NDIS Capacity Building Funding is a key part of many participant plans. Understanding exactly what it covers, who can access it, and how to make the most of it ensures Australians with disability can achieve their goals and live more independent, empowered lives. This guide details all you need to know—from how it works, what’s claimable, to who can help you use this funding to its full potential.

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What is NDIS Capacity Building Funding?

NDIS Capacity Building Funding is one of the main categories of support in an NDIS plan. It’s focused on building a participant's skills, independence, and ability to participate in the community and workforce. Unlike Core Supports (which fund day-to-day needs), Capacity Building is about long-term outcomes—helping you, or the person you support, gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead the life you want. [object Object]

Why is Capacity Building Important?

• Promotes independence: Empowers participants to rely less on others. [object Object]
• Facilitates goal achievement: Supports the pursuit of education, employment, social engagement, and daily living skills.
• Enables inclusion: Helps people with disability to participate in the broader community.
• Provides choice and control: Allows participants to choose how they use their funding for their unique needs. [object Object]

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How Does NDIS Capacity Building Funding Work?

NDIS plans are divided into three main budgets: Core Supports, Capital Supports, and Capacity Building Supports. Capacity Building is always set up as separate, specifically allocated funds connected to your individual goals. You can’t generally move funds between these categories; spend is restricted to its approved purpose.

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Categories of Capacity Building

There are nine Capacity Building support categories:

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1. Support Coordination
2. Improved Living Arrangements
3. Increased Social and Community Participation [object Object]
4. Finding and Keeping a Job
5. Improved Relationships
6. Improved Health and Wellbeing [object Object]
7. Improved Learning
8. Improved Life Choices
9. Improved Daily Living [object Object]

Each category funds different supports to address various aspects of a participant's life.

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What Can Be Claimed Under Capacity Building Funding?

[object Object] Here’s a breakdown of each category, with examples of claimable services and supports:

1. Support Coordination

• Connecting with NDIS providers and mainstream services [object Object]
• Coordinating service delivery and managing crises
• Building skills to understand and use your plan

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2. Improved Living Arrangements

• Support to find and maintain suitable accommodation
• Help liaising with housing services and rental agreements

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3. Increased Social and Community Participation

• Life skills development (cooking, budgeting)
• Travel training
• Classes or groups to develop social participation skills [object Object]

4. Finding & Keeping a Job

• Employment-related assessment and counselling
• Workplace assistance and capacity building programs [object Object]

5. Improved Relationships

• Behaviour intervention support
• Social skills development and training [object Object]

6. Improved Health & Wellbeing

• Exercise physiology or personal training
• Dietitian or nutrition advice (when related to disability support needs) [object Object]

7. Improved Learning

• Support to transition to and continue education
• Attendance support for school, TAFE or university [object Object]

8. Improved Life Choices

• Financial plan management (Plan Management services)
• Training in decision-making or budgeting [object Object]

9. Improved Daily Living

• Assessment, therapy, or training from allied health professionals, e.g. occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists
• Early childhood intervention therapies [object Object]

Note: Always check if individual services are “reasonable and necessary” as defined by the NDIS, or speak to your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator.

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How to Access and Use Capacity Building Funding

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1. Planning Meeting

The funding is determined during your NDIS planning meeting, where your goals are mapped out. Be clear about your aspirations—education, employment, living independently, etc.—as this determines your capacity-building budget.

2. Allocated Supports

Capacity Building funds are purpose-specific, so you’ll see these categories and amounts itemised in your NDIS plan. [object Object]

3. Finding Providers

Use platforms like NDISFinder.com to locate registered, experienced service providers delivering allied health, employment, life skills, support coordination, and other relevant supports.

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4. Service Agreements

Work with providers to create service agreements that fit your funding and preferences.

5. Tracking Spend

Monitor your spending to ensure funds last the plan duration. Some services may need pre-approval from the NDIA. [object Object]

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Capacity Building Funding and Australian Migration

NDIS Capacity Building funding is available to eligible participants, including migrants and new arrivals who meet the residency and disability criteria. While the NDIS is not directly tied to migration, it is crucial for new Australians with disability, including those on refugee and humanitarian visas, to:

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• Understand eligibility requirements: The participant must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
• Engage with LACs or NDIA Early Childhood Partners: These professionals can help culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families navigate plan creation, supports, and funding use.
• Access interpreters: NDIS funding can be used with bilingual support workers and for translated resources to maximise engagement and understanding. [object Object]

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Key Benefits & Features

• Customised skill development: Build on personal goals (education, work, relationships).
• Professional support network: Access to a wide variety of allied health professionals, support coordinators, and expertise. [object Object]
• Goal-centred funding: Everything is tailored to the participant’s individual objectives.
• Pathways to employment, independence and inclusion: Directly funds the capacity to become more self-sufficient.

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Common Challenges and Solutions

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