Don't Let it Lapse! Smart Ways to Utilise Your Remaining NDIS Funding Before 2026
Don't Let it Lapse! Smart Ways to Utilise Your Remaining NDIS Funding Before 2026
- December 8, 2025
G’day! If you’re anything like me, as the end 2025 approaches, you start feeling that familiar rush. We’re thinking about the holidays, perhaps planning a well-deserved break, and of course, looking at that last month of your current NDIS plan.
You look at your budget and see a few dollars left in the kitty. You might be wondering: What exactly should I do with that unspent funding? Do I lose it? And what’s the smartest way to use it to set myself up for next year?
It can feel a bit overwhelming, like a last-minute scramble. But I want to remind you that this isn’t about rushing to spend money on things you don’t need. It’s about empowerment—being proactive and making sure every single dollar allocated to your support is invested wisely to achieve your goals.
Let’s unpack this together.
The Golden Rule: Use It Before You Lose It
First, let’s be crystal clear about the rules of the road.
Suppose your current NDIS plan ends on December 31st (or any date in December). In that case, any funds not spent on supports delivered before that end date will typically go back to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Unspent funds do not generally roll over into your new, subsequent plan.
So, the clock is ticking, but you have the power to make the most of it!
Note – Some funding may be carried over in exceptional circumstances (e.g., if NDIA agrees to a rollover during plan review or for certain Capital items), but generally, Core and Capacity Building funds need to be spent before the plan ends.
Three Smart Strategies for Your End-of-Year Spend
The best strategy for utilising remaining funds always aligns with your goals and respects the flexibility (or lack thereof) of the three main NDIS support categories.
1. Give Your Core Budget a Smart Boost
Core Supports are usually the most flexible budget. This is where you can be smart and purchase supports that make your life easier right now and in the new year.
Stock Up on Essentials: If you have funds in your Consumables budget, now is the perfect time to bulk-buy essential items like continence aids, specific sensory tools, or prescribed supplements. This is a great way to relieve pressure on your new 2026 budget.
Book Extra Support: The holidays can be exhausting. Use remaining daily activities funds to book a few extra hours of support. Maybe you need help with a deep clean, organising your home before visitors arrive, or assistance with end-of-year tasks that feel overwhelming. This is entirely valid and directly supports your well-being goal.
Invest in Accessible Fun: If you’re based in a vibrant place like Sydney, use your Social & Community Participation budget to enjoy an accessible event or activity you’ve been putting off. This could be an accessible tour, a community workshop, or extra support to safely attend a family Christmas gathering. Getting out and about is essential, and many great sydney disability services can help you achieve this.
Important: Always make sure the support aligns with your NDIS plan goals. NDIA may question expenditures that are purely recreational if not goal-linked.
2. Get Ahead with Capacity Building
Capacity Building is all about skill development and achieving long-term independence. You can’t shift this money to Core, but you can use it to seriously fast-track a goal.
Book a Therapy Intensive: Got unspent funds for your Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Pathologist? Why not book a focused, intensive block of sessions? Regular, concentrated therapy right before the New Year can lead to big breakthroughs and establish strong habits for 2026.
Secure that Essential Report: This is perhaps the most strategic move. Use remaining therapy funding to cover the cost of a final assessment and a detailed progress report from your therapist. This report is crucial evidence for your upcoming plan review, helping to justify the level of funding you need next year. Good evidence means a stronger plan!
Tip: Ensure sessions are delivered before the plan end date; invoices must be submitted in time.
3. Final Checks for Capital Supports
Capital funding is the least flexible as it is allocated for specific, high-cost items like Assistive Technology (AT) or Home Modifications.
Chase Up Quotes: If you’ve been waiting for an item (like a specialised chair or complex communication device), contact the supplier immediately. Make sure the quote is accepted, the order is placed, and the invoice will be processed and paid before your plan’s end date.
Essential Maintenance: Use any allocated AT Maintenance and Repair funds for those crucial annual check-ups on your existing equipment. Think of it as a pre-New Year service for your essential gear!
Important: Large items like home modifications usually require pre-approval; don’t assume leftover funds can automatically pay for new items without NDIA approval.
The Ultimate Goal: Planning for a Better 2026
Remember, using your funding responsibly and strategically shows the NDIA exactly what supports you need. This isn’t just about spending; it’s about building evidence for your next plan.
Any significant unspent budget tells the NDIA that you may not need the same level of funding next year. By investing your remaining funds in genuine, goal-aligned supports, you are demonstrating the utility and necessity of your budget, helping you secure the supports you need for next year. This is what effective NDIS disability services are all about—planning and empowerment.
We all want the best from our NDIS experience. By being proactive now, you are putting yourself and your goals first!