Practical guides, a jargon-free glossary and trusted services to help you make the most of the NDIS.
Understanding your NDIS plan.
Your NDIS plan sets out your goals and the funding the NDIA has approved to help you pursue them. Funding is split into three main budgets.
Core supports
Everyday supports: help with daily life, consumables, transport and social and community participation. Usually the most flexible budget.
Capacity Building supports
Supports that build your skills and independence over time, including Support Coordination, recovery coaching, therapies and employment support.
Capital supports
One-off investments like assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Your plan also shows how your funding is managed: by the NDIA, by a plan manager, by you (self-managed), or a combination. This affects which providers you can use and how invoices are paid. A Support Coordinator or Recovery Coach can walk you through every section of your plan so you know exactly what’s possible.
Preparing for your plan reassessment.
A little preparation goes a long way. Use this checklist in the months before your plan reassessment.
- Write down what has worked well, and what hasn’t, during this plan
- Collect reports from therapists, clinicians and your Support Coordinator or Recovery Coach
- Think about your goals for the next plan, both short and long term
- Note any changes in your health, living situation or support needs
- Check how much of each budget you’ve used, and why
- Decide who you’d like with you at the meeting for support
NDIS terms, explained.
The NDIS has its own language. Search our glossary of common terms.
- Capacity Building supports
- Funding to build your independence and skills over time, including Support Coordination, recovery coaching, therapies and skill development.
- Choice and control
- Your right to decide what supports you use, who provides them and how they are delivered.
- Core supports
- Funding for everyday activities, such as assistance with daily life, consumables, transport and social and community participation.
- Capital supports
- Funding for assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
- LAC (Local Area Coordinator)
- A partner organisation of the NDIA that helps people understand and access the NDIS, and links them with community supports.
- NDIA
- The National Disability Insurance Agency, the government agency that runs the NDIS.
- NDIS Commission
- The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints.
- Plan management
- How your NDIS funding is managed and paid: NDIA-managed, plan-managed (by a plan manager) or self-managed, or a combination.
- Plan reassessment
- The process of reviewing your NDIS plan, usually before it ends or when your circumstances change, to create a new plan.
- Psychosocial disability
- A disability that may arise from a mental health condition, which affects a person’s ability to take part in daily life.
- Recovery plan
- A personal plan made with your recovery coach that captures your goals, strengths, supports and strategies for wellbeing.
- Service agreement
- A written agreement between you and a provider that sets out the supports, costs and responsibilities of each party.
- Service booking
- A record in the NDIS system that sets aside funding from your plan for a specific provider.
- Support Coordinator
- A person who helps you understand and implement your NDIS plan and coordinate your supports.
Trusted places to find support.
If you need urgent help, call 000. These services can also help.
Connecting Plans to Possibilities.
Want someone to go through your plan with you?
Have a question about your NDIS plan, or ready to get started? Have a free, no-pressure chat with our team. We’ll listen first, then explain your options in plain language.