Receiving an NDIS plan is a significant milestone for your family, but the specific terminology and labels used in the document can often be difficult to understand.
This guide is designed to simplify those plan labels so you can begin using your funding with confidence. As a local not-for-profit with over 40 years of history in Western Sydney, Woodville Alliance is committed to providing clear, honest, and easy-to-understand information to help our community thrive.
The Three Main NDIS Budgets
Your NDIS funding is typically divided into three distinct buckets, each serving a different purpose in your life.
Core Supports:
This is your most flexible budget for everyday activities and basic requirements, such as transport or consumables. Think of this as your daily life fund that moves with your changing needs.
Capital Supports:
This budget is for significant, one-off investments such as specialised equipment or modifications to your home. These funds are fixed and cannot be moved to other categories. This is for the big, important items that make your home or vehicle more accessible.
Capacity Building:
This budget funds services that help build your independence and your skills for the future. Unlike Core supports, these funds are fixed to specific categories. Use this budget to learn new things and gain the confidence to reach your goals.
Breaking Down Your Support Categories
1. Core Supports: For Your Everyday Needs
This is your most flexible budget pool. You can generally move funds between these categories to suit your daily life requirements.
| NDIS Category | Support Description | Local Example or Woodville Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Category 01: Assistance with Daily Life | Funds provided to help with everyday needs, household cleaning, and yard maintenance. | Local Example: Supported Independent Living (SIL) or in-home support. |
| Category 02: Transport | Subsidises the cost of transport if you are unable to use public transport. | Local Example: Transport assistance to reach local community hubs. |
| Category 03: Consumables | For everyday items like nutrition or continence products and low-cost equipment. | The Woodville Tip: Use this for the essential items you need every single day. |
| Category 04: Social and Community Participation | For support workers to help you attend social, community, or recreational activities. | Local Example: Weekend social groups or evening programs. |
2. Capital Supports: For Major Investments
This budget is for significant, one-off investments. Because these are high-cost items, the funding is fixed and cannot be moved to other categories.
| NDIS Category | Support Description | Local Example or Woodville Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Category 05: Assistive Technology | Funds specialised equipment like wheelchairs, hoists, or vehicle modifications. | The Woodville Tip: This is for the big, important items that make your home or vehicle more accessible. |
| Category 06: Home Modifications | Covers structural changes to your home, like ramps or rails to help you live independently. | The Woodville Tip: These funds are specifically for permanent changes to your living environment. |
3. Capacity Building: For Independence and Skills
This budget funds services that help you build your independence and your skills for the future. Unlike Core supports, these funds cannot be moved between categories.
| NDIS Category | Support Description | Local Example or Woodville Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Category 07: Support Coordination | Funding for a coordinator to help you understand and use your plan effectively. | Goal: To help you connect with providers and coordinate your various supports. |
| Category 08: Improved Living Arrangements | Helps you find and keep a suitable place to live. | The Woodville Tip: Use this to explore housing options that suit your needs. |
| Category 09: Increased Social and Community Participation | Covers support to increase your skills so you can participate in community and social activities. | Goal: Building the confidence to join in and try new things. |
| Category 10: Finding a Job | Funds employment-related support, training, and assessments. | Local Example: School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) programs. |
| Category 11: Improved Relationships | This support helps you develop positive behaviours and interact with others. | The Woodville Tip: Focused on building social skills and stronger connections. |
| Category 12: Improved Health and Wellbeing | Includes exercise or diet advice to manage the impact of your disability. | Note: Please be aware that the NDIS does not fund gym memberships. |
| Category 13: Improved Learning | Includes training and help to move from school to further education like TAFE or university. | Goal: Supporting your transition into higher learning and new skills. |
| Category 14: Improved Life Choices | Plan management to help you manage your plan, funding, and provider payments. | The Woodville Tip: This provides professional help to stay on top of your budget. |
| Category 15: Improved Daily Living Skills | Assessment, training, or therapy to help increase your skills and independence. | The Woodville Tip: Use this budget to learn new things and gain the confidence to reach your goals. |
How Your Funding is Managed
There are three main ways to handle your budget, which decide how your providers are paid:
- NDIA Managed: The NDIS pays your providers directly.
- Plan Managed: An independent agency pays your bills and helps you track your budget.
- Self Managed: You have total control over your funding and payments.
Disability Support for Your Family, Close to Home
Woodville Alliance has been a trusted part of Western Sydney for over 40 years. We understand our community because we are a part of it, operating local disability support hubs in Bonnyrigg, Chester Hill, and Canley Vale, as well as offering 1-to-1 community access programs for clients across the region.
Our diverse team includes bilingual staff who ensure every family feels respected and understood, regardless of their background. As a local not-for-profit and registered provider, we prioritise delivering safe, quality, and reputable supports under the NDIS.
If you have questions about your plan labels or need help navigating your funding, our local team is here for a friendly, obligation-free chat.