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NDIS Support Categories Explained: Simple Guide
Your NDIS plan has different types of funding. These are organised into support budgets and support categories.
It might look confusing at first, but there's a simple way to understand it.
Think of your NDIS plan as a filing cabinet. Your support budgets are the drawers, and your support categories help organise what's inside.
Here's how they work.
What are the four NDIS support budgets?
The NDIS has four main support budgets:
- Core Supports: Help with everyday tasks, personal care and taking part in your community.
- Capacity Building Supports: Help you build skills and become more independent.
- Capital Supports: Help pay for things like assistive technology and home modifications.
- Recurring Supports: Cover certain regular payments, such as eligible transport funding.
You may not have funding in all four budgets. Your plan depends on your needs.
Read the NDIS guide to support budgets.
What is a support category?
A support category is a smaller part of a support budget.
For example, Core Supports can include:
- Assistance with Daily Life.
- Consumables.
- Assistance with Social and Community Participation.
Capacity Building includes categories such as Improved Daily Living and Improved Life Choices.
The NDIS has 21 support categories in total.
Each category covers certain types of supports.
You can see more examples and download an Easy Read guide in the NDIS guide to support budgets and categories.
What is an NDIS support item?
A support item is a specific service or product you can buy using eligible NDIS funding.
For example:
- Support budget: Core Supports.
- Support category: Assistance with Daily Life.
- Support item: Help with household tasks.
Each support item has a code used for NDIS claims.
This helps providers and plan managers claim payments from the right part of your plan.
Can I use funding from one category in another?
Sometimes.
Some Core Supports funding is flexible. This means you may be able to use it across eligible Core support categories.
Other funding is stated. This means you must use it for the support or purpose listed in your plan.
You cannot move funding between the four main support budgets yourself. Your plan will show which funding is flexible and which is stated.
How do I know which categories I have?
Open your NDIS plan or check the my NDIS app or participant portal.
Look for the support budgets, categories and funding amounts listed in your plan.
If you're unsure, ask your plan manager or NDIS contact.
Need help understanding your funding?
Kismet Healthcare can help plan-managed participants keep track of their budgets and eligible provider invoices.
Learn more about Kismet Plan Management.