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Planning a break should be exciting, not confusing. If you or your family member use the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), you might be wondering how a holiday can work with your plan. Don’t worry, it’s absolutely possible! This guide will walk you through what to expect from NDIS holiday packages, how the funding works, and the steps to lock in a safe, enjoyable trip with the right support. What Does the NDIS Fund on Holidays? Think of it this way: the NDIS can fund the supports you need due to your disability, but not the generic “holiday” costs that anyone would pay. In practice, this means the NDIS generally won’t pay for flights, hotel rooms, meals, theme park tickets or other travel expenses. Those costs are considered personal and not disability-related. However, NDIS funding can cover the extra assistance you require on the trip that is reasonable and necessary for your needs. For example, if you need a support worker to come along or specialized equipment at your destination, those supports might be funded through your NDIS plan. One important nuance: Short Term Accommodation (STA) funding (often used for respite) is not meant to just pay for a vacation. STA can fund a short stay away from home when it’s tied to your disability needs, for instance, giving your carers a break or building your independence, but you can’t use STA funding for a random holiday without a disability-related purpose. So, the NDIS might fund up to 28 days of STA per year, but only if the trip meets a goal like developing skills or providing respite, not simply tourism. Common NDIS-Funded Supports During Travel So, what kinds of things will the NDIS pay for on a holiday? Here are some examples of supports that could be funded as part of your trip (provided they are directly related to your disability and goals): Support worker hours: If you need help with personal care, mobility, or accessing the community while traveling, you can use Core Supports funding to have a support worker assist you on the trip. The NDIS will generally cover their time working with you (though not their own flights or meals, which you’d have to cover separately). Essential equipment hire: Traveling with bulky equipment can be tough, but you might arrange to hire items like a hoist, shower chair, or beach wheelchair at your destination. If this equipment is necessary for your daily needs, the cost could be claimed through your plan (often under Assistive Technology or Core Supports, depending on the item). Disability-related transport: If your plan includes transport funding or if you’re using a provider’s transport as part of the support, this can cover things like wheelchair-accessible transfers or vehicles during the trip. Comfy Travel’s packages use wheelchair-friendly vans for local travel. (Keep in mind, the NDIS transport allowance won’t buy you plane tickets, it’s more for day-to-day transport needs.) In summary, NDIS funding covers the support to help you travel, not the travel itself. You’ll use your own money for the standard holiday costs, while the NDIS can chip in for the extra help or gear that make the holiday possible and aligned with your support needs. Types of NDIS Holiday Packages NDIS holidays aren’t one-size-fits-all. The “best” package really depends on your goals, interests, and support needs. Here are a few types of NDIS holiday packages to consider, and who they’re best suited for: NDIS Holiday Package for Adults: These trips focus on building independence, daily living skills, or social participation for adult participants. For example, an itinerary might include learning to navigate a new city (practicing using maps or public transport), budgeting for meals, or joining group activities with peers. It’s a holiday, but also a chance to work on life skills in a fun, real-world environment. NDIS Family Holiday: This option allows a participant to travel with their family, with the necessary supports on hand. The NDIS can fund the participant’s disability supports during the family trip, while the family enjoys time together. It’s perfect if, say, parents or siblings want to share a holiday experience but also get a bit of respite because a professional support worker is there to assist the participant as needed. (Keep in mind, the NDIS won’t cover the family’s travel costs, just the supports for the person with a disability.) Supported Group Holidays: Sometimes called supported holidays (NDIS), these can be group tours where several NDIS participants travel together with qualified support staff. It’s a great way to make new friends and share experiences with people who have similar interests. Group trips often have a set itinerary (e.g. a week at the Gold Coast visiting theme parks with support staff supervising and helping), and the support ratio might be something like 1 staff for every 2 or 3 travelers, depending on needs. There are also private supported holidays, where it’s just you (or you and a companion) traveling with a dedicated support worker as a “travel buddy.” That allows a fully tailored pace and schedule. Respite Getaways (Short Term Accommodation): These are trips funded under STA for the purpose of respite or skill-building. They might look like a holiday – for example, a weekend at a cabin or a few nights in a city – but the key is they have a goal attached. Maybe it’s giving your full-time carer a break, or helping you try a new environment to build confidence. These stays usually include accommodations, meals, and activities as part of the STA support (since STA typically covers a bundle of care, food, and lodging for the participant). Just remember, as mentioned earlier, STA has to meet a disability-related need (respite, independence practice, etc.), not just be a vacation. Special Interest Trips: Have a particular passion? There are supported holidays designed around special interests – for example, an accessible nature and wildlife tour, a trip to an inclusive sports event, or checking out an accessible arts festival. These trips can be fantastic

