A Beginner’s Guide to NDIS Support Categories
A Beginner’s Guide to NDIS Support Categories
If you’re new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), one of the first things you’ll come across is support categories. These categories explain how funding in your plan is divided and what types of supports you can access.
For many participants, understanding support categories feels confusing at first — but once you know the basics, it becomes much easier to see how your plan works and how to use your funding.
This beginner’s guide will walk you through the NDIS support categories, explain the difference between Core, Capital, and Capacity Building, and show how they can help you achieve your goals.
What Are NDIS Support Categories?
NDIS support categories are essentially budget areas in your plan. They tell you what you can spend money on and help ensure your supports are aligned with your needs and goals.
There are three main types of support budgets in the NDIS:
Core Supports
Capital Supports
Capacity Building Supports
Each has different categories within it, and together they make up your full NDIS plan.
Core Supports
Core Supports help you with everyday activities and essential needs. This is often the most flexible part of an NDIS plan.
Categories within Core Supports include:
Assistance with Daily Life – help with household tasks, personal care, and in-home support.
Transport – funding to help you travel to work, study, or community activities if you can’t use public transport.
Consumables – everyday items like continence products or low-cost assistive technology.
Assistance with Social & Community Participation – support to take part in social, recreational, or community-based activities.
Core Supports can often be shifted between categories (with some exceptions), giving you flexibility to use your funding where it’s needed most.
Capital Supports
Capital Supports are for big-ticket items or long-term investments. They are usually less flexible and must be used exactly as allocated.
Categories within Capital Supports include:
Assistive Technology – equipment like wheelchairs, communication devices, or mobility aids.
Home Modifications – changes to your living environment, such as ramps, bathroom alterations, or rails.
These supports require specialist assessments and approval before they can be included in your plan.
Capacity Building Supports
Capacity Building Supports are designed to help you develop skills, independence, and long-term abilities. Unlike Core Supports, funding here is allocated for specific purposes and is not interchangeable.
Categories within Capacity Building Supports include:
Improved Living Arrangements – support in finding and maintaining housing.
Increased Social & Community Participation – activities that build confidence, independence, and social skills.
Finding & Keeping a Job – employment-related supports such as training or workplace assistance.
Improved Relationships – therapy or behaviour supports to build positive connections.
Improved Health & Wellbeing – exercise physiology, dietetics, or personal training (not standard gym memberships).
Improved Learning – training and supports to build study skills.
Improved Life Choices – Plan Management services.
Improved Daily Living – therapies such as speech, occupational therapy, or psychology.
Why Understanding Support Categories Matters
Knowing how your NDIS plan is structured is important because it:
Helps you make the most of your funding
Ensures you’re aware of what supports are available
Reduces confusion when booking services or choosing providers
Gives you confidence when speaking with your Support Coordinator or the NDIA
When you understand your categories, you have greater choice and control over your plan.
Support Categories with ProCare Solution
At ProCare Solution, we understand that navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming at first. Our team is here to:
Explain your plan in simple, clear language
Help you understand each support category
Guide you in using your funding effectively
Connect you with trusted providers for the services you need
Our goal is to make your NDIS journey less stressful and more empowering.
Final Thoughts: Your Guide to NDIS Categories
While the NDIS uses a lot of technical language, support categories are simply the way funding is organised. Once you know the three main budgets — Core, Capital, and Capacity Building — it becomes much easier to see how your plan can support you in everyday life and in working towards long-term goals.
At ProCare Solution, we’re here to help you every step of the way, making sure your plan works for you.
Contact us via our contact page to find out how we can help you understand and use your NDIS support categories.
Key Summary
NDIS support categories divide your plan funding into different areas.
There are three main types: Core, Capital, and Capacity Building Supports.
Core Supports are flexible for daily needs, Capital is for big items, and Capacity Building develops skills and independence.
ProCare Solution helps participants navigate their categories with clarity and confidence.
