What can NDIS funds be spent on?

NDIS funding is designed to support a participant’s disability-related needs and goals. It can help pay for supports that improve daily living, reduce barriers, increase independence, and support participation in work, education, and community life.

Funding is usually organised into categories that relate to the type of support being purchased. These categories are not always the same as how a support is delivered in practice, but they help explain what is typically funded within a plan.

Core supports

Core supports are used for everyday disability-related needs, such as personal care, transport, household tasks, social participation, and support to access the community.

Capacity building supports

These supports help build skills and capacity in areas such as employment, education, relationships, independent living, and health and wellbeing.

Capital supports

Capital supports fund higher-cost items or home and vehicle modifications that assist participation and independence, such as equipment, assistive technology, or home access changes.

Reasonable and necessary

For a support to be considered reasonable and necessary, it generally needs to be related to a participant’s disability, help them pursue goals, be value for money, be likely to be effective, and not be more appropriately funded through another system.

NDIS funding is not intended to cover day-to-day living costs that are unrelated to disability support, such as general groceries or household expenses that would normally be paid for by everyone.

Supports that are usually not funded

Supports may not be funded if they are not related to disability, are not value for money, are not likely to be effective, or are more appropriately provided through health, education, or another service system.

In some cases, a participant may need to request a review or provide more evidence if a support has been declined. It can help to ask for written reasons and discuss what information might support a different decision.