Introduction
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds a wide range of supports designed to help participants live more independently, participate in their communities and achieve their goals.
These supports are organised into structured NDIS support categories, which determine how funding can be used within a participant’s plan.
Understanding the different categories helps participants, clinicians and support coordinators identify:
- what services the NDIS may fund
- what evidence may be required
- how supports link to functional needs
If you want to understand how funding is structured within NDIS plans, read our guide to NDIS Funding Categories Explained.
What Is an NDIS Support Category?
An NDIS support category is a classification used by the National Disability Insurance Scheme to organise the different services and supports that may be funded within a participant’s plan.
Support categories determine how funding can be used for services such as:
- support workers
- therapy services
- assistive technology
- housing supports
- community participation
NDIS Funding Categories Overview
| Funding Category | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Core Supports | Assistance with everyday activities and participation |
| Capacity Building Supports | Therapy services and skill development |
| Capital Supports | Equipment, assistive technology and housing |
Full List of NDIS Support Categories
| NDIS Support Category | Example Supports |
|---|---|
| Assistance with Daily Personal Activities | Support workers, personal care |
| Transport | Travel assistance to appointments |
| Consumables | Continence products and daily living aids |
| Assistance with Social and Community Participation | Community access supports |
| Improved Daily Living | Occupational therapy, psychology, speech therapy |
| Improved Relationships | Behaviour support services |
| Support Coordination | Coordination of services |
| Assistive Technology | Wheelchairs and communication devices |
| Home Modifications | Structural housing modifications |
| Specialist Disability Accommodation | Specialised housing supports |
Core Supports
Core supports assist participants with everyday activities and community participation.
Examples include:
- support workers for personal care
- household assistance
- community participation supports
- transport assistance
These supports are often recommended when disability affects a participant’s ability to complete daily activities independently.
Assessments describing functional limitations across the NDIS functional domains are commonly used to justify these supports.
Capacity Building Supports
Capacity Building supports focus on developing independence and skills.
- occupational therapy
- speech pathology
- psychology services
- behaviour support plans
- Functional Capacity Assessments
You can learn more about how clinicians describe support needs here:
NDIS Levels of Support Explained
Capital Supports
Capital supports fund higher cost equipment and housing supports.
- assistive technology
- mobility equipment
- home modifications
- Specialist Disability Accommodation
These supports often require strong clinical evidence demonstrating functional need.
Structured assessment tools such as the Care and Needs Scale (CANS) are sometimes used.
Evidence Often Required to Access NDIS Supports
The NDIA typically requires evidence describing how disability affects daily functioning.
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- therapist reports
- behaviour support assessments
- clinical assessments
- support worker observations
This evidence is often submitted as part of NDIS plan review evidence.
How the NDIA Decides What Supports Can Be Funded
All NDIS supports must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria under Section 34 of the NDIS Act.
This means the support must:
- relate directly to the participant’s disability
- help the participant pursue their goals
- improve independence or participation
- represent value for money
Need Evidence for an NDIS Plan Review?
Functional Capacity Assessments provide structured evidence describing how disability affects everyday functioning and what supports may be required.
Participants or providers can submit a referral here:
Final Thoughts
NDIS support categories help organise the wide range of services funded through the scheme.
Understanding how these categories work helps participants and clinicians identify what supports may be appropriate and what evidence may be required.