What do the budgets in my plan mean?

Your NDIS plan groups funding into three main budget types:

Core - supports for your everyday activities. This is your most flexible budget: in most cases you can move funding between Core supports as your needs change. It covers things like daily personal activities, consumables (everyday items like continence products), social and community participation and transport.

Capacity Building - supports that build your skills and independence over time. Examples include therapy, employment support and plan management. Unlike Core, this funding stays within its set categories.

Capital - higher-cost items like assistive technology, equipment and home or vehicle modifications. This funding is tied to the specific items in your plan, often based on quotes.

If your plan is in the newer PACE system, you might also see a Recurring budget - regular payments (like transport allowance) paid directly to you.

Want help making sense of your specific plan? That's exactly what our Gurus do. Book a session or email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll walk you through it.

How can I use the money in my budget?

Every funded support in your plan sits in a support category, based on why you need it. You can spend flexibly within a category, but generally can't move money between categories. And if your plan lists a "stated support", that funding has to be used for that specific thing.

One newer thing to know: most plans now release funding in instalments called Funding Periods (usually every three months) rather than all at once. Anything you don't spend in one period rolls over to the next, within the same plan.

The golden rule for all spending: it needs to be an NDIS support that relates to your disability and helps you work towards your plan goals.

If you're ever unsure whether something's claimable, ask before you buy. Our Gurus answer these questions every day. Book a session or email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

What happens if I don't spend all of my funds this year?

Good news first: within your current plan, unspent funding isn't lost. Most plans now release funding in instalments called Funding Periods (usually every three months) and anything you don't use in one period rolls over and stays available for the rest of your plan.

When your plan ends, though, leftover funding doesn't carry into your next plan. And if you're consistently underspending, your planner may ask about it at your reassessment. Sometimes it leads to adjusted funding, but often it's a flag that you couldn't find the right providers or supports, which is worth raising.

The best approach: use your funding steadily across your plan if you can. If something's getting in the way - provider waitlists, not knowing what you can spend on - deal with it early rather than at the end.

If you're plan-managed with us, we track your spending and flag underspending well before it becomes a problem. Email hello@providerchoice.com.au if you'd like that kind of visibility.

What happens if I spend all my money before the end of my plan?

With Funding Periods, your plan releases funding in instalments (usually quarterly) rather than all upfront - which is designed to help prevent exactly this. You can use your current period's funding plus anything rolled over from earlier periods, but you can't borrow from future periods.

If you've used up what's available and genuinely need more support, you have options:

If it's a timing issue, your next funding period may be just around the corner
If your funding genuinely isn't enough for your needs, you can ask the NDIA for a plan reassessment. If the extra support is reasonable and necessary (fair, disability-related and something you need) your funding can be increased.

The key is acting early. If your spending is tracking faster than your plan, that's a conversation to have now, not when the funds run out.

This is one of the biggest things a plan manager helps with: we watch your budget with you so there are no surprises. Email hello@providerchoice.com.au to find out more.

How will I receive my money?

It depends on how your plan is managed:

Agency-managed (NDIA-managed): the NDIA pays your registered providers directly.
Plan-managed: your plan manager receives provider invoices and pays them on your behalf, keeping track of your budget as they go.
Self-managed: you pay providers yourself and the NDIS reimburses you through the portal - or you can claim first and then pay.

Whichever way you manage, most plans now release funding in instalments called Funding Periods (usually every three months) rather than the whole budget upfront. Unspent funds roll over between periods within your plan.

At Provider Choice, we plan-manage your funding. Email hello@providerchoice.com.au to chat about the best setup for you.

Is there a cap on how much I can receive through the NDIS?

There's no fixed dollar cap on an NDIS plan. Your funding is based on what's reasonable and necessary for your disability and your goals, so plans vary enormously from person to person.

What does exist is price limits on many supports. The NDIA publishes maximum prices providers can charge (the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits). If your plan is agency-managed or plan-managed, providers must charge within those limits. If you self-manage, you can choose to pay above them, though most providers price within the limits anyway.

So the real question isn't "what's the cap?" - it's "what supports do I need and can I show they're reasonable and necessary?" That's where good preparation for your planning meeting makes all the difference.

Want help building that case? Try our free preplanning tool or email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

The only limit on the supports the NDIS fund for you is what's reasonable and necessary for your disability.

There is a price guide for support services. This is based on what the NDIS think is fair and they'll pay that price for supports. If a service provider charges more than that price and you don't self-manage and still want to use them, you'll normally have to pay the difference.

