Understanding NDIS Funding: What Is and Isn't Covered

Navigating NDIS funding can be tricky, but we're here to help! In this article, we'll explore the types of support that the NDIS can fund for you, as well as what it cannot. At Disability Providers, we take pride in our support, so please feel free to reach out to us directly if you have any questions at the end of this article!

What Services and Supports Are Available Through the NDIS?

The NDIS provides three primary types of support: Core Support, Capital Support, and Capacity Building Support. Each type addresses different aspects of your life and helps you achieve your goals. All supports must be deemed 'reasonable and necessary' by the NDIS. Understanding these categories will help you effectively navigate your NDIS plan and access the appropriate support.

Core Supports

Category 1: Assistance with Daily Life
Assistance with Daily Life helps participants with personal tasks and activities of daily living. Examples include:

• Personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Household chores such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry
• Supervision and assistance with daily tasks in various environments, including your home

Category 2: Transport Allowance
Transport supports cover the cost of transportation services for participants who cannot use public transport due to their disability. This includes:

• Funding for transport to access supports outside of the home
• Transportation to support delivered by other providers

Category 3: Consumables
Consumables funding is for everyday items participants may require due to their disability, such as:

• Continence products, colostomy bags, dressing aids, and nutrition products
• Low-cost assistive technology
• Other necessary consumable items for daily living

Category 4: Assistance with Social, Economic, & Community Participation
This category focuses on supporting participants in engaging in community, social, recreational, or economic activities. Supports include:

• Assistance with accessing community events, social outings, and recreational activities
• Support for skill development, training, and education to enhance economic participation
• Assistance with community engagement and participation in social or recreational activities

Capital Supports

Category 5: Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology includes equipment or devices that help individuals with disabilities perform everyday tasks. This requires a quote from a provider and an assessment from a therapist. Examples include:
- Wheelchairs and mobility scooters
- Communication and speech-generating devices
- Hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Adaptive equipment for daily living tasks

Category 6: Home Modifications and Specialised Disability Accommodation
Home modifications and Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA) create accessible living environments. Supports include:
- Home modifications like rails, ramps, and bathroom modifications
- Funding for living in SDA-registered accommodation

Capacity Building Supports

Category 7: Support Coordination
Support Coordination helps participants understand their NDIS plan and connect with NDIS providers, building confidence and enhancing their ability to coordinate support effectively.

Category 8: Improved Living Arrangements
This category assists participants in finding and maintaining suitable accommodation, ensuring access to safe and secure living arrangements.

Category 9: Increased Social & Community Participation
These supports help participants develop skills and independence in accessing their communities, including skills-based learning opportunities and programs promoting community engagement and inclusion.

What Supports Are Not Covered by the NDIS?

The NDIS does not cover:

• Supports not related to the participant’s disability or support needs. For example, daily life assistance in cleaning and gardening if the participant can complete these tasks themselves.
• Supports duplicating other funded supports. For example, receiving funding for a service already funded by another source.
• Supports likely to cause harm to the participant or others. For example, extreme sports like mountain biking.
• Supports are better delivered by another system, such as health or education. For example, funding for a health condition is typically covered by Medicare, unless it meets NDIS criteria.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to us at Disability Providers. We're here to support you every step of the way!