges include the time therapists spend travelling to and from your location and, in some cases, the return journey if you're their last appointment. Non-labour costs might include vehicle expenses, tolls, and parking fees, but these need to be agreed upon in your service agreement. Remember, travel time is billed at the therapist’s regular rate, which can add up quickly!
Key Travel Time Limits
MMM1-3 regions (major cities and inner regional areas): Providers can claim up to 30 minutes of travel time each way.
MMM4-5 regions (rural and remote areas): Up to 60 minutes of travel can be claimed.
How to Minimise Travel Costs
Review your service agreement to understand travel-related fees and negotiate where possible.
Find a local provider to reduce travel time.
Share travel costs with other participants in your area.
Avoid being the last appointment of the day, as this might mean paying for the return trip!
Tips for Plan Management
As an NDIS Plan Management provider, ISM helps you keep track of these costs, ensuring transparency and managing your budget effectively. We work with you to identify local therapists or telehealth options that minimise your travel-related expenses.
Key Takeaways:
Be mindful of labour and non-labour travel costs in your service agreements.
Travel time can significantly increase therapy expenses, so try to reduce it with local or shared services.
ISM can assist you in managing these costs and maximising your NDIS plan.
We hope this breakdown helps you navigate NDIS travel charges more confidently. Got questions? Reach out to your ISM team—we’re here to help you every step of the way! 😊💪