Step-by-Step Guide To NDIS Funding Categories And Eligibility

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to support Australians with disability. This helps participants access services that improve their quality of life and complete their goals. Understanding NDIS funding categories is important for you and your participants. It allows you to make decisions and it makes sure that support is given to your participants in the right way.

Let's explore the main NDIS funding categories and see how each one works for your participants.

What Are NDIS Funding Categories?

NDIS funding is divided into categories and each serves a specific purpose. These categories are made to ensure your participants can receive support for daily living, home adjustments and skill development.

The main NDIS Funding Categories are:

• Core Supports: Cover daily living needs and community participation.
• Capital Supports: Cover home modifications and assistive technology.
• Capacity Building Supports: Help to develop skills and independence.
• Recurring Supports (for PACE plans): Give them ongoing funding for long-term needs.

NDIS Core Supports

Core Supports focus on daily living and participation in community life. They are flexible so that participants can use funding for a range of essential services based on their individual needs.

Key areas of Core Supports include:

Area	What It Covers
Assistance with Daily Life	Personal care, meals and domestic support
Transport	Getting to school, work and community activities
Consumables	Everyday items like continence aids or basic disability equipment
Social and Community Participation	Support to join community programs

Core Supports helps your participants stay independent while actively taking part in the community.

NDIS Capital Supports

Capital Supports provides funding for long-term investments that improve a participant’s living environment and access to equipment. These supports usually have stricter rules and are not as flexible as Core Supports.

Examples include:

Area	What It Covers
Assistive Technology	Wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids etc
Home Modifications	Ramps, accessible bathrooms and other home adjustments
Specialist Disability Accommodation	Purpose-built homes for participants with high support needs

Capital Supports are made to enhance your participant’s surroundings and quality of life in a way that lasts.

NDIS Capacity Building Supports

Capacity Building Supports are intended to help participants develop skills and increase independence. Unlike Core Supports, these funds are used for specific purposes and cannot be exchanged between categories.

Important areas include:

• Support Coordination: Help with setting up and managing the NDIS plan
• Improved Daily Living: Services such as therapy and physiotherapy
• Finding and Keeping a Job: Employment training and support
• Improved Health: Workout plans, nutrition advice or personal trainers
• Improved Learning: Education and development of skills
• Improved Life Choices: Plan management and financial guidance
• Improved Relationships: Social skill development and behaviour support

Capacity Building Supports help your participants to achieve long-term outcomes. It improves their confidence, skills and independence.

NDIS Recurring Supports (PACE Plans Only)

Recurring Supports are part of PACE plans and provide ongoing funding for participants with long-term needs. They may cover:

• Continued therapy and rehabilitation
• Maintenance of assistive technology
• Specialised care that requires regular support

These supports make sure that your participants with chronic or ongoing needs get continuous care.

How NDIS Funding Management Affects Support Workers

Understanding how funding is managed is crucial when booking support workers:

• NDIA-managed Participants: Must use registered providers. All bookings are handled via the Myplace Participant portal.
• Plan-managed Participants: Can use both registered and unregistered providers. A plan manager handles the financial side of the plan.
• Self-managed Participants: Choose and pay their own support workers. Your participants have full control and can get services that match their needs.

Being aware of these arrangements helps you work effectively with your participants and you can make sure that they get timely delivery of services.

Why Knowing NDIS Funding Categories Matters for Providers

For providers, understanding NDIS funding categories helps you:

• Offer appropriate support to participants based on their plan.
• Ensure compliance with NDIS rules.
• Align services with funding restrictions.
• Build trust and long-term relationships with participants.

By staying informed, you can better support participants and improve outcomes across your service offering.

Summing Up

NDIS funding categories give a clear way to support your participants in their daily lives. It helps them to complete their long-term goals and skill development.Understanding these categories helps you give the right services at the right time. It can help you build their trust and ensure your participants get the most from their plans. You can help them live more independent and fulfilling lives.