Looking for some location-specific inspiration for your next adventure? You’re in the right place. Below we highlight sample NDIS holiday packages across three popular states – New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Each offers something special. From breathtaking scenery to vibrant city life, all while keeping accessibility and your goals front and center. (And remember, these are just examples – all itineraries can be flexibly tailored to your needs.) Comfy Travel is an NDIS-registered travel provider and operates Australia-wide, so whether you fancy the mountains of NSW, the culture of Victoria, or the beaches of Queensland, we’ve got you covered with wheelchair-friendly vehicles, vetted accessible accommodations, and support staff ready to make your trip memorable and safe. New South Wales  A family including a wheelchair user enjoys the view from an accessible lookout in the Blue Mountains, NSW. New South Wales offers a bit of everything like a world-class city in Sydney, charming coastal towns, and stunning national parks. It’s an ideal state for a supported holiday because of the variety of activities that can match different NDIS goals. From practicing urban navigation to enjoying nature in a safe way, here are a few sample themes you might consider in NSW: Harbour & Culture (Sydney): Spend time in Sydney exploring Circular Quay, the Opera House area, and the beautiful harborside parks and gardens – all of which have step-free paths. You can catch an accessible ferry ride on the harbour, visit museums (many have wheelchair access and even quiet hours or sensory-friendly programs), and enjoy Sydney’s multicultural food scene. This kind of trip is great for practicing public transport skills (Sydney’s trains, buses, and ferries are largely accessible and have priority seating spaces) and for social participation, since the city is full of opportunities to engage with events and people. Blue Mountains Scenic Lookouts: If you love nature, the Blue Mountains (just west of Sydney) are a fantastic option. We design these trips to include carefully selected step-free viewing areas where you can take in epic views like the Three Sisters at Echo Point (which has wheelchair-accessible lookout points). There are also accessible boardwalks, such as the one at Katoomba Falls, where you can roll through the forest and even get up close to waterfalls safely. This theme is perfect if your goal is to build confidence outdoors or just enjoy a respite in fresh mountain air. We pace it according to your needs, including plenty of rest and photo stops! Coastal Break (Central Coast or Port Stephens): For a beachy escape not far from Sydney, consider the Central Coast or Port Stephens. These areas have lovely seaside promenades and piers that are wheelchair accessible, so you can enjoy the ocean views and maybe spot some dolphins. Some beaches in NSW even offer beach wheelchairs or have accessible viewing platforms, we’ll check availability and arrange any equipment if needed. On a coastal trip, you could work on goals like improving community access skills (visiting local markets, cafes, or taking a dip in an accessible pool) or simply use it as respite to recharge by the sea. NSW makes accessible travel easier by providing public info and tools for travelers with disabilities. Transport for NSW’s official site has a trip planner that lets you filter for accessible services, and you can find info on airport assistance, train station facilities, etc., ahead of time. We’ll help you navigate these resources, but it’s nice to know a supportive infrastructure is there. Victoria (VIC) Victoria is known for its rich cultural scene and charming regional cities. Whether you’re after a cosmopolitan Melbourne experience or a tranquil country getaway, here are some sample supported holiday themes in VIC: Melbourne City Skills Builder: Melbourne is a very accessible city with lots of trams, trains, and flat tram-stop platforms in the city center. A trip here could focus on navigating a busy urban environment. We might practice using trams and trains (with careful route planning to use the accessible tram stops and train stations with elevators), visit the National Gallery of Victoria or Melbourne Museum (both accessible and great for sensory exploration), and even catch an Aussie Rules football game or a show with accommodations in place. This theme supports goals around independent living skills (like using public transport, handling money for that famous Melbourne coffee!) and social participation (since Melbourne is full of festivals and events year-round). Great Ocean Road & Geelong Waterfront: If scenic drives and coastal vibes are more your thing, a supported road trip down the Great Ocean Road could be amazing. Picture this: rolling along a boardwalk at the Twelve Apostles viewing area (there are accessible lookout points to see those iconic rock stacks in the ocean), feeling the sea breeze at an accessible beachfront in Lorne, and then strolling the Geelong Waterfront which has flat paths along the harbor. We ensure all stops – whether it’s a lighthouse, a visitor centre, or a wildlife park – are checked for wheelchair access or otherwise suitable to your needs. This trip can be leisurely, focusing on enjoyment and respite, with lots of nature appreciation. Regional Arts & Heritage (Ballarat/Bendigo): Victoria’s regional cities like Ballarat and Bendigo offer gold-rush history and artsy attractions in a quieter setting. For example, Bendigo has the Central Deborah Gold Mine which offers accessible surface-level tours, and Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill has recently improved accessibility features (plus we can arrange for tailored experiences). These trips could involve visiting accessible museums, galleries, or even sensory-friendly exhibits. They’re great for goals around community access and expanding horizons. We also make sure to include downtime and any therapy routines you might need. For instance, if you have a daily exercise or sensory regimen, we’ll work that into the schedule. Tourism boards in Victoria understand the importance of accessibility. Victoria’s official website provides practical information for travelers with disabilities like from which attractions are wheelchair-friendly to where to hire equipment. They even highlight accessible accommodation options and inclusive events. When planning a Victorian holiday, we tap into verified resources to make sure no surprise stairs ruin the day! Queensland (QLD) Ah, sunny Queensland, famous for its beaches, rainforests, and laid-back vibe. It’s also quickly becoming known for its push towards

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