Facts in Brief

  • Rising fuel costs are not covered by NDIS pricing and are impacting staff and service delivery.
  • Interchange WA is providing a 6% per kilometre top-up (on top of Award reimbursements) to support staff and reduce disruption 
  • Essential supports will continue, with smarter planning encouraged through local travel, public transport, and short-term schedule adjustments where possible .

Responding to Rising Fuel Costs

Like many organisations and households, Interchange WA and our staff are being impacted by fuel insecurity and unprecedented increases in fuel prices. These costs are not covered under current NDIS pricing, placing additional pressure on the delivery of community-based supports. 

To help offset the financial impact on staff who use their own vehicles to deliver services, Interchange WA is introducing a temporary 6% per kilometre top-up, in addition to existing industrial Award reimbursements and the temporary fuel excise cuts that take effect on 1 April. This measure supports our staff and helps reduce the risk of service disruption for the people we support. 

Essential Supports Will Continue

I want to reassure you that essential support will continue. Our priority remains ensuring you can access the community for everyday needs such as appointments, shopping, and other essential activities. 

Planning Smarter for Flexible Supports

Across the community, many people are responding to rising fuel costs and supply risks by increasing their use of public transport and keeping travel local. We are asking that our staff and the people we support work together in the same way by:

  • Using public transport where practicable
  • Keeping activities local where possible
  • Considering short-term changes to scheduled supports to ensure your essential needs and community access goals continue to be met.

Your Support Workers and Team Leaders are available to plan these adjustments with you. Forward planning, including using the Transperth App, and service design can help reduce reliance on longer vehicle journeys and reduce the financial impact on our people. Transport through our Wheelchair Accessible vehicles will continue. We recognise the importance of this service and will ensure it remains available for those who rely on accessible transport, despite the impact on fuel pricing.

Working Together

These changes are intended to be practical and temporary. It is our way to ensure we can support our staff and manage costs outside NDIS funding while maintaining our commitment to the people we support and ensuring the continuity of supports. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued partnership with Interchange WA. Please speak with your Team Leader if you would like to discuss how we can work together to during these challenging times.

Your Sincerely

Justin O’Meara Smith

Chief Executive Officer at Interchange WA