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blog published date 25/07/2025

NDIS Therapy Travel Changes 2025: New Rules Explained

The NDIS has introduced some significant changes to how therapy providers can claim for travel time, effective from 1 July 2025. As your trusted NDIS plan management specialists, My Mobile Plan Manager is here to break down exactly what these changes mean for you and your NDIS plan.

The Big Change: Therapy Providers Can Now Claim for Travel Time

What’s New:

  • Therapy providers (like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists) can now claim half their hourly rate for time spent travelling to appointments
  • This applies to the time they spend getting to and from your location

Example: If your physiotherapist normally charges $183.99 per hour for therapy, they can now claim $92.00 per hour for their travel time (that’s exactly half).

Who Does This Apply To?

Applies to: Therapy providers (physios, OTs, speech therapists, etc.)
Does NOT apply to: Disability Support Workers or other support categories

Travel Time Limits Haven’t Changed

The amount of travel time that can be claimed still depends on where you live:

  • Metro areas (MMM1-3): Maximum 30 minutes each way
  • Regional areas (MMM4-5): Maximum 60 minutes each way
  • Remote areas (MMM6-7): No time limits

MMM stands for Modified Monash Model, which is how Australia classifies geographic locations.

Other Travel Costs

What providers can still claim:

  • Tolls
  • Parking fees
  • Fuel costs

Important: These costs must be agreed upon between you and your provider beforehand.

Remote Area Benefits Stay the Same

If you live in a remote area, your providers can still claim the extra loadings:

  • Remote areas (MMM6): 40% extra
  • Very remote areas (MMM7): 50% extra

What About Invoices?

Providers must:

  • List travel time and therapy time separately on invoices
  • Not charge any gap fees
  • Not add credit card surcharges
  • Stick to NDIS price limits

Red flag: If a provider tries to charge you extra fees beyond NDIS limits, this should be reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Good news: As your plan manager, My Mobile Plan Manager will automatically check all invoices to ensure they comply with these rules and stay within NDIS price limits. We handle all the invoice processing so you don’t have to worry about these details.

What This Means for You

As an NDIS Participant:

  • Your therapy sessions won’t cost you more
  • Providers may be more willing to offer mobile services
  • You might have better access to therapy in your own home
  • If you’re using our plan management services, we’ll handle all the invoice processing and ensure compliance with these new rules

As a Plan Manager:

  • You cannot pay invoices that exceed NDIS price limits
  • Make sure invoices separate travel and therapy time clearly
  • At My Mobile Plan Manager, we automatically verify all invoices meet these requirements

As a Therapy Provider:

  • You can now claim for travel time at half your usual rate
  • This only applies within the existing time limits for your area
  • All claims must be itemised properly

Need More Information?

Official NDIS Resources:

  • Visit the NDIS Annual Pricing Review page
  • Call: 1300 311 675
  • Email: provider.support@ndis.gov.au

My Mobile Plan Manager Support:

The Bottom Line

These changes are designed to make it more sustainable for therapy providers to offer mobile services while maintaining cost controls. For participants, this could mean better access to therapy services in familiar, comfortable environments like your own home.

Remember: These changes only affect how providers can claim for their time—your NDIS plan funding and what you pay remain the same.

At My Mobile Plan Manager, we handle all the complex details of your NDIS funding so you can focus on achieving your goals. Our experienced team ensures all invoices comply with the latest NDIS rules and price limits, giving you peace of mind and more time to focus on what matters most.

Get started with our plan management services today—it’s simple, stress-free, and Australia-wide.

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Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Therapy Travel Changes

Will these travel time charges use up my NDIS funding faster?

No, the total cost to your plan should remain similar. While providers can now claim for travel time at half their hourly rate, this makes mobile therapy services more sustainable, potentially giving you better access to therapy in your preferred location. Our plan management team monitors your budget closely to ensure you’re getting maximum value from your funding.

Can my therapist charge me the full hourly rate for travel time?

No, therapists can only claim a maximum of half their therapy rate for travel time, and only within the specified time limits for your area. Any provider trying to charge more should be reported. At My Mobile Plan Manager, we automatically check all invoices to prevent overcharging.

What happens if my therapist travels longer than the allowed time limits?

Therapists cannot claim for travel time beyond the limits (30 minutes each way in metro areas, 60 minutes in regional areas). If they choose to travel further, that extra time cannot be charged to your NDIS plan. However, you and your provider can negotiate who covers any additional costs.

Do these changes apply to my support worker who helps with daily tasks?

No, these travel time claiming changes only apply to therapy providers (like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists). Support workers and other NDIS service categories are not affected by this change.

How will I know if my therapist is claiming travel time correctly on invoices?

All invoices must clearly separate travel time and therapy time as different line items. The travel time rate should be exactly half the therapy rate and within the time limits for your location. As your plan manager, we review every invoice to ensure compliance with these rules before processing payment.

Can my therapist still claim for petrol, parking, and tolls on top of the travel time?

Yes, therapists can still claim reasonable travel expenses like fuel, parking, and tolls, but these must be agreed upon between you and your provider beforehand. These are separate from the new travel time claiming rules and are considered non-labour costs.