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When you receive your NDIS plan, it is divided into budgets that support different areas of your life. One of these important budgets is called capacity building. This funding is designed to help you grow independence, develop practical skills, and work towards achieving your personal goals step by step.
Compared to your everyday support, NDIS capacity building supports consider long-term development. They will provide you with opportunities to improve in the future and not just today. This support is on the basis of your moving forward in a way that will still be beneficial to your life in the future.
Capacity building can involve therapeutic interventions, training sessions or activities. Here are a few examples of how you can be assisted, how to communicate better, learn skills of working with people, and how to cope with your everyday duties with self-confidence. The general goal is to equip you with means that will lead to a more independent, gratifying, and self-directed way of life.
What is NDIS Capacity Building?
Capacity building is one of the three main NDIS budgets. The other two are core support and capital support, and each plays a different role. Capacity building is not about meeting daily needs or funding equipment but about building skills that help you grow more independent over time.
Unlike your core budget, which can be flexible across categories, capacity building is more specific. The funding is linked directly to the goals in your NDIS plan. This means the money can only be used in certain categories, such as health, learning, employment, or daily living supports.
These supports are focused on long-term improvements. For example, if your goal is to study, funding may cover support with applications or training. If your goal is to work, it might include job mentoring. Each support is carefully matched to your goals, so progress feels personal and achievable.
What Can Capacity Building Support Cover?
Capacity building NDIS funding can pay for a wide range of supports. These are aimed at helping you improve skills and take more control over your daily life. Examples include:
The important fact is that this financing is bound to your objectives. As an example, when you want to get a job, training or mentoring might be part of your capacity building budget. In case you wish to become more independent in your life, it may pay therapies or assistance to get aid in your daily chores.
The Three Types of NDIS Funding
The NDIS divides support into three main categories:
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Core Supports –
Everyday assistance such as personal care, consumables, and transport. This budget is flexible across its four areas. -
Capacity Building Supports –
Focused on long-term independence and skill development. This budget is category specific. -
Capital Supports –
Used for one-off purchases like assistive technology or home modifications. This budget is not flexible.
Knowing the difference between these helps you use your plan more effectively.
Capacity Building Supports: Categories
There are nine categories within the capacity building NDIS budget. Your funding may cover some or all of these, depending on your goals.
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Support Coordination –
A fixed budget to help you understand and use your plan. -
Improved Living Arrangements –
Support to find and maintain the right home. -
Increased Social and Community Participation –
Training and interventions to assist you with becoming a part of community and social activities. -
Finding and Keeping a Job –
The training, mentoring or workplace support. -
Improved Relationships –
Behavioural support and therapies to develop positive relationships. -
Improved Health and Wellbeing –
Nutrition or exercise information to enhance your health results. -
Improved Learning –
Assistance with school to college or training. -
Improved Life Choices –
Funding for plan management, giving you more flexibility and control. -
Improved Daily Living –
Therapies and training to build skills for everyday independence.
Examples of Capacity Building Supports
Here are some capacity building NDIS examples:
- Occupational therapy to help with daily living skills
- Speech therapy to improve communication
- Behaviour therapy for building relationships
- Support with study or learning new skills
- Exercise programs guided by a professional
- Training to use public transport independently
- Help finding and keeping a job
These activities give you the tools to live with greater confidence and independence.
Capacity Building Funding Rules
It’s important to know that funding in one capacity building category cannot be used in another. For example, you cannot move money from “Finding and Keeping a Job” to “Improved Daily Living.”
But, even within a category, you are free to select which services or providers to use. This gives you the opportunity to customize supports according to your requirements without going outside NDIS principles.
Managing Your Capacity Building Funding
Many participants find NDIS funding complex. Managing your plan yourself can be time-consuming and stressful. This is where a plan manager can help.
With plan management, you have more choice and control over your capacity building supports while avoiding the heavy admin tasks. A plan manager checks the invoices, maintains financial accounts, and assists you in learning how to control your money. This implies that you are able to concentrate on accomplishing your goals rather than paperwork.
Final Thoughts
Capacity building NDIS supports are about much more than short-term help. They are designed to give you the skills, confidence, and independence to live the life you want. From learning daily tasks to improving health, relationships, or work opportunities, these supports make a lasting difference.
At Care Compatible – Disability Support Services Melbourne, we are here to help you understand and use your plan in the best way possible. With the right support, you can take control of your goals and build a brighter future.