What is the NDIS price guide?

What used to be called the NDIS Price Guide is now the NDIS Pricing Schedule, but it does the same job: it sets the maximum prices providers can charge for many NDIS supports.

Price limits exist to protect participants and make sure funding delivers value for money. They're reviewed at least annually, with updates usually taking effect on 1 July.

A few useful things to know:

Not every support has a price limit and the document isn't a complete list of everything the NDIS funds
If you're plan-managed or agency-managed, your providers must charge within the limits
If you self-manage, you can agree to pay more, but you rarely need to

You can find the current version on the NDIS website. And if you're plan-managed with us, you don't need to memorise it. We check every invoice against the current price limits for you.

What will the NDIS not pay for?

Since October 2024, there are official NDIS supports lists that spell out what NDIS funding can and can't be used for, so this is much clearer than it used to be.

In general, the NDIS won't fund:

Day-to-day living costs everyone has, like rent, groceries and utility bills
Supports that aren't related to your disability
Things better covered by other systems, like medical treatment (health system) or school fees (education)
Anything illegal, plus alcohol, tobacco and gambling

What it will fund is supports that relate to your disability and help you pursue your goals. That covers a lot, from support workers and therapy to assistive technology and home modifications.

There's also a replacement supports process: in some circumstances you can apply to use funding for an item that isn't a standard NDIS support, if it would do the same job better or cheaper (for example, some smart devices).

The full lists are on the NDIS website. And if you're ever unsure whether something's claimable, ask before you buy. Our Gurus check this stuff every day. Book a session or email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Does the NDIS fund transport?

Yes, if you can't use public transport because of your disability, the NDIS can fund transport support to help you get to work, study, appointments and community activities.

Transport funding is usually based on your situation: how much you're working or studying and how much travel your goals involve. Some participants receive a regular transport payment, while others have transport built into their support funding. If your needs are higher (for example, you work full-time and can't access public transport at all) funding can reflect that.

Two things worth knowing:

If you currently receive Mobility Allowance from Centrelink, it stops when your NDIS plan starts, because transport moves into your plan instead. Make sure transport is discussed at your planning meeting so nothing falls through the cracks.
The NDIS generally doesn't fund the transport itself for things like school transport, which other systems cover.

For the current details, see the NDIS transport page.

Does the NDIS fund medical expenses?

The NDIS and the health system split the bill and it helps to know which is which.

The NDIS funds disability-related supports (like therapies, early intervention and support workers to help you get to appointments), where they're reasonable and necessary for your disability.

The health system (Medicare, hospitals, private health) covers medical treatment: doctor's visits, medicines, surgery and treatment for illness or injury.

The line can occasionally feel blurry. For example, disability-related health supports (like continence or wound care linked to your disability) can be NDIS-funded. If you're not sure which side of the line something falls on, email us at hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you work it out.

Will the NDIS fund education?

The NDIS funds supports that help you access and participate in education, but not the education itself.

That means the NDIS can fund things like a support worker to help you get ready for school or uni, assistive technology you need to learn, or transport where your disability means you can't get there independently.

The education system covers the rest: fees, tutoring, teachers' aides and changes to school buildings are the responsibility of schools and education departments.

Moving from school to further study or work is also something the NDIS can support through Capacity Building funding. It's worth raising as a goal at your planning meeting. Have questions about an upcoming plan review? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Will the NDIS fund sport and exercise activities?

The NDIS won't pay for the things any club member pays like fees, uniforms or standard equipment. But it can fund the disability-related supports that make sport and exercise possible for you.

That can include:

A support worker to help you attend and participate
Exercise physiology, where it relates to managing your disability
Specialised equipment, like a sports wheelchair, where it's reasonable and necessary

So the question isn't "will the NDIS fund my sport?" - it's "what support do I need because of my disability to take part?" Frame it that way at your planning meeting, connected to a goal like building fitness or community participation.

Have more questions about your NDIS plan? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Will the NDIS pay for domestic help, for example cleaning, and gardening, in my home through the NDIS?

Yes, the NDIS can fund help around the home (like cleaning, cooking or gardening) where your disability means you can't manage those tasks yourself and the support is reasonable and necessary.

The key is the link to your disability. The NDIS funds the help because of the functional impact of your disability, not as general housekeeping. If you could do these tasks without support, they'd be an everyday cost like anyone else's.

If this is support you need, raise it at your planning meeting and connect it to daily living goals. We can help you work out whether it fits your plan. Just email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Will the NDIS fund house modifications?

