Travel training NDIS: planning a route and the support you need
Travel training under the NDIS
By James Bennett · Originally published 24 January 2022
How participants can choose a useful route to practise
Pick a destination that matters to you and explain the parts of the journey where you want help. Plan the stops, ticketing, accessible facilities and what to do if the route changes. Use written, visual or other communication that works for you.
Agree how much assistance you want at each stage and how you will contact someone if needed. Practise at your pace and review the actual journey rather than using a general independence checklist.
Travelling from one place to another – or from one activity to the next – is important for everyone, whether young, old or disabled. Thankfully, under the NDIS, Transport Training supports participants in this regard, so they can build independence and learn to travel.
In this post, we will explore how NDIS participants can access travel training, why being flexible is a crucial skillset for those providing training, and how society can be accommodating, inclusive, and accessible.
Accessing travel training.
Travel training is about the skill of getting from one physical location to another. Travel training is funded through the capacity building supports of a participant’s NDIS Plan. It can also be incorporated into Community Access, within a participant’s core supports.
[Clickability update, September 2026: Training to build a skill and assistance with an actual journey can be different supports. Check the purpose, budget and restrictions in the person’s plan before selecting an item or claiming. Read current budget guidance.]
Remember: it’s more than just getting somewhere.
Why is travel more than just going to a ‘physical place’? Simply, the NDIS participant—like everyone—isn’t just going to a place, but also participating in an activity at that place. That place can sometimes cause anxiety.
For example, we might help the participant get to their dental appointment. But the check-up itself might cause anxiety, so it’s necessary to support the participant at the destination, not just in getting to it.
Let’s ensure we have a plan, way before we get to the place and before we participate in the activity at that place. Being extremely organised and flexible are two crucial skillsets for the carer or support worker.
Remember: society needs to accommodate.
It’s about the client, not about you or the public. The client does not need to ‘fit into society’. For example, if the client tugs at their shirt sleeve to release anxiety, let it go. What is the consequence? There is none, as long as there is no escalating anxiety. Focus on the things you need to focus on, forget the rest.
How can you prepare for travel training?
Let’s begin with Identification, Preparation, Communication, and Execution.
Identification
Part of the identification process is viewing the client as an individual and identifying what they require to complete the task. This includes identifying roadblocks that may slow things down. For example, are there any risks that impede that task? I am talking about the process itself and the outcomes of the process, not duty of care or dignity of risk. Those are topics for another time.
No, I am talking about the task of identifying the bus schedule at a particular bus stop and then seeing the risk of what happens when the bus is not on schedule. This can have dire consequences to a participant who is Autistic, as this can be difficult for them to comprehend or process.
You need to have identified this risk and planned accordingly. For this reason, I recommend pairing identification with preparation. An example is if the bus is due at 10am, plan as if the bus will arrive between 10am and 10:10am, and prepare the participant for bus, but ensure they’re not idle and only focusing on the bus only – play a simple game if necessary.
Capacity building 101 is build skills in small absorbable and repeatable blocks and always build on current skill strengths.
Preparation
Preparation is just as important as execution. This will include processable sized steps in something such as a social story. This will be you preparing all the points along the way to achieve the desired outcome of, for example, catching a bus to the swimming pool.
Remember to visualise the steps. This will ensure you don’t sit next to a door, because the people coming in and out may cause sensory overload in the participant.
With your preparation, always have a plan B. If things don’t go as planned, what are we going to do about it? This may be as simple as calling it a day and heading home or being available the first few times when a participant travels independently.
Communication
Remember each client is different and may require very different modes of communication. These modes of communication are often already identified in the participant’s plan, so use them.
Some participants may require pictures / social stories / sign language / communication devices and strategies, or more time to process things. This is something many carers need to be aware of as processing times vary with different people.
It is extremely important, especially during a new activity, to reflect positive, empowering words to encourage, and to use a positive tone and positive body language.
Execution
Starting slowly and simply is the way to go. A beginner’s program may be as per the below example.
Always arrive at the participant’s residence at the prescribed time; being late can upset the entire day.
Go through the social story with the participant and ready them.
Go through the social story steps – breakfast, getting dressed etc.
When you do go to the bus stop, make sure you start slowly, small, and have exit strategies.
[Clickability update, September 2026: Use these ideas selectively. An autism diagnosis does not predict how someone will respond to a delay or change; ask the person about their own needs and preferred support.]
Simple tips for NDIS Travel Training.
Try an activity such as Zumba’ – just for 5 minutes – such an activity will raise endorphins and lower cortisol, the awake/angry/anxious hormone. Now you are using positive endorphine therapies with your participant.
[Clickability update, September 2026: This fixed five-minute hormone and therapy claim is not substantiated here. Do not treat the suggested activity as a validated treatment or require it before travel. Ask what preparation the person prefers.]
Ensure the participant is engaged. This often keeps the participant focused long enough to avoid physicality or the participant falling asleep and awaking disorientated and agitated at the other end of their journey.
In more advanced travel, we’ve had participants who allegedly can’t understand the concept of buying a bus ticket. Often this can be overcome with the simple use of a large handheld calculator. If you can count to ten, you can buy a ticket! Incidentally, we use this technique for participants who have previously never completed shopping.
A small note.
This is not a comprehensive guide, but a simple introduction to create a framework to get carers/parents thinking of some of the skills and the thoughts required to make something as seemingly simple as a bus trip down the road a success.
We recommend you consult your Occupational Therapist and care plans before implementing any outside ideas or concepts. Please be aware the information provided here is for information purposes only and EDC take no responsibility for actions taken by those reviewing this piece.
Clickability editorial update: September 2026
How workers can support a journey without making assumptions
Confirm the participant’s preferred route, communication and response to an unexpected change. Check practical access information before leaving, and agree a backup rather than deciding for the person when a delay occurs.
If you provide support work during a journey, describe the actual assistance in the agreement. Keep that separate from a specialist training program and check which service you are qualified and funded to deliver.
Is travel training the same as transport assistance?
No. A program to build travel skills and assistance on a journey can serve different purposes. Check the actual support and plan. Official guidance
Must every participant follow the exercise advice?
No. It is not an established treatment requirement. Agree suitable preparation with the participant and seek relevant professional advice where needed.
Find support workers to discuss getting out and about
Tell Clickability where you want to go and what assistance you need. Compare reviewed and rated support-work profiles and ask about relevant experience.
