How is the Funding in Your NDIS Plan Organised? A Complete Guide
If you’re receiving NDIS funding, understanding how your budget is structured is key to making the most of your supports. From total funding amounts to funding component amounts and funding periods, knowing how your plan works will help you spend effectively, avoid overspending, and stay within NDIS guidelines.
1. Total Funding Amount
Your total funding amount—sometimes called the total budget amount—is the full sum provided in your NDIS plan for all your reasonable and necessary supports. This figure covers the entire duration of your plan.
2. Funding Component Amounts
Funding component amounts break your budget into specific sections. Each section relates to a certain support or group of supports, often described by support categories such as:
Core Supports – Everyday activities like personal care, transport, and community participation.
Capacity Building Supports – Skills development for greater independence.
Capital Supports – High-cost items such as assistive technology or home modifications.
Recurring Supports – Regular payments for ongoing needs.
- Replacement Supports – supports that replace the need for other or additional future supports.
Example:
Sarah’s 4-year plan totals $148,000. It’s divided into:
$120,000 for everyday supports (with $7,500 available every 3 months).
$28,000 for assistive technology in the first funding period (3 months).
3. Funding Periods
Funding periods define when and how much of your budget you can access at a time. These can apply to your total budget or just specific funding components.
Unused funds from one period don’t usually roll over into the next. This change has been highlighted in the latest news articles but hasn’t consistently been applied by the NDIS to date.
However, you must always use the funding for its intended purpose and within the correct category.
4. Flexible vs. Stated Supports
Your NDIS plan will describe each support as either flexible or stated:
Flexible Supports – Broader spending options within the category. For example, “Assistance with Daily Life” could cover meal preparation, cleaning, or other personal care tasks.
Stated Supports – Specific instructions on how, where, or by whom the support must be delivered (e.g., “Meal preparation limited to $200 per month” or “Physiotherapy sessions only”).
5. Staying Within Your Budget
You cannot use funding from one component amount to pay for supports in another component or for non-NDIS-approved services. Always check your plan details and speak with your my NDIS contact (LAC or Planner), Plan Manager, support coordinator, or recovery coach if you’re unsure.
Learn More
For more details, visit:
If you would like further assistance with understanding your plan get in touch with our team at Complete Money Management on 1300 161 4892