Understanding Core vs Capacity Building vs Capital Supports in the NDIS

Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the different types of funding and support categories available. One of the most important distinctions participants, families, and carers need to understand is the difference between Core, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. Each of these support types enables people with disabilities to access appropriate services and achieve their individual goals. This guide breaks down what these support categories mean, their significance, how they work in various situations—including migration contexts—and how to make the most of your NDIS plan.

What Are Core, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports?

The NDIS offers funding across three main support categories:

• Core Supports: Help you with everyday activities and current disability-related needs.
• Capacity Building Supports: Help you build skills and independence for the future.

• Capital Supports: Fund higher-cost one-off purchases, like equipment, technology, or home modifications.

Why Is This Important?

Understanding each support category ensures you:

• Use your NDIS funding efficiently.

• Find the right providers and services.
• Advocate for yourself or your loved one during planning.
• Ensure services are tailored to real, day-to-day needs.

1. Core Supports

Core Supports are the most flexible part of an NDIS plan, designed to help with activities of daily living and participation in the community. These funds can often be moved between sub-categories to suit your needs.

Typical Categories/Sub-categories under Core Supports:

• Assistance with Daily Life: Personal care, household tasks, assistance with self-care.

• Transport: Getting to school, work, or community activities.
• Consumables: Daily needs like continence supplies.
• Assistance with Social and Community Participation: Help to engage in activities or attend social gatherings.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Flexibility to use funding where most needed (except Transport).
• Covers basics required to maintain quality of life and independence.
• Can change week to week depending on needs.

Who Provides Core Supports?

• Support workers or carers
• Disability support organisations
• Personal care assistants

• Social and community services

Examples and Scenarios:

1. Personal Care: A participant needs assistance getting showered and dressed each morning.
2. Meal Preparation: Funding is used for support with preparing food.

3. Community Access: Support worker takes participant to swimming lessons or art classes.
4. Incontinence Supplies: Purchasing continence aids through NDIS funding.

Costs & Duration:

• Typically funded as an ongoing, annual allocation.

• Average expenditure varies. According to NDIS Quarterly Report (Q1 2023-24), Core Supports make up around 65% of plan budgets on average.
• Funds can be adjusted based on reassessment of needs.

2. Capacity Building Supports

Capacity Building Supports are about helping you to become more independent with targeted skill development, therapy, education, or employment support.

Main Sub-categories include:

• Support Coordination: Help to understand and implement your plan (find providers, schedule services, build confidence).
• Improved Living Arrangements: Assistance finding and holding housing.

• Increased Social and Community Participation: Skill development and training.
• Finding and Keeping a Job: Employment-related supports.
• Improved Relationships: Behavioural therapy and interventions.

• Improved Health and Wellbeing: Help with exercise or diet.
• Improved Learning: Help transitioning to further education.
• Improved Daily Living: Therapy, such as occupational therapy, physio, or speech.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Funding is specifically allocated to each plan goal — not flexible between sub-categories.
• You must use this funding for the area it’s allocated to (e.g., you can’t use Employment support funding for Improved Daily Living).
• Focuses on long-term goals, not day-to-day care.

Relevant Professionals:

• Occupational therapists, physiotherapists
• Psychologists, counsellors, behaviour support practitioners
• Support coordinators

• Employment agencies
• Dietitians, exercise physiologists

Examples and Scenarios:

1. Therapy for a Child: Sam, a 7-year-old with ASD, has funding for weekly speech therapy.

2. Support Coordination: After moving to Australia, Ayesha gets support coordination to navigate different providers and services in her area.
3. Employment Support: Jake uses his NDIS plan for career coaching and supported workplace induction.

Costs & Duration:

• Funding levels vary based on goals and needs. Average spend statistics are available via the NDIS Quarterly Reports.

• Services are usually ongoing, planned per session (e.g., therapy at $193.99/hr per NDIS Price Guide July 2023).
• Regular reviews and reporting by providers required.

3. Capital Supports

Capital Supports are to fund more expensive, one-off purchases (not everyday costs). These items need to be reasonable and necessary to support your goals.

Two Main Sub-categories:

• Assistive Technology (AT): Equipment, technology, or systems to improve independence, e.g., wheelchairs, communication devices, prosthetics, smart home devices.
• Home Modifications: Alterations to make your home safer and easier to move around, e.g., ramps, bathroom renovations, widened doorways.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Restricted funding — must be used for what is stated in the plan.
• Usually requires assessment, quotes, and NDIA approval before purchase.
• Items remain with the participant even if they change providers or if their plan changes.

Common Providers/Professionals:

• Occupational therapists (for AT assessment & recommendations)
• Home