NDIS Capacity Building Supports: What Can You Use Your Funding For?

Have Capacity Building funding in your NDIS plan but unsure what you can actually use it for?

Capacity Building funding can cover a range of supports, from therapies and skill development to Support Coordination. Understanding these categories can help you make better use of your NDIS funding, choose suitable supports and avoid unexpected costs.

What Are NDIS Capacity Building Supports?

Capacity Building funding is designed to help NDIS participants develop or maintain skills, build independence and work towards their goals.

Unlike Core Supports, which generally assist with everyday activities, Capacity Building focuses on developing skills and improving long-term outcomes.

Capacity Building funding is divided into different categories, each with its own purpose. The supports you can access depend on the funding included in your NDIS plan and the applicable NDIS rules.

What Can Capacity Building Funding Pay For?

Some of the most commonly used Capacity Building support categories include:

Improved Daily Living

This is where you may see funding for assessments, training or therapy aimed at building everyday skills and independence.

For example:

• Occupational Therapy to develop functional daily living skills

• Speech Therapy to improve communication

• Physiotherapy where it relates to building or maintaining functional capacity

  
  

The important point isn't simply which professional you see. The support still needs to relate to your disability needs and the supports described in your plan.

Increased Social and Community Participation

This funding can help you develop the skills needed to participate more independently in social and community life.

That might include developing social skills, making connections or building greater independence in community activities.

This is where people sometimes get confused with Core funding.

A simple example:

Core: A support worker helps you attend a community activity.

Capacity Building: Support helps you develop the skills to participate more independently.

They may sound similar, but they aren't necessarily funded in the same way.

Support Coordination

If Support Coordination is funded in your plan, a Support Coordinator can help you understand and implement your plan, connect with suitable providers and build your confidence in managing your supports.

That's where Support Coordination can be useful. NDIS describes Support Coordination as generally a time-limited support intended to help participants become more self-sufficient and confident in managing their funding, supports and providers.

Finding and Keeping a Job

This category can fund disability-related employment supports, such as building work skills, developing a career plan, gaining work experience or support with moving into work or further education.

It doesn't mean every employment-related expense can be paid by the NDIS. The support still needs to fit the funding and purpose described in your plan.

Improved Health and Wellbeing

Depending on your plan, this may include disability-related supports from professionals such as a dietitian or exercise physiologist to help improve health and wellbeing and build greater independence.

Improved Life Choices

This is where Plan Management funding sits.

If you have a Plan Manager, this funding is specifically included to pay for Plan Management. Your Plan Manager helps manage your NDIS funding, claims and provider payments and keeps financial records.

If you're not sure what your Plan Manager should actually be doing, you can also read our guide: What Should You Expect from Your NDIS Plan Manager?

How Do You Know What Your Capacity Building Funding Can Be Used For?

Start with your actual NDIS plan.

Don't just look at the total amount under Capacity Building. Look at the individual support categories underneath it and what the plan says the funding is for.

The NDIS now clearly distinguishes between flexible and stated supports, and Capacity Building funding must be used for the NDIS supports described within the relevant category.

If you're still unsure, ask before spending the funding.

Your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager or your LAC may be able to help you understand what is funded and how the relevant rules apply.

Need Help Understanding Your NDIS Funding?

Not sure what your Capacity Building funding can be used for, or how to organise the supports included in your plan?

Joystep provides Support Coordination and Plan Management services across Australia, helping participants understand their plans, connect with suitable providers and keep track of their funding.

Contact our team to discuss your NDIS support needs.