What can I spend my NDIS funding on? Budgets, the supports lists and common grey areas

Short answer: You can spend NDIS funding on supports that are in your plan, are on the legal list of NDIS supports, relate to your disability and help you work towards your goals. You can't spend it on everyday living costs like groceries, rent or utilities, or on things another system should pay for, like Medicare-funded health care or school education.

Key points

• Your plan has budgets — usually Core, Capacity Building and Capital.
• The law lists what the NDIS can fund (37 categories) and what it can't (15 categories).
• Funding is usually released every 3 months.
• Replacement supports need approval before you buy.

How your budgets work

Most plans have three types of budget:

Core supports — help with everyday activities. Examples: help with personal care, support to get out into the community, everyday consumables like continence products, and some transport.

Capacity building supports — help you build skills and independence. Examples: therapy (OT, speech, physio, psychology), support coordination, help finding work, and improved daily living skills.

Capital supports — larger one-off costs. Examples: assistive technology such as wheelchairs or communication devices, home modifications, and Specialist Disability Accommodation.

Some funding is flexible (you can move it between supports in the same category) and some is stated (it can only be used for the specific support written in your plan). Your plan will tell you which is which.

The NDIS supports lists

Since late 2024, the NDIS Act has set out:

• a list of NDIS supports — 37 categories of supports the NDIS can fund, such as assistance with daily life, therapy supports, assistive technology and home modifications
• a list of things that are not NDIS supports — 15 categories, such as day-to-day living costs, things that are the responsibility of other systems (health, education, justice, housing), gambling and illegal activities

A support must be on the NDIS supports list and be reasonable and necessary for you. That means it relates to your disability, helps with your goals, is value for money, is likely to work, and isn't more appropriately funded elsewhere.

Replacement supports

Some items that aren't normally NDIS supports can be approved as a replacement support if they replace a more expensive NDIS support and are cheaper — for example, a standard household item that does the job of specialised equipment. You need approval from the NDIA before you buy. Ask via 1800 800 110 or the my NDIS portal.

Common grey areas

When in doubt, check the NDIS's Would we fund it? guides or ask the NDIA before spending.

Funding periods: why you can't spend it all at once

For new or reassessed plans from 19 May 2025, the NDIA releases funding in funding periods — usually every 3 months. You can only spend what's been released in the current period. Unspent funds generally roll into the next period within the same plan.

This means it pays to plan your spending. If a big therapy block or equipment purchase will exceed one period's funding, talk to your provider about spreading it, or ask the NDIA about the timing.

Coming in 2027: from 1 February 2027, plan renewals replace plan continuations and unspent funds will no longer carry over from one plan to the next. See NDIS changes 2026–2028.

Getting the most from your plan

• Book providers early — good ones fill up.
• Ask for quotes and check them against the price limits.
• Track your balance in the my NDIS app or through your plan manager.
• If your funding isn't enough, ask about a plan variation or reassessment.

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