Loss of in-home support under NDIS travel pricing changes will disadvantage vulnerable families

Noah’s Ark’s CEO John Forster says, “I have deep concern about the upcoming changes to NDIS travel pricing, due to come into effect on 1 July 2025. Under these changes, providers will only be able to claim up to 50% of the session rate for travel time, billed in 10-minute increments. While this may appear administratively efficient, the likely impact on families and children—particularly those with complex needs—will be profound and damaging."

The proposed change will significantly limit access to home-based, school-based, and community-delivered services. It is not reasonable because of the inevitable reduction in children receiving services in their regular daily environments, in accordance with evidence-based best practice. It will also disproportionately affect some of the most disadvantaged members of our community, including:

• Low-income households, who may lack private transport or the means to travel to centralised service hubs
• Sole parents and carers, who rely on flexible service models to manage multiple responsibilities
• Children with severe disabilities, who may find unfamiliar settings distressing or inaccessible.

For these families, the ability to receive therapy or support at home is often the only way their child can access consistent support. These are the families least able to absorb the loss of services coming to their home and their child’s childcare, kindergarten or school.

Noah’s Ark is a not-for-profit organisation that has supported children with disability and developmental delay—and their families—for more than 50 years. We provide NDIS services across Victoria, the ACT and southern NSW and work with over 2000 families every year. We work in metropolitan, regional and rural areas and have a long history of delivering services in homes, kindergartens, schools, and community settings, based on what best meets the needs of each child and family. We also work in all parts of our communities, including with families with complex needs.

Our Key Worker model is grounded in evidence-based practice, which shows that the most effective services for children are delivered in their natural environments—at home, in early learning services, and in the community. These familiar settings allow children to develop skills where they are most likely to use them, and they empower families to be active partners in their child’s development.

Providers in our area have already indicated that under the new cap, they may no longer be able to deliver these in-home and community-based services. Without adequate reimbursement for travel, families in outer suburbs, rural towns, or those with higher support needs may be left behind. This would lead to: 

• Disrupted care for families who have spent years building relationships with trusted therapists
• Loss of choice and flexibility in how and where supports are delivered
• Increased inequality, as those already facing the greatest barriers are further disadvantaged.

We respectfully urge the Board of the NDIS and the Minister for the NDIS to:

1. Reverse the decision to introduce the 50% travel cost cap
2. Restate their strong commitment to evidence-based and family-centred practice, aligned with national and international best practice
3. Directly consult with participants, families, and service providers—especially those in outer metro and regional areas – prior to considering the introduction of such changes.

The NDIS was designed to provide equitable, individualised support. It should not be introducing measures that disproportionately impact people because of where they live or the complexity of their needs.

We will continue to advocate for best practice in early childhood intervention and for children and their families to be supported where they live, learn and play.