NDIS Supports

Participants are only able to use their NDIS funds for items listed as NDIS supports on the approved NDIS Supports List as well as being Reasonable and Necessary

There is also a list of things NDIS funding cannot be used for.

In some circumstances Participants may be able to request a substitution from the replacement support list.

Below we have listed examples of what a Participant may spend their NDIS funding on.

What are the support budgets in my NDIS plan?

There are 4 types of support budgets that are funded by your NDIS plan. They are named:

1. Core 

2. Capacity Building 

3. Capital 

4. Recurring

We are now going to look at each part of your your budget.

What can I spend my CORE funding on?

Purpose of Core Funding

Core Supports help you with:

• everyday activities,
• your current disability-related needs and
• to work towards your goals.
   

Your Core Supports budget is the most flexible because you can use your funding across any of the following 4 support categories (in most cases).

Examples of what you can spend your Core Funding on

There are 5 categories of funding in the Core budget of your ndis plan.

Here are examples of what each categories of funding can be used for:

1. Assistance with Daily Life

For example, assistance with everyday needs, household cleaning and/or yard maintenance. 

This could also fund a Support Worker helping you with food preparation.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is also funded under this category and must be a stated support.

Find Support Worker Rates here.

2. Consumables

Everyday items you may need. For example, continence products or low-cost assistive technology and equipment to improve your independence and/or mobility.

Here are some examples of consumables:

• Daily living solutions/daily adaptive equipment: e.g. medication management devices, non-slip bathmats, signature guide, long-handled or adapted grip equipment, cutlery,
• Mobility: e.g. replacement mobility cane; replacement covers (like for like); walking stick
• Hearing & communication devices: Auslan or Signed English Training
• Interpretation & translation services
• External continence: One off /short term supply of washable briefs, pads, bedding prot
• Supplies: Catheters, bags, pullups, pads, wipes
• Continence alarms
• Home enteral nutrition (HEN) products and repairs
• Bowel management
• Specialised waste disposal equipment
• Low-cost Assistive technology: low risk items under $1500

Find prices for Consumables here.

3. Assistance with Social & Community Participation

For example, a support worker to help you to participate in social and community activities. (Note this does not include the cost of the activity)

Here are some examples of when you may need a support worker to assist you:

• Attend a social group or school holiday event
• Visit your local library
• Take part in a personal development course
• Go to a movie or concert
• Go to community events or a sporting club
• Take part in an art class

Find Support Worker rates here.

4. Home and Living

For example, this includes:

• Short term accomodation (STA) - respite away from your carers (max 14 days)
• Medium term accomodation (MTA) - up to 28 days while looking for housing
• Supported Independent Living (SIL) - funded personal support to help you live independently in your home or shared accomodation
• Individualised Living Options (ILO) - package of supports that can help you live how you want in the home environment you have chosen

5. Transport

This is support that helps you travel to work or other places that will help you achieve the goals in your plan.

It may include specialised transport to school, educational facility, employment, community and transport payment, taxi, worker vehicles.

How you can spend your transport funding and how it is paid to you (whether upfront or in regular payments) will be different for each person. Your LAC will explain how you can use this budget.

What can I spend my Capacity Building funding on?

Purpose of Capacity Building funding

Capacity Building Supports help you:

• build your independence and skills
• reach your long-term goal

Your Capacity Building budget is different to your Core budget because it is NOT flexible - they cannot be moved from one support category to another.

This funding can only be used to purchase approved Capacity Building supports (see support catalogue).

Examples of Capacity Building Funding

1. Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaches

This is a fixed amount for a Support Coordinator or Recovery Coach.

2. Improved Living Arrangements

Support to help you find and maintain an appropriate place to live.

3. Increased Social & Community Participation

Development and training (individually or in a group) to increase your skills so you can participate in community, social and recreational activities. It also includes community participation activities.

4. Finding & Keeping a Job

This may include:

• Employment related assessment and counselling
• Assistance in specialised supported employment
• Individual employment support (time limited)
• Employment preparation and support in a group
• Supported employment start up (ADE)
• Support in employment (ADE)
• School leaver employment supports (SLES)

5. Behaviour Supports

Funding for a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner to deliver:

• A Behaviour Management Plan Incl. Training In Behaviour Management Strategies
• Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support 
   

6. Relationships

This support will help you develop positive behaviours and interact with others with the help of:

• Specialised behaviour intervention support
• Behaviour management plan
• Training in behaviour management strategies
• Individual social skills development

7. Health & Wellbeing

Including exercise or diet advice to manage the impact of your disability. Examples include:

• Dietician consultation and diet plan management
• Dietician group session
• Exercise physiology
• Exercise physiology in a group of 3
• Personal training

The NDIS does not fund gym memberships.

