NDIS Money Basics: Key terms and what they mean

Quick glossary: funding, budgets, supports, and categories

NDIS funding is money the NDIS approves for specific supports, based on the goals in your plan. Your plan can include support categories and funding types. In practice, this means you don’t “buy anything you want”; you choose services that match what the NDIS has approved (or what’s later approved through plan reviews or changes). If you’re comparing providers, My Care Finders can help you understand what to ask and how to compare options that fit your needs and budget.

A budget is the amount of NDIS funding set for a type of support in your plan. Some budgets are short term and may change across plan periods. Keeping simple records (service bookings, invoices, and dates) helps you track what’s been used and what’s left. If you use plan management, your budget may be managed through MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au), which can make it easier to pay providers and manage paperwork.

Supports are the practical things that help you reach your goals, like personal care, therapy sessions, assistive technology, or support coordination. The NDIS groups these under categories, such as Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports, and Capital Supports. Your category affects how supports are funded and what rules apply—for example, some supports are about daily living (Core), others build skills and capacity (Capacity Building), and some relate to purchases and equipment (Capital).

Key takeaway: Funding is approved for specific support types in your plan, so always check the category and budget rules before you book a service.

• Participant: You, the person the plan is for.
• Plan: Your individual document showing goals, supports, and funding.
• Core Supports: Help with everyday living and care needs.
• Capacity Building Supports: Helps you build independence and skills.
• Capital Supports: Items like assistive technology (rules apply).
• Plan management: A third party helps pay providers and manage claims.