NDIS funding – what to expect
Find out what the NDIS will and won't fund.
We are regularly asked what the NDIS will and won’t fund, and we sometimes hear a few misconceptions floating around.
Below is chart that will answer some common ‘what does the NDIS fund’ questions. The answers are based on what the NDIS will fund and what we’ve seen in plans. Please note that this is general information only and you should seek advice from your NDIS planner in relation to your circumstances.
Examples of what the NDIS will and won’t fund
The key thing to remember when working out what will and won’t be funded, is that the NDIS will only fund ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports. When considering what is reasonable and necessary, the NDIS takes into account informal supports, such as support provided by family members as well as other formal (mainstream) supports, such as health and education.
| The NDIS won’t fund | One reason WHY the NDIS won’t fund this | Depending on your goals, the NDIS MAY fund | One reason WHY this may be funded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner out at a restaurant so you can have a meal and get out into the community and participate in social activities. | Dinner at a restaurant is an everyday expense not related to your disability. | A disability support worker (DSW) to support you with going out to dinner, if you’re unable to go to dinner on your own because of your disability, or Training in food preparation or cooking, or support to get your shopping, and prepare your meals at home. | A DSW is funded because this is support you needed to meet your goal of participating more in the community and social activities. Training is funded so you can learn to prepare your own meals at home – building your capacity to live more independently, reducing your reliance on funded and informal supports. |
| A Myki card to pay for your public transport journeys because you can’t drive. | This is an everyday living cost for many people. | Travel training to build your capacity to travel into the community more independently. | If traveling more independently relates to one of your NDIS goals and will help you to take part in the community or find work, travel may be funded under Capacity Building Supports. |
| The cost of attending a beauty salon for waxing or other personal care services (things you can’t do yourself). | Many people choose to have this service performed at a beauty salon for a cost, and it’s considered an everyday expense. This isn’t a disability related cost. | Assistance with your daily living and hygiene needs from a disability support worker, or The NDIS may also provide funding for a person to support you to get to a beauty salon if you need it, and there you can purchase personal care services with your own money. | Support to meet your needs if you can’t do things yourself because of your disability, or if you don’t have an informal support to assist you with this. Support to access community may be funded if this relates to your goals. |
| Adjustments to your workplace to ensure it is accessible for you. | This is the responsibility of your employer. | Job skills training to get you the skills you need to find a job, or Support with your daily personal care activities at home, to get you ready to go to work for the day. | Training and personal care support may be funded under Capacity Building if you have employment related goals. This support may help you to find paid or voluntary work, and it would be beneficial to you. |
| The cost of your entry to a music festival. | This is a living expense many people choose to have, it doesn’t relate to your disability. | A disability support worker to support you to attend the music festival. | A DSW can support you to participate in the community, when you otherwise might be unable to because of your disability. |
| Cost of the internet at your home so you can download communication apps on your iPad, and do other things on the internet | The internet is an everyday expense - many people choose to have the internet. | Cost of assessment by a speech therapist to determine what types of communication assistance you require. The purchase cost of communication and assistive technology apps. | Assessment by a speech therapist may be funded by the NDIS if this is likely to be beneficial in assisting you to achieve your goals (for example if your goal is to improve your communication), and Communication and assistive technology apps that are recommended by a health professional for you to meet goals may be funded. |
Need more advice or help?
Frequently asked questions: We have covered some of the most asked questions in our FAQ’s here.
Download our free NDIS guides: To make the most of the NDIS, you can download Yooralla’s free NDIS guides for adults or carers with disability or for parents of children with disability to help prepare for the NDIS.
Book a free one-on-one NDIS discussion: To discuss your individual circumstances and better understand the NDIS, book in for a free one-on-one NDIS discussion with Yooralla Connect.
Contact us: For more information or support email yoorallaconnect@yooralla.com.au or contact us today.