Your NDIS plan opens the door to dozens of different support services designed to help you live more independently and achieve your goals. However, many participants don't realise the full range of services available or mistakenly believe the NDIS funds things it doesn't. Understanding what you can access helps you make the most of your funding.
Core Supports Services
Core Supports fund everyday disability-related assistance. Personal care and assistance covers help with showering, dressing, eating, toileting, grooming, and medication management. Domestic assistance includes cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and maintaining your home. Community participation funds support workers to help you access recreational activities, social events, sporting clubs, and community groups.
Transport support helps you get to appointments, activities, and community participation. This might fund taxi vouchers, specialised transport providers, or support workers to accompany you on public transport. Consumables cover continence aids, low-cost assistive technology under $1,500, and disability-related everyday items.
Respite care provides temporary relief for family carers through in-home respite, centre-based day programmes, or short-term accommodation (STA) overnight stays. Supported Independent Living (SIL) funds support in shared or individual accommodation for participants who need assistance with daily living tasks.
Capacity Building Services
Capacity Building funds supports that help you develop skills and independence. Allied health therapies include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, exercise physiology, dietetics, and podiatry. These services build skills, improve function, and work toward goals rather than providing ongoing maintenance care.
Support coordination helps you understand and implement your plan, connect with providers, build capacity to coordinate supports yourself, and navigate the NDIS system. Employment supports fund job coaching, workplace assessments, and assistance finding and keeping employment.
Life skills training covers cooking, budgeting, shopping, using public transport, social skills, and other capabilities that increase independence. Positive behaviour support develops strategies for managing behaviours of concern through functional behaviour assessments and behaviour support plans.
Reasonable and Necessary
All NDIS supports must be reasonable and necessary. This means they must relate to your disability, help you pursue goals, represent value for money, and be likely to be effective. The NDIS won't fund supports unrelated to disability or that duplicate other services you can access elsewhere.
Capital Supports Services
Capital Supports fund high-cost items purchased infrequently. Assistive technology includes wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids, vision equipment, daily living aids, and specialised software. Home modifications range from minor changes like grab rails to major modifications like ramps, bathroom renovations, or ceiling hoists.
Vehicle modifications help you access transport through modifications like wheelchair hoists, hand controls, or adapted seating. Specialised disability accommodation (SDA) funds the building costs for specialist housing designed for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.
What the NDIS Doesn't Fund
Understanding exclusions prevents disappointment and inappropriate spending. The NDIS doesn't fund support unrelated to your disability (sports injuries, general medical treatment, dental care), everyday living costs everyone has (groceries, rent, utilities, phone bills), costs that are other services' responsibility (education, health care, justice, housing), or supports that duplicate other government programmes.
The NDIS also won't fund illegal activities, gambling, tobacco, or alcohol, travel or accommodation except when directly related to accessing disability supports, or standard household items like furniture, white goods, or regular home repairs.
Services Across All Categories
Some providers deliver services spanning multiple categories. Life Assist Abilities Support provides supports across Core and Capacity Building including personal care assistance, domestic assistance, community participation support, in-home support, respite care, SIL, support coordination, and allied health therapy coordination.
Having providers who offer multiple services simplifies coordination and builds familiarity with support workers who understand your needs across different contexts.
How to Access Services
To access services, first review your plan to understand your funding categories and amounts. Identify which services align with your goals and funding. Research providers delivering those services — you can use the NDIS provider finder, ask your support coordinator, or get recommendations from other participants. Contact providers to discuss services, costs, and availability. For Capital items, you typically need quotes and assessments before purchasing.
If a service you need isn't funded in your current plan, discuss it with your support coordinator or LAC, and request a plan review if warranted by changed circumstances or new needs.
Need Help Accessing NDIS Services?
Life Assist Abilities Support delivers comprehensive supports across Canberra to help you achieve your NDIS goals.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which services I access?
Yes, within your funded categories. You choose which supports to use, which providers to engage, and how to use your funding within category guidelines. The NDIS doesn't force you to use specific services or providers.
What if the service I need isn't in my plan?
Request a plan review if your circumstances have changed or you've identified a support need that wasn't addressed in planning. Provide evidence from therapists or doctors explaining why you need the additional support and how it relates to your goals.
Can I use multiple providers for the same service?
Yes. Many participants use different providers for different supports or have backup providers for the same service. This prevents disruption when your primary provider is unavailable and gives you options if compatibility issues arise.
How do I know if a service is NDIS-funded?
Check whether it falls under Core Supports, Capacity Building, or Capital categories, relates to your disability and goals, represents reasonable value for money, and isn't another system's responsibility. When uncertain, ask your support coordinator or contact the NDIA.
Can I try services before committing long-term?
Yes. Most providers offer trial periods or short-term engagements before expecting long-term commitment. Trial different services to determine what works best for you. You're not locked into providers or services that don't meet your needs.