What’s the difference between Core, Capacity Building, and Capital supports?
- Arthur Solomon
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Understanding the three NDIS support budgets lets you pick the right funding at the right time and steer your plan with confidence.
The three budgets at a glance
Budget | Purpose | Common examples | How flexible? |
Core | Pays for everyday supports linked to your current needs | Personal care, cleaning, consumables, community access, transport | Most flexible; funds usually move between the four Core categories |
Capacity Building | Builds skills and independence for future goals | Support coordination, job readiness, therapy, healthy living programs | Only flexible within each of the eight sub-categories |
Capital | Covers one-off, higher-cost items or property works | Wheelchairs, communication devices, bathroom modifications, SDA housing | Least flexible; funds locked to the approved item and need quotes |
Why the budgets matter
NDIS funding arrives in separate buckets so you can match each goal with the right support and stay within the “reasonable and necessary” rules. Knowing what sits in each bucket helps you:
avoid payment delays;
move flexible funds where they are allowed; and
ask for a plan change when life shifts.
Core supports — everyday assistance
Core support funding keeps day-to-day life on track.
What it pays for
Assistance with Daily Life: personal care, meal prep, household tasks.
Transport: travel to work, study or community events when public transport is not an option.
Consumables: continence aids, low-cost assistive tech under $1,500.
Social & Community Participation: a worker to join you at sport, arts or study groups.
How to use it
You can usually shift Core money between its four categories. The main restrictions are stated supports and periodic transport payments that arrive in your bank account.
Benefits
Quick way to adjust support hours as your skills grow.
Lets you test new community activities without changing the rest of your plan.
Encourages you to swap tasks you can now manage for areas where you still need help.
Ask yourself: Which daily tasks still drain my energy? Could moving funds between Core categories free up time for something I enjoy?
Capacity Building supports — skills and independence
Capacity Building funds programs that lift your autonomy over time.
Sub-categories
Support Coordination — expertise to navigate providers.
Improved Living Arrangements — finding the right home.
Increased Social & Community Participation — skill training for hobbies or study.
Finding & Keeping a Job — school-leaver employment supports.
Improved Relationships — positive behaviour strategies.
Improved Health & Wellbeing — diet or exercise advice (no gym fees).
Improved Learning — TAFE or uni transition help.
Improved Life Choices & Daily Living — plan management and therapy.
Key rules
Funds stay inside the chosen sub-category; you can’t dip into job supports to pay therapy invoices.
Many programs run for a set block of sessions, so track hours closely.
Benefits
Develops skills you will keep long after the budget is spent.
Reduces future reliance on paid support by boosting self-management.
Opens doors to study and paid work, expanding your income options.
Reflect: Which skill would make the biggest difference to my week? Can capacity funding help me learn it?
Capital supports — one-off investments
Capital supports funding buys physical items or major changes to your environment.
What it covers
Assistive Technology: wheelchairs, power-assist hubs, computer access tools.
Home Modifications: rails, ramps, bathroom rebuilds, environmental controls.
Specialist Disability Accommodation: purpose-built housing for very high needs.
Access steps
Assessment from an allied health professional confirming the item is reasonable and necessary.
Written quotes for equipment or building works.
NDIA approval before purchase (funds are locked to the item once approved).
Benefits
Major safety gains: fewer falls, easier transfers.
Long-term cost savings compared with high daily support hours.
Boosts confidence by removing physical barriers at home or in the community.
Think about: Is there a single piece of equipment that would slash your need for hands-on support?
Making changes to your plan
Life moves, and your plan can too.
When you can ask
Significant change in circumstances: new job, house move, health shift.
Your current budget is running out faster than planned.
You have new goals the plan does not cover.
How to start
Gather fresh evidence (reports, quotes, goal statements).
Contact your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator.
Request a plan reassessment or a lighter “participant check-in” if you only need minor tweaks.
Longer plans of 24–36 months are becoming the norm, but you can still trigger a review at any time.
Using flexibility wisely
Remember these tips before spending:
Core money is the easiest to move; check the myplace portal to confirm category balances first.
Capacity Building funds stay inside their sub-category; plan programs early so hours last the full year.
Capital funds cannot cover repairs or consumables unless the item was approved for that purpose.
Every purchase must relate directly to your disability and give clear value for money under NDIA rules.
Bringing it all together
Core, Capacity Building and Capital budgets work like three tools in one kit. Core keeps life running right now. Capacity Building shapes the skills you want for the future. Capital funding removes physical roadblocks once and for all. Map each goal to the matching tool, monitor spending in the myplace portal, and reach out early if life changes. Your choices drive the plan, the budgets simply back you up.
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