Understanding the NDIS
Plain answers from people who work inside the scheme every day.
The three funding categories
Core Supports
Everyday assistance: personal care, household tasks, community participation, transport, SIL. The most flexible part of most plans.
Capacity Building
Supports that build skills or independence: coordination, therapy, life skills, employment supports. Funded by category, less flexible than Core.
Capital Supports
One-off items: assistive technology, home modifications, SDA. Tightly specified.
How plans are managed
- Agency managed
- The NDIA pays providers directly; registered providers only.
- Plan managed
- A plan manager pays invoices; registered and unregistered providers.
- Self-managed
- You manage payments yourself; most flexibility, most admin.
You can combine these across one plan.
Registered and unregistered providers
Any provider delivering SIL must be registered with the NDIS Commission — mandatory from 1 July 2026, with unregistered providers required to apply by 1 October 2026. Registration means Practice Standards audits, worker screening, and an incident and complaints system the Commission can inspect.
Check any provider on the Commission's register — ours is linked from our registration page.
See our registrationQuestions people ask
What are the NDIS funding categories?
Core Supports, Capacity Building, Capital Supports.
Core vs Capacity Building?
Core is everyday assistance and flexible. Capacity Building funds skill development and is tied to categories.
The plan management types?
Agency, plan and self-managed — combinable.
Do I need a registered provider?
For SIL, yes. Otherwise it depends on management type — agency-managed plans require registered providers.
How do I check a provider is registered?
The NDIS Commission's provider register — status, groups, and any conditions.
How do I get a support added to my plan?
Evidence, at review. A coordinator helps you gather it.
Still not sure what applies to you?
Call us. Working out which funding applies is a normal first conversation — not homework you should have to finish before you ring.
08 7009 4462