Yes, the NDIS can fund changes to your home where they're reasonable and necessary for your disability.

Home modifications funding can cover things like:

Ramps, rails and accessible bathrooms
Slip-resistant flooring
The professional side too - assessments, building certification and project management for the modification

Bigger modifications usually need an assessment (often from an occupational therapist) and quotes before the NDIA approves funding, so build in some lead time.

For people with very high support needs who can't live in mainstream housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a separate support.

Will the NDIS fund car modifications?

Yes, the NDIS can fund vehicle modifications where they're reasonable and necessary for your disability. This is things like hand controls, ramps, hoists or wheelchair restraints.

A couple of practical notes: the NDIS funds modifications to a vehicle, not the vehicle itself (a car is an everyday cost, the changes that make it usable for you are the disability support). Modifications usually need an assessment and quotes before approval.

If getting around independently is one of your goals, vehicle modifications are worth raising at your planning meeting. Email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we can see if you can access it with your current plan.

Can the NDIS pay for driving lessons?

Yes, the NDIS can fund driving lessons in the right circumstances.

To be funded, driving lessons need to be connected to your plan goals (like building independence or getting to work), covered by Capacity Building funding in your plan and considered reasonable and necessary - usually meaning you need specialised instruction or vehicle modifications because of your disability.

A driver-trained occupational therapist assessment is often the first step and can itself be NDIS-funded.

If learning to drive is on your goals list, raise it at your planning meeting. If you'd like help to see if it's supported in your current NDIS plan, email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Can I use NDIS funding for assistive technology, and what things can I buy?

Yes. Assistive technology (AT) is any device or system that helps you do something your disability would otherwise make difficult, or makes it safer or easier.

The test is functional: mainstream items aren't AT just because you use them (a car isn't AT), but items that overcome a disability-related limitation are (modifications to that car can be).

AT the NDIS commonly funds includes:

Communication devices like speech generators, text-to-speech tools
Hearing and vision equipment likehearing aids, braille equipment
Mobility equipment like wheelchairs, hoists, lifts, sit-to-stand chairs
Personal care and household equipment and adaptive tools for daily tasks
Prosthetics and orthotics
Vehicle modifications, environmental controls and some apps
Repairs, maintenance and rental of equipment

AT is assessed case by case: it needs to be reasonable and necessary for your disability and your goals. Higher-cost items usually need an assessment and quotes.

Wondering whether a specific item would qualify? Curious what your plan covers? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

What are consumables?

Consumables are the everyday items you use because of your disability, funded through your Core budget.

The most common example is continence products like pads, catheters, continence alarms and related equipment.

Consumables funding can also cover:

Low-cost daily adaptive equipment
Home enteral nutrition (HEN) products
Interpreting and translation services

Because consumables sit in Core, the funding is flexible and you generally don't need itemised approval for each purchase, as long as it relates to your disability.

If you're not sure whether something counts as a consumable, you can ask us. Just email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

How are prosthetic limbs funded under the NDIS?

The NDIS funds prosthetic limbs as assistive technology, where they're reasonable and necessary for your disability and goals.

Because prosthetics are typically higher-cost and specialised items, the process usually involves an assessment from a prosthetist or relevant specialist and quotes, before the NDIA approves funding. Ongoing costs matter too, so repairs, adjustments and eventual replacement can all be included in your plan.

The goal connection is worth spelling out at your planning meeting: whether it's mobility, work, sport or independence, tie the prosthetic to what it enables you to do.

Have more questions about your NDIS plan? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Can I have respite included in my plan?

Yes, the NDIS calls it Short Term Accommodation (STA) and it can be included in your plan.

STA funds support and accommodation away from your usual home for short stays. It gives you a change of scene and new experiences. It also gives your family or carers time to recharge.

Whether it's funded comes back to your goals. Goals that support STA funding include:

Building independence and life skills away from home
Trying new social and community experiences
Preparing for a move to more independent living

Want help to see if STA is included in your plan? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

Can I have funding for Housing / Specialist Disability Accomodation?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is NDIS funding for housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, who can't live in mainstream housing.

SDA funding covers the cost of the specialist home itself. These are things like accessible design, assistive features and robust construction. Support services in the home (like Supported Independent Living) are funded separately.

SDA has strict eligibility criteria and only a small proportion of participants qualify. If you think you might, it starts with evidence of your support needs and a housing assessment through your planning process.

The NDIS website has the full eligibility details. Housing and living supports can be complex, so if you're exploring your options and not sure if it's something you can currently access with your plan, email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help.

