What Can NDIS Funding Be Used For in Melbourne?

The said funds are allocated based on one’s goals, needs, and circumstances. Your funding or budget provided in your plan is primarily categorised into three main sections:

• Core Supports
• Capital Supports
• Capacity Building Supports

If you’re struggling to navigate the system, you can reach out to a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or your NDIS provider. They can help you implement your NDIS plan as well as find fitting services for your requirements.

1. Core Supports

Being the most flexible part of the NDIS plan, this category covers your everyday activities and essential support needs. This funding can often be moved between different categories, giving you greater choice and control. Its types of support include –

A. Assistance with Daily Life

• Help with personal activities such as showering, dressing, or cleaning.
• Support for independent living in shared or individual accommodation.
• Support workers to assist with routines at home or in the community.

B. Transport

• Assists participants who are unable to use public transport due to disability.
• Supports getting to work, school, or community activities.

C. Consumables

• Everyday items such as continence products, wound care supplies, and low-cost assistive technology.
• Nutrition supplements or equipment related to specific disabilities.

D. Social and Community Participation

• Support to join group activities, art classes, sporting clubs, or attend community events.
• Group outings, skill-building workshops, or community gardening programs.

2. Capital Supports

This budget includes expensive assistive technologies, home modifications, and vehicle upgrades. However, funds under this category are more restrictive, so they must be utilised as outlined in the NDIS plan. The types of support here include –

A. Assistive Technology

Items that aid participants in doing things more comfortably and independently come under this section. These can range from simple manual devices to complex automatic gadgets.

• Wheelchairs and mobility aids.
• Hearing aids.
• Voice-output communication devices.
• Custom prosthetics.
• Smart home systems (e.g., voice-controlled lights or doors).

B. Home Modifications

Changes to the participant’s home to ensure its safety and accessibility are funded as part of home modifications. For example:

• Ramps and grab rails
• Widened doorways
• Bathroom renovations (e.g., accessible showers or toilets)
• Kitchen modifications

3. Capacity Building Supports

This support focuses on building skills, independence, and connections. Unlike Core Supports, this funding cannot be moved between categories, and each support is directly linked to the participant’s goals. It consists of

A. Support Coordination

• Help to understand and implement the NDIS plan.
• Connect participants with providers and monitor progress.
• Especially useful for new participants or those with complex support needs.

B. Improved Living Arrangements

• Assistance in finding and transitioning to suitable housing.
• Includes support with lease applications, tenancy rights, and housing providers.

C. Increased Social and Community Participation

• Skills training, mentoring, and development of life skills.
• Programs may include public speaking, group facilitation, or confidence-building workshops.

D. Finding and Keeping a Job

• Employment-related support, training, and workplace mentoring.
• Helps participants prepare for, find, and retain employment.

E. Improved Relationships

• Behavioural support planning and intervention.
• Social skills development and counselling services.

F. Improved Health and Well-being

• Exercise physiology
• Personal training
• Dietitian services

G. Improved Learning

• Help with education and training goals.
• Support with enrolling in courses, adjusting learning materials, or tutoring.

H. Improved Life Choices

• Financial plan management.
• Participants can choose to have a Plan Manager to help with budgeting, claims, and invoices.

I. Improved Daily Living

• Therapies and training to increase independence—Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Psychology.

• General living expenses (rent, groceries, utility bills)
• Items already funded by other government systems (e.g., Medicare)
• Supports not related to a participant’s disability
• Day-to-day childcare or education costs

Keep this list in mind to avoid confusion while managing your funds or disappointment for declined claims.