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.

1. Core Supports

Purpose

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:

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 protectors
• 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.

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.

2. Capacity Building Supports

Purpose

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:

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 to increase your skills so you can participate in community, social and recreational activities.

4. Finding & Keeping a Job

This may include employment-related support, training and assessments that help you find and keep a job, such as the 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.

7. Health & Wellbeing

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

3. Capital Supports

Purpose

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

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

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 home modifications such as the installation of a hand rail in a bathroom or a ramp in a doorway. It may include a vehicle modification.
 

Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA)

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

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). 

• Cost of building or modifying a home to include features such as accessible bathrooms, ramps, wider doorways
• Assistive technology required for your accomodation

4. Recurring

Purpose

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.

Example

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

Other information

Stated Supports – Not flexible

• Any services listed as ‘stated supports’ are not flexible.
• You can’t use this funding for anything else.
• You can't swap ‘stated supports’ for any other supports.

In-kind Supports – Pre-paid Supports

• These supports are listed as ‘in-kind’ in your plan.
• It means the service has already been paid for by your state, territory or the Australian government.
• You must use this provider as they have already received payment and will provide all services that are booked.
• This means you cannot choose a provider for that service.
• If you have concerns about a provider you can speak to an ECEI Coordinator, LAC or NDIA planner.

As the NDIS roll out continues across Australia, it is expected that in-kind supports will be phased out and you will have choice and control over the providers you use.

Quote Required

Where a support is listed as ‘quote required’ additional information such as quotes and/or specialist reports will be required before funding can be made available in your plan.

Mobility Allowance

• Your eligibility for the Mobility Allowance payment ends when you receive an NDIS plan.
• This is because transport funding will be in your plan instead.
• You will keep your Health Care Card if you have one.

For more information on Mobility Allowance visit the Department of Human Services website

NDIS Price Guide and Support Catalogue

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

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