NDIS Capacity Building Supports 2025: Complete Guide to All 9 Categories
Key Points
- Capacity Building is one of three NDIS budget types (alongside Core and Capital)
- 9 support categories fall under Capacity Building, each funding different supports
- Focus on skills - CB funding helps you build independence, not just provide care
- Usually stated - most CB funding is allocated to specific purposes (not flexible)
- Time-limited goal - CB supports aim to reduce your need for ongoing assistance
What is NDIS Capacity Building?
Capacity Building (CB) is one of the three main budget types in your NDIS plan. While Core supports fund your day-to-day care needs and Capital funds equipment and modifications, Capacity Building funds supports that help you build skills and increase your independence over time.
Capacity Building vs Core vs Capital
| Budget Type | Purpose | Examples | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Supports | Daily living assistance | Support workers, transport, consumables | Usually flexible across categories |
| Capacity Building | Skill development | Therapy, support coordination, employment support | Usually stated (specific purpose) |
| Capital Supports | Equipment and modifications | Wheelchairs, home modifications, AT | Strictly stated |
The Goal of Capacity Building
The purpose of CB funding is to help you develop skills and independence so you need less support over time. For example:
- Occupational therapy to learn cooking skills (CB) vs a support worker cooking for you (Core)
- Employment support to find a job (CB) vs ongoing support at work (Core)
- Social skills training (CB) vs support worker accompanying you to events (Core)
The 9 Capacity Building Categories
Your NDIS plan can include funding across these 9 Capacity Building support categories:
| Category | Support Name | What It Funds |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Support Coordination | Help managing your plan and connecting with providers |
| 8 | Improved Living Arrangements | Support to find and maintain housing |
| 9 | Increased Social & Community Participation | Building social skills and community connections |
| 10 | Finding & Keeping a Job | Employment preparation and support |
| 11 | Improved Relationships | Building communication and relationship skills |
| 12 | Improved Health & Wellbeing | Exercise, diet, and wellbeing programs |
| 13 | Improved Learning | Education and training support |
| 14 | Improved Life Choices | Plan management services |
| 15 | Improved Daily Living | Therapy and daily living skills training |
Category 7: Support Coordination
Support Coordination helps you understand, implement, and manage your NDIS plan.
What It Funds
| Support Level | What They Do | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Support Connection | Basic help connecting with providers | $70.87/hr |
| Support Coordination | Ongoing plan implementation and coordination | $107.80/hr |
| Specialist Support Coordination | Complex situations requiring specialist expertise | $201.03/hr |
What Support Coordinators Help With
- Understanding your NDIS plan and budget
- Finding and connecting with service providers
- Coordinating multiple supports
- Problem-solving service issues
- Preparing for plan reviews
- Crisis management (specialist level)
Who Needs Support Coordination?
You may benefit from Support Coordination if you:
- Are new to the NDIS and need help getting started
- Have complex support needs requiring multiple providers
- Experience challenges coordinating your supports
- Need help preparing for plan reviews
- Have recently moved to a new area
Related: Read our Support Coordinator Progress Report Template for report examples.
Category 8: Improved Living Arrangements
This category funds support to help you find and maintain suitable housing.
What It Funds
- Housing assessments and planning
- Finding appropriate accommodation options
- Tenancy skills training
- Support during housing transitions
- Coordination with SDA and SIL providers
Examples of Improved Living Arrangements
| Goal | Support Funded |
|---|---|
| Moving from family home to independent living | Housing transition support and skills training |
| Finding an SDA property | SDA search and application assistance |
| Learning tenancy skills | Training on bills, maintenance, neighbour relations |
| Resolving housing issues | Advocacy with landlords or housing providers |
Category 9: Increased Social & Community Participation
This category builds your skills to participate in social activities and community life.
What It Funds
| Support Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Social skills programs | Group programs teaching communication, friendship skills |
| Community access training | Learning to use public transport, navigate shops |
| Peer support programs | Connection with others with similar experiences |
| Recreation skill building | Learning new hobbies and activities |
| Mentoring | One-on-one guidance from a mentor with lived experience |
CB vs Core Community Participation
| Capacity Building (Category 9) | Core (Category 4) |
|---|---|
| Training and skill development | Support worker assistance during activities |
| Group programs teaching social skills | 1:1 support to access the community |
| Time-limited with goals | Ongoing as needed |
| Usually reduces over time | May be consistent or increase |
Related: See our NDIS Social & Community Participation Guide for detailed information.
Category 10: Finding & Keeping a Job
Employment support funding helps you prepare for, find, and maintain employment.
What It Funds
| Support | Description |
|---|---|
| School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) | Intensive support for young people leaving school |
| Employment-related assessments | Vocational assessments, workplace trials |
| Job preparation | Resume writing, interview skills, job searching |
| Workplace modifications | Adjustments to help you perform your job |
| Ongoing support in employment | Job coaching and workplace assistance |
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
SLES is specifically for participants aged 15-22 transitioning from school to employment. It provides up to 2 years of intensive employment preparation, including:
- Work experience placements
- Job skills training
- Interview preparation
- Travel training for work
- Workplace behaviour support
Note: SLES funding is separate from general employment support and specifically targets the school-to-work transition.
Category 11: Improved Relationships
This category helps you build and maintain positive relationships.
What It Funds
| Support Type | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Behaviour support | Understanding and managing challenging behaviours |
| Relationship skills training | Communication, boundaries, conflict resolution |
| Social skills development | Reading social cues, appropriate interactions |
| Family therapy | Improving family dynamics and communication |
| Positive behaviour planning | Developing behaviour support plans |
Behaviour Support
A key component of this category is specialist behaviour support, which includes:
- Functional behaviour assessments
- Behaviour support plan development
- Implementation training for carers and support workers
- Progress monitoring and plan review
Important: Positive Behaviour Support practitioners must be registered with the NDIS Commission if using restrictive practices.
