Charging for Travel in the NDIS Scheme: A Guide for Exercise Physiologists
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an important program that aims to provide support and services to people with disabilities in Australia. As an exercise physiologist, offering your services under the NDIS can be rewarding, but understanding the intricacies of charging for travel is essential to ensure fair compensation for your time and expenses. This article aims to guide exercise physiologists through the process of charging for travel in the NDIS scheme.
Know the NDIS Price Guide
The NDIS Price Guide is a comprehensive document that outlines the maximum prices NDIS providers can charge for their services. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the latest version of the Price Guide, as it includes specific information on travel allowances and how they can be claimed.
Eligibility for Travel Claim
Before you charge for travel, ensure that you are eligible to claim it under the NDIS scheme. Travel can be claimed when it is deemed necessary to deliver a support service to a participant, and the participant's plan includes funding for travel. As an exercise physiologist, you should discuss this aspect with your clients during their planning meetings or plan reviews.
Understanding Travel Support Categories
The NDIS Price Guide categorizes travel support into two main categories: "Short" and "Long" travel.
a. Short Travel: This refers to travel within a 30-minute duration for each one-way trip. If your travel falls within this time frame, you can claim travel expenses at the rate specified in the NDIS Price Guide.
b. Long Travel: Long travel refers to travel exceeding 30 minutes for each one-way trip. In such cases, you will be entitled to claim travel expenses at an hourly rate for the time spent on travel.
Travel Costs that Can Be Claimed
When charging for travel under the NDIS scheme, you can claim the following travel-related expenses:
a. Mileage: If you use your personal vehicle for travel, you can claim a per-kilometer rate, as specified in the NDIS Price Guide, to cover fuel and maintenance costs.
b. Public Transport: If you use public transport, you can claim the cost of your ticket or fare for the journey.
c. Taxis or Rideshares: When using taxis or rideshare services, you can claim the full cost of the journey, including any additional fees.
d. Travel Time: For long travel, you can claim the hourly rate specified in the NDIS Price Guide for the time spent on the journey.
Record Keeping
Accurate record-keeping is vital when charging for travel under the NDIS scheme. Keep detailed records of your travel expenses, including receipts, invoices, and any supporting documentation. This will ensure you can easily substantiate your claims if required.
Discuss Travel Charges with Participants
It is essential to maintain transparent communication with NDIS participants regarding travel charges. Discuss the travel options available, the mode of transportation, and any associated costs during your initial consultation or service agreement.
Here’s an Example
Let's consider the example of Sarah, an exercise physiologist registered as an NDIS provider. She offers personalized exercise therapy sessions to NDIS participants with mobility challenges in the local area. In this example, Sarah was only attending one home visit, then was returning to their clinic.
Familiarizing with the NDIS Price Guide:
Before starting her service provision, Sarah familiarizes herself with the latest NDIS Price Guide. She pays particular attention to the section on travel allowances, as this will determine how she can charge for travel when delivering services to her NDIS participants.
Eligibility for Travel Claim:
Sarah communicates with her potential clients during the initial consultation to determine their eligibility for travel claim under the NDIS scheme. One of her potential clients, Alex, has "Improved Daily Living" and "Improved Health and Wellbeing" support categories in his NDIS plan, which includes funding for travel expenses when necessary for his support services.
Understanding Travel Support Categories:
Sarah knows that travel support in the NDIS Price Guide is categorized into "Short" and "Long" travel:
Short Travel: Travel within a 30-minute duration for each one-way trip.
Long Travel: Travel exceeding 30 minutes for each one-way trip.
Travel Costs that Can Be Claimed:
Sarah plans to provide home-based exercise therapy sessions for Alex, who lives 15 kilometers away from her practice. She calculates the following travel expenses:
Mileage: Sarah will use her personal vehicle to travel to Alex's home. The NDIS Price Guide specifies a reimbursement rate of $0.85 per kilometer for travel by car. The round trip from her practice to Alex's home and back is 30 kilometers. So, Sarah can claim a total of $0.85 x 30 km = $25.50 for mileage expenses.
Time: It took Sarah 15 minutes to drive to Alex’s house. Then it took 15 minutes to travel back to the clinic. Using the hourly rate, Sarah can charge 30 minutes x hourly rate ($166.99) = $83.50
Total = $25.50 + $83.50 = $109