NDIS School Holiday Programs: An Update

School holidays can be one of the most challenging times of year for families of children and teens with disability.

Routines disappear, usual supports pause, and parents are often left trying to juggle work, care, and limited options. For years, NDIS-funded school holiday programs helped fill that gap.

However, recent updates to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) have significantly changed how school holiday programs are treated.

If you are feeling confused, frustrated, or unsure what is still allowed, you are not alone.

This guide explains what has changed, what families should be careful about, and what ethical providers are doing in response.

🚨 Important Update: NDIS School Holiday Programs Are Explicitly Excluded

The NDIS has updated its guidance to explicitly exclude school holiday programs from being claimed as NDIS supports.

This means that programs marketed as:

• school holiday care

• vacation care

• before or after school programs

• OSHC-style programs

are not claimable through NDIS funding, even if they include activities, supervision, or group support.

This is a major shift and has caught many families and providers off guard.

What This Means for Families

If a provider is advertising a “NDIS school holiday program” and claiming it directly through NDIS funding, families should be cautious.

Potential risks include:

• claims being rejected by plan managers

• families being left with unexpected invoices

• funding issues during plan reviews

• providers quietly passing compliance risk onto families

A provider being popular or well-intentioned does not make something claimable.

⚠️ What to Be Careful Of Right Now

Be wary of programs that:

• continue to market themselves as NDIS-funded school holiday programs

• cannot clearly explain how supports are claimed

• say “everyone is doing it” as justification

• avoid putting information in writing

• rely on vague wording instead of clear guidance

If something feels unclear, ask questions before committing.

So What Is Still Possible?

While traditional school holiday programs are excluded, some providers are exploring alternative, compliant options, such as:

• small, interest-based groups outside an OSHC framework

• supports that align clearly with individual goals

• non-holiday-labelled group supports

• short-term, structured programs that are not marketed as school holiday care

However, eligibility, structure, and funding now vary significantly depending on the provider, the participant’s plan, and how the support is delivered.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer anymore.

🧡 How Loving Life Is Approaching This Change

At Loving Life, we take compliance seriously.

Rather than continuing programs that could put families at risk, we are:

• reviewing the updated PAPL guidance in detail

• reassessing what types of group supports can be offered safely

• redesigning programs to ensure they are genuinely claimable

• prioritising transparency so families are never caught out

This means some programs may look different going forward, and eligibility may change.

We know this is frustrating, but we believe honesty and compliance matter more than convenience.

📩 Want to Stay Informed?

We do still plan to offer small, interest-based group supports where possible, but we are taking the time to get this right.

If you would like to be notified when:

• new compliant group programs are released

• eligibility criteria are confirmed

• or options become available

You can join our waitlist, and we will contact families first when there is clarity.

Final Thoughts

The NDIS landscape is changing, and school holiday programs are one of the areas most affected.

If you are feeling confused or disappointed, that reaction makes sense. Families were relying on these supports.

The most important thing right now is:

• asking questions

• choosing providers who are transparent

• and avoiding programs that could put your funding at risk

If you are unsure whether something is claimable, it is always better to ask before proceeding.

📍 Based on the Gold Coast