The quick answer
What can NDIS funds be used for? In general, NDIS funding can help pay for supports and services related to your disability, including assistance with everyday activities, equipment and therapies that meet the NDIS funding criteria. What you can use your funding for depends on your individual plan, your needs and the types of supports included in your budgets.
Key takeaways
Check your plan to understand what funding you have.
Understand the different budget types and how your plan is managed.
Ask for guidance before using funding if you are unsure.
Plan management
Plan management refers to how payments to providers are handled and how the funding in your NDIS plan is administered. There are three main options: self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed.
The short answer
NDIS funds can generally be used for disability-related supports that meet the NDIS funding criteria and fit within your plan.
These might include help with everyday activities, assistance to participate in the community, equipment or modifications, and therapies that support your physical function and independence.
However, not every service or expense is covered. The NDIS is designed to fund eligible disability supports rather than ordinary living expenses or healthcare that is more appropriately funded through other systems.
A useful starting point is to ask whether a support is related to your disability, meets the NDIS funding criteria and can be purchased using the funding available in your plan.
How NDIS funding works
NDIS funding is organised into budgets within your individual plan. These budgets help determine which supports you can purchase and how your funding can be used.
Your plan is based on your circumstances, disability support needs and goals. Two people with similar disabilities may have different plans because their individual needs and circumstances differ.
The way your plan is managed also affects how payments are handled.
The three ways your plan can be managed
- Self-managed: You or someone you nominate takes responsibility for managing the funding, paying providers and keeping financial records.
- Plan-managed: A registered plan manager handles payments to providers and helps you keep track of your available funding.
- NDIA-managed: The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) pays registered NDIS providers directly for eligible supports.
You may also have a combination of these arrangements across different parts of your plan.
The main budget types, in plain words
NDIS plans generally organise funding into three main budget types: Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports.
Each serves a different purpose.
Core Supports
Core Supports generally help with everyday activities and participation in daily life.
Examples may include assistance with personal care, support with daily tasks and help participating in social or community activities.
Some Core Supports funding can be used flexibly across support categories, although restrictions may apply.
Capacity Building Supports
Capacity Building Supports focus on developing skills, independence and the ability to participate in everyday activities.
Depending on your plan, these supports might include therapies, skill development and assistance with managing daily life.
This is where services such as physiotherapy may fit when they are disability-related and meet the relevant NDIS funding criteria.
Capital Supports
Capital Supports generally cover certain higher-cost items, equipment or modifications.
Examples may include assistive technology, such as mobility equipment, or modifications that make a home more accessible.
This funding is usually more specific about what it can be used for.
Good to know
Not every NDIS plan includes funding in all three budget types. Check your own plan to see which budgets and supports are available to you.
Where therapy like physio can fit
Physiotherapy can fit within NDIS funding when it addresses disability-related needs, meets the NDIS funding criteria and is consistent with the participant's plan.
Depending on your circumstances, therapy might focus on improving or maintaining movement, physical function, strength, balance or confidence with everyday activities.
For example, someone might work towards walking more confidently, managing transfers or participating in activities that matter to them.
Understanding what physiotherapy is can also help you decide whether it is relevant to your goals. Physiotherapy involves assessing movement and physical function, providing education and developing strategies such as exercise to help people manage physical difficulties.
What about chronic pain?
Physiotherapy for chronic pain may help people develop strategies to manage symptoms, maintain physical activity and improve their ability to participate in everyday life.
However, having chronic pain does not automatically mean that physiotherapy will be funded through the NDIS.
The important distinction is whether the proposed therapy addresses an eligible disability-related support need and meets the NDIS funding criteria. Treatment that is primarily for a general health condition may be more appropriately funded through the healthcare system.
At Wild Physio Fitness, we are a registered NDIS provider. We aim to understand what you want to achieve and how physiotherapy or exercise-based support might help you work towards those goals.
Questions to ask about your own plan
If you are looking at your first NDIS plan, it is understandable to have questions about what can NDIS funds be used for and how the different budgets work.
You do not need to understand every part of the NDIS straight away. Start by identifying the supports you need and asking how they relate to your plan.
Some useful questions include:
- What budgets are included in my plan?
- Which supports can I use each budget for?
- How is my plan managed, and who pays my providers?
- Can I use my funding for therapy related to my disability?
- Are there any restrictions or specific requirements I should know about?
- Who should I contact if I am unsure whether a support can be funded?
- Read through your NDIS plan and identify your available budgets.
- Write down the supports or services you think you might need.
- Check how your plan is managed.
- Ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator, support coordinator or plan manager about anything that is unclear.
Ways to manage your NDIS plan
| Way | Who pays providers | Good to know |
| Self-managed | You or your nominee arrange payment | You have greater responsibility for payments, claims and record keeping |
| Plan-managed | Your plan manager pays providers | A plan manager helps manage invoices and track funding |
| NDIA-managed | The NDIA pays registered NDIS providers directly | You generally need to use registered NDIS providers for these supports |
Keep track of your budgets
Regularly check your funding balance and record which supports you are using. This can help you understand your spending and plan for future support needs.
From the clinic
Although we cannot speak to everyone's experience with their first NDIS plan, we understand that navigating different budgets, funding arrangements and support options can be confusing. We encourage people to ask questions about their funding, understand how their supports relate to their goals and seek clarification from their planner, Local Area Coordinator, support coordinator or plan manager when needed.
Red flag: Unsure whether a support is covered?
Before committing your funding, speak with your planner or Local Area Coordinator, support coordinator or plan manager. They can help you understand your individual plan and where to seek further clarification.
You can also visit the official NDIS website at ndis.gov.au for information about funding, budgets and plan management.
Understanding your NDIS plan starts with knowing what support you need, what funding you have and who can help you use it.
What to do this week
Find your latest NDIS plan and review your budgets.
Write down one or two questions about your funding.
Speak with your support coordinator, plan manager or NDIS contact if you need clarification.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main NDIS budget types?
The three main budget types are Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports. Each helps fund different types of disability-related support.
Can NDIS funds be used for physiotherapy?
Yes, physiotherapy may be funded when it addresses your disability-related needs, meets the NDIS funding criteria and fits within your plan. Funding is not automatic, so check your individual circumstances.
What is the difference between self managed, plan managed and NDIA managed?
With self-management, you or your nominee manage payments and claims. With plan management, a plan manager handles provider payments. With NDIA management, the NDIA pays registered providers directly.
What can't NDIS funds be used for?
NDIS funding generally cannot be used for ordinary living expenses, supports unrelated to your disability, items that are not NDIS supports or services more appropriately funded by other systems, such as general healthcare. Check the NDIS website and your individual plan for guidance.
