Holidays
![Woman goes on supported holiday](https://lifely.org.au/wp-content/uploads/iStock-959523414-1.jpg)
Dreaming of a weekend away, a group getaway or an overseas adventure? We can support you to travel far and wide.
Start planning your journey with your coordinator today!
What are supported holidays?
It’s a truth globally acknowledged that Aussies love to travel!
As a nation, we enjoy a break from our daily routine. We relish discovering new places and the thrill of experiencing different communities. Taking a holiday is even beneficial for our health and mental wellbeing. But when you live with a disability finding a supported holiday that offers barrier-free travel can be challenging.
We understand how limiting this can feel, which is why we offer a wide range of supported holidays, including solo travel, group getaways and custom adventures.
Solo and one-on-one travel
So, you’ve got the travel bug. Your coordinator can support you to plan your dream vacation from start to finish, helping with tasks such as:
- Holiday planning
- Budgeting, using NDIS funding or your own money
- Booking accommodation and transport
- Organising one-on-one supports
Do you need one-on-one support to travel? In some cases, you can travel with a community facilitator, who can help you with tasks such as:
- Personal care
- Daily living tasks
- Holiday routines
- Budgeting while away
- Overnight support
- Mealtimes
- Transport
- Socialising
- Mobility assistance
Check out our tips for accessible travel in Australia for 2024.
Supported group getaways and camps
We bring travellers living with a disability together from across the region to discover new destinations and a tiny part of themselves along the way.
For travellers keen to make new friends, we organise regular small group adventures and camps to popular destinations both in Victoria and interstate.
Sometimes we plan trips in advance, knowing they’ll be snapped up straight away. On other occasions, we can also offer custom holidays for groups of friends or recruit like-minded people to join you on a trip somewhere special.
We sort out the stressful stuff like accommodation, transport and paperwork leaving you with once in a lifetime travel experiences you wouldn’t be able to book on your own.
Our team uses their knowledge and experience throughout your trip to ensure you have all the support you need to have a great time.
With almost 40 years of experience making great group getaways happen, you can trust us to organise an unforgettable vacation.
*Our pre-planned camps and getaways are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using NDIS funds for a supported holiday
A common question is whether you can use your NDIS funding to take a supported holiday. And the answer is – sort of.
NDIS will pay for the reasonable and necessary support you need while on holiday. However, it won’t cover your general holiday expenses such as hotel accommodation, flights, visas, food and entertainment.
Some things you may be able to use your funding for are:
Travelling with a community facilitator
You may need your community facilitator (support worker) to come with you while travelling. They might not provide 24/7 support, but they’ll be away from home and may have certain expectations of what’s covered.
We can provide you with a quote and some general guidelines, so you have all the information you need before booking your holiday.
Hiring accessive technology and equipment
You may need to hire portable equipment while you’re on holiday. In some cases, you will be able can claim your hire fees. Your coordinator or plan manager can help you determine if you’re eligible.
Transport and accommodation
Suppose your transport and holiday accommodation costs are significantly higher due to your disability. In that case, you may be able to claim the difference between the cost of a standard taxi or hotel room and the accessible ones you need. The same applies if you have to hire an accessible vehicle for your holiday.