The shortest answer to “what does the NDIS cover” is this. The NDIS pays for supports that are reasonable and necessary for your disability, that the market does not already pay for, and that help you live the life you want.
That sounds simple. In practice, every plan is different. Below is a plain English breakdown of the four big categories you will hear about, and a quick test you can run on any support to see if it might fit.
The four big budget categories
Most plans put funding into a mix of four budgets.
Core Supports. Day to day help. Personal care, household tasks, transport, social and community participation. This is the budget that pays for support workers showing up at your house.
Capacity Building. Skill-building. Things like therapy, life-skills coaching, employment support, and help managing your plan. This budget grows your ability to do things over time.
Capital Supports. Bigger items. Wheelchairs, home modifications, vehicle modifications, assistive technology over $1,500. The NDIA usually wants an assessment before approving these.
Recurrent Supports. Specialised supports that need a regular spend, like Supported Independent Living. Less common, but important when it applies.
Your plan does not have to use every budget. A plan can be entirely Core, or heavy on Capacity Building. It depends on your goals.
What the NDIS does not cover
The NDIS does not double up with other services. It does not cover:
- General health care (Medicare covers this)
- Mental health treatment provided by Medicare or state services
- School education and tuition fees
- Rent, food, utility bills, or other living costs
- Income support payments (Centrelink covers this)
- Costs that any non-disabled person would also pay
So a support worker who comes shopping with you, yes. The groceries themselves, no. A home modification ramp, yes. Your weekly mortgage payment, no.
The “reasonable and necessary” test
The NDIA uses this test on every support request. To pass the test, the support must:
- Relate to your disability
- Help you pursue your goals
- Represent value for money
- Be effective and beneficial for you
- Take into account informal supports like family
- Not be the responsibility of another system
You do not need to memorise these. But if you can answer “yes” to each one for a support, the NDIA will probably approve it. If you struggle on one or two, that is where a good provider, planner, or support coordinator can help with the wording.
Where to check before you spend
Not sure whether a support is covered? Try these steps:
- Read your plan and look for the wording in your goals
- Talk to your support coordinator or LAC
- Ring the NDIA on 1800 800 110
- Ask a provider (we are happy to take these calls even if you are not a participant yet)
A quick example
Say you want to learn how to cook three simple meals so you can stay independent at home. Cooking lessons with a support worker are usually covered under Capacity Building (Development of Life Skills). The food itself is not covered, because everyone has to buy groceries.
That is the test in action.
The bottom line
The NDIS funds supports that match your goals and your disability. Most participants get the most out of their plan by using it on the things they cannot do alone, that no other system pays for. When in doubt, ask. Plans are flexible, and providers are used to these questions.
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