Can the NDIS help me get a job?

Yes. The NDIS funds employment supports that aren't covered by employers or employment services - the disability-related supports that make work possible.

That can include:

Building job skills and workplace confidence (through Capacity Building funding)
Support to transition from school to work
Transport to and from work where your disability means you can't use public transport
Equipment you need, like wheelchairs or hearing aids

Employment is one of the strongest goals you can put in your plan, it tends to unlock meaningful funding. If work is on your horizon, make it a stated goal at your planning meeting.

Want a handing checking if you can access employment support with your current NDIS plan? Email hello@providerchoice.com.au.

How does the planning process work?

Once you're accepted into the NDIS, planning is how your funding takes shape.

You'll meet with an NDIA planner (or your local NDIS partner) who works with you to build a plan around your goals. They'll ask about what you want to achieve and the supports you need to get there. Once your plan is approved, you choose your providers, set up service agreements where needed and start using your funding.

Plans run for a set period - often 12 months, though longer plans are becoming more common when your situation is stable. Before your plan ends, you'll have a check-in or reassessment to look at what worked and what needs to change.

The single biggest thing you can do for a great plan? Walk into the meeting prepared. Our free preplanning tool helps you get your goals and evidence sorted, or email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you get ready.

What is the role of a planner?

An NDIS planner works for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and helps you create your NDIS plan. Their job is to understand your goals, talk through the supports you need and make sure your plan reflects your individual situation.

During your planning meeting, your planner will:

Discuss your goals and daily support needs
Help you decide how you'd like your plan to be managed (self, NDIA or plan-managed)
Work with you to develop funding that supports your independence and wellbeing

Once your plan is approved, you'll receive a copy. That's when you can choose your providers and start using your funding.

Tip: if you'd like plan management, the planning meeting is the easiest time to ask for it. Just tell your planner and the funding gets added separately at no cost to you.

Email us at hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you get ready.

What qualifications do planners have?

NDIS planners come from a range of backgrounds, commonly social work, allied health, early childhood education and disability services. Most have worked with people with disability before and they understand every situation is different.

That said, planners are people and experience varies. The best way to get a great outcome regardless of who you get is to arrive prepared with clear goals, good evidence and a picture of your daily support needs.

That's exactly what our free preplanning tool helps you do. Or email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you get meeting-ready.

When will my planning meeting take place?

After you've been found eligible for the NDIS, the NDIA or your local NDIS partner will contact you to book your planning meeting.

There's no set timeframe. It usually depends on how busy your local area is and how quickly you can provide any extra information the NDIA requests. Most people have their meeting within a few weeks of receiving their eligibility letter.

You'll get a call, email or letter with details about when and how the meeting will happen. It can be in person, over the phone, or online. You can also ask to reschedule if you need more time to prepare.

Can I provide more information to the planner after the planning meeting?

Yes. If you didn't have everything on hand at your meeting, you can send more information to your planner afterwards - quotes for equipment or assistive technology, therapy reports, or health reports you didn't share on the day.

Send documents directly to your planner and do it promptly. Extra evidence is most useful before your plan is approved.

If you're not sure what evidence would strengthen your plan, email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you figure out what's worth sending.

How long does the planning meeting and entire planning process take?

Your planning meeting usually takes about an hour and a half, though it can run up to three hours if there's a lot to cover - that's normal, not a bad sign.

After the meeting, your planner puts your plan together and checks that everything in it is reasonable and necessary (fair, disability-related and something you need). Approval typically takes a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your plan and whether the planner needs more information.

Once approved, you'll have a plan handover conversation where your plan is explained and you can ask questions, then you're ready to start using your funding.

You can speed things up by having your evidence ready to go. Our free preplanning tool helps you arrive organised.

Why do I get conflicting answers from different planners?

It's a fair frustration and a common one. Planners can interpret situations differently depending on their training and experience, so two planners sometimes give different answers to the same question.

The NDIS knows consistency matters, which is why planners work to published Operational Guidelines. You can read them yourself on the NDIS website. Knowing what the guidelines actually say is a genuinely powerful position to be in.

And you're not stuck with an answer that doesn't seem right:

If your planning meeting didn't meet your needs, contact your local NDIS office or NDIS partner straight away. In many cases they'll arrange a new meeting with a different planner
If your plan itself isn't working, you can ask for a review of the decision

You don't have to navigate this solo. Email hello@providerchoice.com.au and we'll help you work out your next move.

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