NDIS Assistance Categories Explained

The NDIS is a federally funded scheme that provides support to people with a disability or their carers. It was introduced in 2013 to replace the previous schemes of the National Disability Services (NDS).

Carers and clients alike often get lost in the labyrinth of the support structure and NDIS support categories. We are here to help you understand all of the NDIS funding categories in simple language.

The NDIS covers a wide range of services, including personal care, accommodation, transport, social community and civic participation, and so on. What you need to know is that NDIS’ core, capacity building, and capital supports are the three categories of support budgets that may appear in an NDIS plan. Different services, therefore, fall under different categories.

People with disabilities can receive NDIS funding for support such as:

  • 01. Personal care
  • 02. Accommodation
  • 03. Transport
  • 04. Education and employment assistance
  • 05. Therapy and rehabilitation services
  • 06. Equipment and technology assistance
  • 07. Assistance with social and community participation

We’ve broken down the different sorts of supported assistance into bite sized pieces so you can get a grasp of how the system works. As a result, we hope to help you to get as much out of your NDIS Plan as possible.

elderly hand support ndis

1. NDIS Core Supports Category

Think of the tasks that are essential and stand at the core of your everyday life. NDIS Core supports may include;

Assistance with day to day tasks including household chores, grocery shopping, meal prep, laundry, personal hygiene, bathing, etc.

NDIS Core supports are also concerned with assisting you to move around so that you can enjoy a sociable life. Transportation to your workplace, your place of education, or to relevant community events is therefore supported under the Core Supports category as well. Think sports groups for exercise, life coach visits, art courses, social outings, picnics, movies, and vacation activities as some of the options.

Arranging alternative housing options are also on the cards may you need this type of assistance, including lodging help for the short and medium term.

Hospice care support to help you with your disability-related medical requirements.

Assistance for interpretation and translation including the sign language, and/or sign language training.

Low-cost personal care and safety technologies to enhance your freedom and/or accessibility.

elderly woman ndis assistance australia

2. NDIS Capital Supports Category

NDIS Capital Supports category exists to cover things that help you cope with the effects of your condition. These funds aren’t particularly flexible, and they generally cover certain topics that were discussed in your planning meeting and authorized by the NDIA in your approved plan such as home modifications and assistive technology.

Assistive Technology could be a smart gadget, a specialized wheelchair, or an app that provides you with something specific.

Whereas home modification is the funding to adapt your home to make it simpler for your day to day life and chores in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and/or bedroom. An example of a home modification assistance would be the funding of a stair climber.

old lady help

3. NDIS Capacity Building Supports Category

This support category is designed to help you improve your abilities and accomplish your goals. Capacity building funds are set aside for you to;

Search for and get employment, individualised job help and preparation, as well as continuous support in the workplace.

Help create and sustain good behavior control methods, and improve social skills.

Develop financial and organisational abilities.

Cover your treatments and other programs to help you develop the skills you need to lessen the effects of your impairment. This might be a physiotherapist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, or any other therapy that helps you become more self-sufficient in your everyday activities.

Evaluation, coaching, and treatment to aid in the design and maintenance of independent skills and involvement in the community.

Build your capacity to connect with the relevant supports, sustain support connections, and handle service delivery challenges and periods of crisis.