Category 12: Improved Health & Wellbeing
This category funds supports that maintain or improve your physical and mental health.
What It Funds
| Support | Examples |
|---|---|
| Exercise physiology | Individualised exercise programs |
| Personal training | Fitness training adapted to your needs |
| Dietetics | Nutrition planning and guidance |
| Mental health support | Recovery-focused mental health programs |
| Health management training | Medication management, symptom monitoring |
CB vs Medicare Health Services
| NDIS Capacity Building | Medicare |
|---|---|
| Disability-specific health management | General health treatment |
| Building skills to manage your health | Acute care and treatment |
| Long-term capacity development | Time-limited treatment courses |
| Focus on independence | Focus on recovery |
Category 13: Improved Learning
This category supports your educational and training goals.
What It Funds
| Support Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Educational assessments | Learning assessments and educational planning |
| Study support | Tutoring, note-taking, study skills training |
| Transition support | Moving between education levels |
| Training courses | Skill-building courses related to your goals |
| Learning technology | Training on educational technology |
Who Can Access This Category?
You may receive Improved Learning funding if you:
- Are studying at school, TAFE, or university
- Want to develop new skills through training
- Need support to transition between education levels
- Have learning goals in your NDIS plan
Category 14: Improved Life Choices (Plan Management)
This category funds plan management services to help you manage your NDIS finances.
What Plan Managers Do
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Invoice processing | Receiving and paying provider invoices |
| Budget tracking | Monitoring your spending against your plan |
| Financial reporting | Regular statements showing your budget status |
| Provider payments | Paying providers on your behalf |
| Claims management | Claiming from the NDIS for approved supports |
Plan Management vs Self-Management vs Agency-Managed
| Management Type | Who Manages | Flexibility | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Managed | Plan Manager | High - can use unregistered providers | You choose providers, PM handles payments |
| Self-Managed | You | Highest - maximum choice and control | You handle all payments and claims |
| Agency Managed | NDIA | Lower - registered providers only | NDIA pays providers directly |
Category 15: Improved Daily Living (CB Daily Activity)
This is often the largest Capacity Building category, funding therapy and daily living skills training.
What It Funds
| Professional | Services Funded |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | Daily living skills, equipment assessment, home modifications |
| Physiotherapist | Movement, mobility, physical capacity |
| Speech Pathologist | Communication, swallowing, AAC |
| Psychologist | Behaviour support, skill development, mental health |
| Exercise Physiologist | Physical fitness, exercise programs |
| Dietitian | Nutrition, eating disorders, feeding |
2025-26 Therapy Rates
| Professional | Standard Rate | Remote Rate |
|---|---|---|
| OT / Psychologist | $214.41/hr | $236.59/hr |
| Physiotherapist / Speech | $193.99/hr | $214.14/hr |
| Exercise Physiologist / Dietitian | $166.99/hr | $183.08/hr |
| Therapy Assistant | $90.27/hr | $99.30/hr |
Related: See our detailed CB Daily Activity Guide for line item codes and examples.
How Capacity Building Budget Works
Stated vs Flexible Funding
Most Capacity Building funding is stated, meaning it’s allocated to a specific purpose:
| Budget Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stated | Allocated to specific category | ”$5,000 for Support Coordination” |
| Flexible | Can move between categories | Rare in CB - more common in Core |
What This Means for You
If you have $10,000 in Improved Daily Living and $3,000 in Support Coordination:
- You cannot move money from therapy to support coordination (or vice versa)
- Each allocation must be used for its stated purpose
- Unused funds don’t automatically transfer to other categories
Under PACE (New System)
The PACE system provides more flexibility within categories. You may have broader category budgets rather than line-by-line allocations, giving you more choice in how you use your CB funding.
Maximising Your Capacity Building Budget
1. Understand Your Allocations
Review your plan to understand:
- How much CB funding you have
- Which categories it’s allocated to
- What goals it’s meant to address
2. Choose Appropriate Providers
- Shop around for competitive rates within price limits
- Consider group programs which often cost less than individual sessions
- Ask about therapy assistant rates for follow-up support
3. Focus on Skill Transfer
The goal of CB is independence. Ensure your providers:
- Teach you skills (not just do things for you)
- Involve your support workers in training
- Provide strategies you can use independently
4. Track Your Progress
Document how CB supports help you:
- Before and after capability measures
- Goals achieved and skills learned
- Reduced need for other supports
This evidence supports future CB funding in plan reviews.
Common Questions About Capacity Building
Can I use Capacity Building funding for support workers?
Generally no. Support workers are funded through Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life). CB funding is specifically for skill development, therapy, and training.
Exception: Some CB funding (like SLES or behaviour support) may include worker time for specific skill-building activities.
What if I don’t use all my CB funding?
Unused CB funding doesn’t automatically roll over. If you consistently under-use a category, future plans may allocate less. Speak with your Support Coordinator about using your full allocation.
Can I change how my CB funding is allocated?
You can request a plan review if your CB allocations don’t match your needs. Document why different allocations would better meet your goals.
Do I need a referral for CB services?
You don’t need a medical referral to use most NDIS-funded CB services. However, your plan must include the relevant CB category.
Get Help With Your NDIS Plan
Understanding and maximising your Capacity Building supports can significantly improve your outcomes. At MD Home Care, we help participants access quality therapy, support coordination, and skill-building programs.
How we can help:
- Support Coordination to manage your CB funding
- Connect you with qualified allied health providers
- Help prepare for plan reviews with CB evidence
- Answer questions about your specific CB categories
Contact MD Home Care to get the most from your Capacity Building budget.
