The NDIS Support Guide: What’s Covered and What’s Not?
Navigating the NDIS can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language. Between the acronyms and the different budget types, it is perfectly normal to feel a bit stumped about what you can actually buy with your funding.
So what does NDIS cover? And what isn’t covered? Whether it is getting help around the house or learning a new skill to land a job, knowing exactly what is covered by the NDIS helps you use your plan with confidence.
The “Reasonable and Necessary” Benchmark
Before looking at specific items, we have to look at the golden rule the NDIA uses to make decisions. For a support to be funded, it must meet several criteria. It needs to be related to your disability and help you achieve the goals listed in your plan. It should also represent good value for money, meaning there isn’t a significantly cheaper option that would do the same job just as well.
Importantly, the NDIS looks at what is “reasonable” for families and the community to provide. This is about finding a balance between formal paid support and the natural support of friends and family. It is a forward-looking approach that ensures the scheme stays fair for everyone while giving you the boost you need to stay independent.
What the NDIS Usually Covers
The NDIS splits its funding into three main buckets: Core, Capacity Building, and Capital. Each one serves a different purpose in your journey.
Daily Life and Core Supports
This is the most flexible part of your plan. It covers the things you need for your day-to-day life. If you need a hand with showering, dressing, or meal preparation, that is covered here. It also includes help with basic household chores like cleaning or laundry if your disability makes it hard to do them yourself.
Core supports also extend to community participation. If you want to join a local footy club, attend an art class, or simply get out for a coffee in Melbourne, the NDIS can fund a support worker to go with you. This is all about reducing isolation and making sure you are a part of the vibrant community around you.
Building Your Skills
Capacity Building is all about the future. These supports are designed to help you become more independent over time. This includes various types of therapy, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology.
It also covers things like training to help you find and keep a job, or assistance with social and communication skills. If you want to learn how to manage your own budget or navigate the public transport system, this is the bucket of funding that makes it happen. It is an investment in your potential.
Equipment and Home Changes
The Capital budget is for the big-ticket items. This covers assistive technology, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or specialised communication devices. It also covers home modifications, like installing a ramp or a wet-room bathroom to make your house safer and easier to get around. These supports are often life-changing, providing the physical tools needed for true independence.
What the NDIS Does Not Cover
While the NDIS is generous, it isn’t designed to cover every single living cost. To keep the scheme sustainable, there are clear boundaries on what falls outside its remit.
General Living Expenses
The NDIS will not pay for things that every Australian has to pay for, regardless of whether they have a disability. This includes your rent, groceries, electricity bills, and phone plans. In simple terms, the NDIS covers the disability-related costs, but not the “everyday life” costs. For example, the NDIS might fund a support worker to help you cook a meal, but it won’t pay for the ingredients.
Supports Provided by Other Systems
Australia has other systems in place to look after certain needs. The NDIS generally does not cover things that are the responsibility of the health system (like hospital stays or GP visits) or the education system (like school fees). It is meant to complement these services, not replace them.
Anything Unrelated to Your Disability
If a support does not directly relate to your disability or the goals in your plan, the NDIA will likely knock it back. This is why having clear, well-thought-out goals is so important. If your goal is to become more active in the community, then a support worker to help you visit the local park makes perfect sense.
Making Your Funding Work for You
One of the best ways to stay on track is to work closely with a team that knows the system inside and out. Professional support coordination can help you navigate the grey areas and ensure you are claiming for the right things.
It is also helpful to keep an open dialogue with your providers. If you are ever unsure if a particular activity or piece of equipment is covered, just ask. It is much better to check first than to run into issues with your budget later on.
A Positive Path Forward
By understanding what is covered, you take away the guesswork and replace it with a clear plan of action. It is about having the peace of mind that your essential needs are met, so you can focus on the fun parts of life.
Navigating the NDIS can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language. Between the acronyms and the different budget types, it is perfectly normal to feel a bit stumped about what you can actually buy with your funding. So what does NDIS cover? And what isn’t covered? Whether it is getting help around the house…