One of the most common questions we get asked by people who have just joined the NDIS is what can your NDIS funds be used for? Here we explain.
Our easy read guide to getting started with the NDIS.
NDIS funds can be used for supports, services and equipment that are related to your disability.
These supports and services help you live a more independent, connected life.
This can include things like personal care, therapy, assistive technology and community participation.
But not every day living costs like groceries, rent or clothing.
Many people ask, "What can I use my NDIS money for?"
And it can be hard to know what NDIS pays for and what you need to pay for yourself.
This page will help you understand how you can use your NDIS funding.
Getting your NDIS plan
Before you can get NDIS funding, you need to check if you can apply.
To apply, you must:
- Be aged between 9 and 65 on the day you apply
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Live in Australia
- Meet the rules for disability support, early intervention, or both.
If you have a disability caused by a permanent impairment and need support to do daily activities, you can apply.
Once approved, you will set goals for things you want to achieve. Your goals will be unique to you, your disability, and how independent you want to be.
Examples of goals could be:
- "By the end of the year, I want to shower on my own without help.”
- “I want to learn to drive so I can get to work.”
- “In the next few years, I’d like to live on my own.”
If you’re not sure how to create goals, that’s okay. There’s lots of support to help you. Five Good Friends can help, or you can talk to your family, friends, or Local Area Coordinator.
How your NDIS funds can help with your goals
Since 3rd October 2024, the NDIS has a new list of approved supports.
The NDIS pays for different types of supports.
These include services, items, and equipment.
The NDIS will pay for a support if it meets the following:
It’s about your disability
The support is related to your disability or early intervention needs.
It helps you reach your goals
It supports your personal goals and dreams.
It helps you join in
It helps you take part in your community, social life, or work.
It has good value for money
The cost is reasonable and similar to other options that achieve the same result.
It may save money in the long run by reducing the need for other supports.
It works well for you
It is helpful and makes a positive difference in your life.
It supports your informal Helpers
The NDIS provides supports that directly impact you which makes life a bit easier for your informal supports (like your family and friends).
It fits the NDIS rules
It is something the NDIS can pay for under its guidelines.
This makes sure NDIS funding is fair and helps you live your best life.
There is a full list of supports you can spend your NDIS funds on. You can read the Easy Read full list of approved supports on the NDIS website.
What won’t the NDIS fund?
There is now a list of 15 areas that aren’t approved as NDIS supports.
Your funding can’t be used for things in this list.
This includes:
- Living costs like groceries, rent and clothes.
- Pet costs other than assistance animals funded by the NDIS.
- Alternative therapies like crystal therapy or gaming therapy.
- Treatment for a health problem that’s not related to your disability.
- Supports related to mental health and child protection.
- Supports related to school and education.
NDIS funding can only be used during hospital admission if the NDIA provides approval. Approval is rare and is usually limited to communication or behaviour support.
You can read the Easy Read list of what is not approved on the NDIS website
What if I need something in the ‘not approved’ list?
Some things on the ‘not NDIS approved’ list might still help with your disability.
You might be able to ask for these as a replacement support.
A replacement support is something you use instead of a support already in your NDIS plan.
It is not an extra support. It replaces one you already have.
To be approved, a replacement support must:
- Relate directly to your disability
- Help you become more independent
- Follow the NDIS rules for replacement supports
Talk to your NDIA Planner, LAC or Support Coordinator if you think this might apply to your situation.
How is your NDIS plan structured?
From 3 October 2024, new NDIS plans may include up to four funding budgets.
These are:
- Core
- Capacity building
- Capital
- Recurring (new)
Your plan is based on what you need. This means you might not have funding in every category.
You NDIS plan might divide your funding into time periods or amounts for different supports.
Your plan will explain how much you can spend on each type of support and for how long.
Here we explain the funding budgets in more detail.
1. Help with everyday life: Core Supports
These cover the practical support services that help you live and participate in the community.
Your Core Supports budget can cover:
- Assistance with daily life: Help with personal tasks like showering or cooking.
- Social and community participation: Support to join social or community activities.
- Consumables: Everyday items like continence aids or low-cost assistive technology.
- Transport: Help getting to work, school, or activities.
Some core supports are flexible, meaning you can use the funding across multiple areas. Others are stated, meaning they are for specific purposes like Home and Living (e.g., supported independent living or medium-term accommodation).
2. Building skills and independence: Capacity Building Supports
This is all about growing what you can do over time.
It’s designed to increase your independence over time by setting long-term goals.
Your Capacity Building Support budget can cover:
- Daily living skills: Training and therapy to improve independence.
- Finding & keeping a job: Support for employment, training, and job placement.
- Improved living arrangements: Help finding and keeping suitable housing.
- Social and community participation: Learning new skills to join in community activities.
- Relationships: Building social skills and connections.
- Support coordination: Help understanding and managing your plan.
3. High-cost items or changes in your home: Capital Supports
Capital Supports cover significant, one-off purchases that can help you move more independently.
Your Capacity Building Support budget can cover:
- Assistive technology: Items like wheelchairs or communication devices.
- Home modifications: Changes to your home for better accessibility.
- Specialist disability accommodation (SDA): Special housing for high support needs.
4. Regular transport support: Recurring Supports
These services are for NDIS participants who cannot travel or use public transportation independently.
Your recurring budget covers regular payments toward different types of travel, including:
- Taxis
- Rideshare
- Public transport
If you are not eligible for transport funding, this category will show a zero-dollar amount in your plan.
Not sure if something is covered in your plan?
Start by checking if it’s included in your funding.
Does the support relate to your disability? Will it help you work towards your goals?
If yes, it’s worth checking against the approved supports list. You can choose how to spend your NDIS funding, as long as it follows the rules.
If you need help, talk to your NDIA Planner, LAC, Plan Manager or support coordinator.
We’ve made a tool called ‘Can I buy this?’ It’s a simple checklist to help you see if the NDIS might pay for it. Download it from our website.
Get help from the team at Five Good Friends
Your NDIS funding exists to help you live the life you want.
Understanding what your plan can do is the first step.
At Five Good Friends, we work with NDIS participants to make sure the right supports and services are in place.
Support that shows up consistently, adapts as you do, and never loses sight of your goals.
If you’re ready to explore what that could look like, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more: NDIS - how do I know if I'm eligible?
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