Every NDIS plan is built around reasonable and necessary supports that help you pursue your goals. The funding for those supports is grouped into three budget types. Knowing the difference helps you spend with confidence and avoid surprises.
1. Core Supports
Core is usually the largest part of a plan and the most flexible. It covers the everyday supports that help you with daily life and getting out into the community.
- Assistance with Daily Life: help with personal care, daily routines and household tasks.
- Assistance with Social and Community Participation: support to take part in activities, hobbies and social life.
- Consumables: everyday items you need because of your disability.
- Transport: help getting to appointments, work, study and activities.
In most plans, funding can be moved fairly freely between the Core categories, which gives you room to spend on what you need week to week.
2. Capacity Building Supports
Capacity Building is about building your skills and independence so you rely on funded support less over time. Unlike Core, this budget is split into fixed categories and funding cannot be moved between them.
- Improved Daily Living (therapies and skills development)
- Increased Social and Community Participation
- Finding and Keeping a Job
- Improved Living Arrangements (help to find and maintain housing)
- Support Coordination, to help you put your plan into action.
3. Capital Supports
Capital covers higher-cost, one-off items. This budget is the least flexible and is tied to specific approved items.
- Assistive technology, such as equipment, aids and devices.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), where funded.
How the budgets work together
Think of it this way: Core keeps daily life running, Capacity Building grows your skills for the future, and Capital pays for the bigger items that make independence possible. A good plan uses all three towards the same goals.