Understanding NDIS Funding Categories
NDIS plans can include different funding categories. Understanding these categories can help participants use supports in a way that matches their goals and daily needs.
What Are NDIS Funding Categories?
NDIS funding categories are the different parts of an NDIS plan. Each category is designed to support different needs, such as daily living, independence, community access, therapy, equipment or home modifications.
The three main funding areas are usually Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports. Each area has a different purpose.
Advice Care can help participants, families and support coordinators understand which services may fit their support needs and goals.
Core Supports
Support for daily living, personal care, transport and community participation.
Capacity Building
Support to build skills, independence, confidence and long-term ability.
Capital Supports
Funding for higher-cost equipment, technology or home and living needs.
Core Supports
Core Supports help participants with everyday activities and daily living needs. This funding is often more flexible and may support personal care, community access, transport, household tasks and daily routines.
Many Advice Care supports may fall under Core Supports depending on the participant’s NDIS plan, funding and goals.
- Personal care and daily routines
- Community participation
- Transport assistance
- Household tasks
- Support with daily living
- Social and community access
Daily Support
Core Supports can help participants with daily life, community access and practical needs.
Personal CareExamples of Core Support Services
Core Supports can help participants live more safely and confidently in daily life.
Household Tasks
Help with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and home organisation.
Household TasksTransport Assistance
Transport support for appointments, shopping and community access.
Transport SupportCommunity Participation
Support to attend activities, appointments and community programs.
Community SupportCapacity Building Supports
Capacity Building Supports are designed to help participants build skills and independence. These supports may help with daily living skills, relationships, behaviour, social connection, employment goals, health, therapy and confidence.
Unlike some Core Supports, Capacity Building funding is usually linked to specific categories and goals. Participants should check their NDIS plan or speak with their support coordinator or plan manager to understand how the funding can be used.
Advice Care may support capacity-building goals through services such as life skills development, social work services, therapeutic supports and community participation planning where suitable.
Examples of Capacity Building Supports
Life Skills Development
Support to build confidence, independence and practical daily living skills.
Life SkillsSocial Work Services
Support with advocacy, wellbeing, family needs and service connection.
Social WorkTherapeutic Supports
Capacity-building support for wellbeing and daily life outcomes.
Therapeutic SupportsSupport Planning
Planning support around goals, routines, risks and participant needs.
Support PlanningCommunity Confidence
Support to build social confidence and participate in local activities.
Community ParticipationCapital Supports
Capital Supports are usually for higher-cost items. This may include assistive technology, equipment, home modifications or specialist disability accommodation needs.
Capital funding is usually less flexible than Core Supports. Participants should use it for the purpose approved in their NDIS plan.
- Assistive technology
- Mobility equipment
- Home modifications
- Specialist disability accommodation
- Higher-cost support items
- Equipment linked to disability needs
Check Your Plan
Capital Supports should be used for the approved purpose in the participant’s NDIS plan.
SDA InformationHow to Understand Your Funding
It is important to understand what funding you have and how it can be used. Support coordinators and plan managers can help explain your NDIS plan.
Read Your Plan
Check each support category, goal and budget amount carefully.
Ask Questions
Ask your provider, support coordinator or plan manager to explain unclear items.
Match Goals
Use supports in a way that connects with your NDIS goals and needs.
Track Spending
Keep track of invoices, service bookings and plan budget use.
Review Regularly
Review funding and supports when your needs or goals change.
Plan Ahead
Prepare early before your NDIS plan review or reassessment.
How Advice Care Can Help
Advice Care can discuss service options and help participants understand which supports may be suitable for their needs. We do not replace formal plan management or NDIA advice, but we can explain our services in simple language.
We can work with participants, families and support coordinators to understand support needs, goals, service availability and referral pathways.
Before services begin, Advice Care can discuss support type, service agreement, pricing, cancellation rules and referral requirements.
Need Help Understanding Support Options?
Contact Advice Care to discuss NDIS services, referrals and support planning.
Contact Advice CareFrequently Asked Questions
What are the main NDIS funding categories?
The main funding areas are usually Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports.
What are Core Supports used for?
Core Supports can help with daily living, personal care, transport, household tasks and community participation.
What are Capacity Building Supports?
Capacity Building Supports help participants build skills, independence, confidence and long-term ability.
Can Advice Care explain service options?
Yes. Advice Care can explain available NDIS services and referral options in simple language.