8. Lifelong Learning

Examples include training, advice and help for you to move from school to further education, such as university or TAFE.

9. Choice & Control

Plan Management to help you manage your plan, funding and paying for services. Funding for Plan Management is provided in addition to all other funding. You cannot use this funding for anything else.

10. Improved Daily Living Skills

Assessment, training or therapy to help increase your skills, independence and community participation. These services can be delivered in groups or individually.
Find Prices for Therapy here.

What can I spend my Capital funding on?

Purpose of Capital Funding

Capital Supports include:

• higher-cost pieces of assistive technology,
• equipment and
• home or vehicle modifications.

It can fund one-off purchases you may need.

It can only be used for their specific purpose which are usually stated in your plan and cannot be used to pay for anything else.

Examples of what you can spend your Capital Funding on

The Capital Supports budget has 3 support categories:

Assistive Technology (AT)

This includes equipment items for mobility, personal care, communication and recreational inclusion such as wheelchairs or vehicle modifications.

Examples may include:

• wheelchairs
• pressure mattresses
• standing frames
• bathing and toileting equipment
• personal readers & vision equipment
• vehicle modifications
• Orthotics
• Prostheses
• Assistive equipment for recreation
• Assistive equipment for household tasks
• Communication and information equipment
• Lifts
• Hoists and slings
• Trailer to carry wheelchair
• Transfer equipment
• Sit-to-stand chairs
• Adapted furniture
• Hearing aids, maintenance, replacement
• Cochlear ear implant
• Vision equipment
• Tactile devices
• Voice generator
• Face to face communication assistive products
• Apps
• Text to speech devices
• Head pointer
• Eye gaze system
• Braille equipment
• Environmental control systems
• Sports wheelchairs
• Specialised bowling equipment
• Assistance animals

There are 4 types of Assistive Technology

Level 1 (Low Cost)
Cost less than $1500, are low risk and participants will mostly identify and buy from a retail store or online. Funding for Low Cost AT in your NDIS Plan is included under Core Budget. 

For example: Non-slip bath mats, Large print label, Doorbells 

Level 2 (Standard) 
Typically 'off the shelf' AT that participants can buy from AT providers and test/trial before making a final choice. Only minor adjustments needed 

For example: Bath mats, Hand rails, Ramps 

Level 3 (Specialised) 
Often requires specific modification to suit the needs of the participant. May require an assessment and quote 

For example: Electronic magnification for reading, Pressure mattresses 

Level 4 (Complex) 
Typically high cost and custom made or 'off the shelf' but configured uniquely for the individual. Requires an assessment and written quote 

For example: Power wheelchairs, Cochlear implant, speech processors 

Assistive Technology (AT), Maintenance, Repair and Rental

This is funding to pay for the repair or rental of Assistive Technology and is separate from the cost of buying Assistive Technology.

Home Modifications

This includes:

• Assistive products for personal care and safety - e.g.installation of a hand rail in a bathroom or a ramp in a doorway.
• Elevator
• Ramps
• Slip resistant tile coating
• Certification of approval of home modifications
• Project manager or building certifier
• Consultation about home modifications with builder

Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA)

SDA funding covers the cost of the physical environment, design, and technology required to accommodate their specific needs.

It may include the cost of building or modifying a home to include features such as accessible bathrooms, ramps, wider doorways. 

The goal is to provide safe and accessible housing that promotes independence, social participation, and improved quality of life. 

This does not cover the cost of accommodation, rent or utilities or everyday living costs (food, internet, rates). 

What can I spend my Recurring funding on

Purpose of Recurring Funding

Recurring supports is funding the NDIS pays into your bank account.

The NDIS ususally pays you this funding every 2 weeks.

You do not need to claim these supports.

Examples of what you can spend your Recurring Funding on

Funding for transport is a recurring support and paid every 2 weeks.

NDIS Price Guide and Support Catalogue

Use the MyCareSpace Price Finder to search for any NDIS item price.