Working with providers
Understanding Pricing and Travel Charges
Ask for a complete explanation of prices, travel and other charges before services begin.
Prices should be clear
The provider should explain the rate and any additional charges.
You must agree to changes
A provider should discuss a price change with you before applying it.
Travel is separate
Worker travel and participant transport are different, and should be explained separately.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
The NDIS pricing schedule
Provides guidance about appropriate prices — support item names and numbers, units of service, national and remote prices, claim types, and travel and cancellation information. It is updated periodically, so always check the current version.
Price limits and funding management
For NDIA managed and plan managed supports, registered providers must follow the applicable pricing and claiming rules. Self managed participants can generally negotiate their own prices and may agree to pay more than the guidance.
Paying more does not give you more funding
A higher price does not increase your plan. It usually means fewer hours of support.
Provider travel
Travel by a worker to reach where support will be delivered. Depending on the support and rules, a provider may propose charges for worker travel time, vehicle costs, tolls, parking, public transport, or other permitted non-labour costs.
Ask where travel is calculated from, how much time may be charged, whether it is shared between participants, whether kilometres, tolls or parking are charged, whether it appears separately on the invoice, and whether a closer worker could reduce it.
Participant transport
When a worker transports you during an agreed support. Confirm the charge per kilometre, whether worker support time is also charged, who pays tolls or parking, whether others travel with you, whether it is covered by your funding, and whether another option exists.
Check your invoices
The service date, hours or units, rate, support item, travel time and distance, cancellation charges, additional fees, total, and whether you actually received the support. Raise anything you do not understand or recognise.
Fair pricing
Providers should be honest and transparent about prices. You can ask them to explain a price, compare with others, negotiate where appropriate, decline a service, change providers, or report unfair pricing to the NDIS Commission.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
SCL will explain:
- Our support rates and when different rates apply
- Worker travel charges and participant transport charges
- Cancellation arrangements
- Other agreed costs
- How charges will appear on invoices
- Any proposed price changes
Price and travel arrangements are recorded in your Service Agreement or service schedule before anything is charged.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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