Breaking Down NDIS Budget Categories: Where Does the Money Go?
Breaking Down NDIS Budget Categories: Where Does the Money Go?
- May 19, 2025
If you’ve ever looked at your NDIS plan and thought, “Okay… but what does all this actually mean?” — you’re not alone.
Navigating the NDIS can feel like learning a new language, especially when you’re trying to figure out how your funding works and where you can (and can’t) use it. The good news? Once you get the hang of the budget categories, things start to make a lot more sense.
Let’s break it down together—because you deserve to feel confident about your plan and how it supports your life.
💰 So, What Are NDIS Budget Categories?
Your NDIS funding is divided into three main categories—each one designed to support different parts of your life. Think of them like buckets, and each bucket has its own purpose.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Core Supports – Everyday Support, Your Way
This is the most flexible part of your plan. Core Supports help you with things you need day-to-day to live your life more independently.
You can usually move funds around between different types of Core Supports, which means more choice and control for you.
Core Supports include:
- Assistance with daily living (like getting ready in the morning or help around the house)
- Transport (if your disability makes it hard to use public transport)
- Consumables (things like continence products or low-cost assistive tech)
- Social and community participation (help to join in with community activities, hobbies, or events)
2. Capacity Building Supports – Growing Your Skills and Independence
This category is all about helping you build confidence, gain skills, and move closer to your goals.
Unlike Core Supports, this funding is not interchangeable between sub-categories, so it’s important to use it as it’s been allocated.
Capacity Building can include:
- Support Coordination (help understanding and using your plan)
- Therapies (speech therapy, OT, physio, psychology, etc.)
- Employment-related support (if you want to find or keep a job)
- Improved daily living (life skills training, personal development)
- Plan management (someone to help manage your NDIS funds)
- Training for carers and parents
3. Capital Supports – Equipment and Big-Ticket Items
This part of your budget covers things that usually have a higher cost—things you don’t buy all the time but are essential to your daily life.
This funding is very specific and can only be used for exactly what it’s approved for.
Capital Supports include:
- Assistive Technology (like wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids)
- Home modifications (grab rails, ramps, bathroom changes)
- Vehicle modifications (if you need changes to your car for accessibility)
🙋♀️ “But What If I Don’t Understand My Plan?”
That’s okay. NDIS plans can be confusing—even for people who’ve had them for years.
Here’s what you can do:
- Ask your Support Coordinator or LAC to walk through it with you
- Call your plan manager (if you have one) to get help with invoices and tracking
- Reach out to your provider (like us at Concept Care!)—we’re always here to explain things in plain language
💙 You Deserve to Feel in Control
Understanding your NDIS budget isn’t about knowing every technical term—it’s about feeling confident that your support reflects you. Your life. Your goals. Your needs.
At Concept Care, we believe that everyone deserves to be supported in a way that feels personal, respectful, and empowering. Whether it’s helping you understand your categories or planning for your next review, we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way.
Have questions about your NDIS budget? We’re here to help—reach out anytime.