What can I spend my NDIS funding on?
Reviewed by the My Care Link Australia Editorial Team · Last reviewed
NDIS funding pays for supports that relate to your disability, are reasonable and necessary, and help you pursue the goals written into your plan. It does not pay for ordinary living costs everyone has. This guide gives you the yes list, the no list, and a simple test for the grey area in between.
The three budgets, and why they matter
Your plan is split into up to three budgets, and they do not behave the same way.
- Core Supports — the flexible one. Support workers, help at home, community access, consumables and often transport. In most plans you can move funding between Core categories.
- Capacity Building — tied to specific categories. Therapy, support coordination, employment supports and improved daily living. You generally cannot move funding from one Capacity Building category to another.
- Capital — locked to the item it was approved for. Assistive technology, home modifications, SDA.
Most confusion about "can I buy this" is really a question about which budget it would come from.
Commonly funded — the yes list
- Support worker hours for personal care, daily tasks and community access
- Cleaning, gardening and other help at home where disability prevents you doing it
- Therapy — occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology, exercise physiology
- Behaviour support and the plans that come with it
- Support coordination and plan management where funded
- Assistive technology — equipment that relates to your disability
- Home and vehicle modifications approved in your plan
- Transport funding where disability prevents you using public transport
- Supported independent living and short-term accommodation (respite) where approved
Not funded — the no list
- Everyday living costs everyone has — rent, groceries, utilities, phone bills
- Supports better provided by the health system, such as hospital treatment, GP visits and medication
- School tuition and standard education costs
- Anything unrelated to your disability
- Anything likely to cause harm or pose a risk to others
- Duplicated supports already funded by another government service
Some things sit at the edge — a gym membership, a tablet, a holiday. These are decided case by case on the evidence of how they relate to your disability and goals, not on a list.
A simple test for the grey area
Before asking anyone else, run the purchase past these four questions. If you cannot answer all four, the answer is probably no.
- Does it relate directly to my disability?
- Does it help me pursue a goal written in my plan?
- Is it value for money compared with the alternatives?
- Would most people without a disability have to pay for this themselves anyway?
If you answer yes to the first three and no to the last, it is worth asking. Put the question to your plan manager or support coordinator in writing before you buy — a decision after the purchase is much harder to argue.
Who to ask when you are unsure
Your plan manager can tell you whether a claim is likely to be paid. A support coordinator can tell you whether it fits your goals and find a provider who delivers it. The NDIA on 1800 800 110 is the final word on what your plan covers.
If what you need is simply the right provider, tell us what you are looking for — that part is free.
About this guide. Written and reviewed by the My Care Link Australia team as general information for NDIS and aged care participants, families and support coordinators. Read our editorial guidelines and provider review process.
This guide is general educational information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your individual situation, please speak with the appropriate qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use NDIS funding for groceries or rent?
No. Everyday living costs that everyone has, such as rent, food and utilities, are not funded by the NDIS.
Can I move money between NDIS budgets?
Core Supports are usually flexible between categories. Capacity Building is tied to each category, and Capital funding is locked to the approved item.
Can NDIS funding pay for a gym membership?
Sometimes, but it is decided case by case. It generally needs to be linked to a disability-related goal and supported by evidence, often from an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.
What happens if I claim something that is not covered?
The claim can be rejected, and in some cases you may have to repay it. Ask your plan manager in writing before buying anything you are unsure about.
Does unspent NDIS funding roll over?
No. Unspent funding does not carry over to the next plan, and consistent underspend can affect future plans.
Related services
NDIS Plan Management
We manage invoices and budgets so you can focus on the support.
NDIS Support Coordination
Help understanding and making the most of your NDIS plan.
NDIS Assistive Technology
Equipment and devices for mobility, communication and independence.
NDIS Home Modifications
Ramps, rails, NDIS bathroom modifications and structural changes for accessibility.
Get free help finding a provider
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We'll use this information to connect you with suitable providers.
Sources and further reading
Rules, funding amounts and wait times change. We check these primary sources when we update this page, and you should confirm current details directly with them.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Official scheme information, eligibility and current processes.
- How to apply for the NDIS(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Current access request steps and forms.
- Understanding your NDIS plan budget(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. How plan management and budget categories work.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission(opens in a new tab) — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider registration, practice standards and complaints.
- Services Australia — Disability Support Pension(opens in a new tab) — Services Australia. Income support eligibility and claim process.