NDIS Support Categories: Core vs Capacity vs Capital

What the 3 NDIS support categories are (quick overview)

The NDIS groups supports into three categories: Core, Capacity Building and Capital. Knowing the differences helps you understand what can be funded, how it’s delivered, and what to look for when you’re choosing supports (and providers).

Core supports help you with the day-to-day things you need to live and participate. This can include personal care, assistance with daily activities, help to get around, or support with household tasks. If your plan says you need these supports to function safely and comfortably right now, they usually fall under Core.

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence over time. This might include therapy goals, learning daily living skills, building independence with communication, or improving your ability to manage health and wellbeing. These supports are often about making progress, not only ongoing help.

Capital supports help with one-off or long-term items and modifications, like assistive technology (where applicable) or home/rental modifications to improve access and safety. Capital is usually for items and changes that directly support your needs, rather than ongoing day-to-day staffing.

Key takeaway: Core = help now, Capacity Building = build skills for later, and Capital = equipment or modifications that support long-term access.

If you’re comparing providers, it can help to check which parts of your goals they can support in each category. My Care Finders can help you compare options and understand what to ask. If you manage your plan in a more flexible way (for example, using plan management), tools like MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) can support clearer processing of eligible funding and invoices.

• Core: daily living and support to participate
• Capacity Building: therapy and skill-building toward more independence
• Capital: assistive items and home/rental modifications (long-term changes)