There are four main National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building, Capital Supports, and Recurring Supports. Navigating each one to access various types of assistance can feel overwhelming, but understanding your Core Supports is a great place to start.
These flexible funds are the backbone of most NDIS plans, designed to help with everyday needs like personal care, household tasks, transport, and community involvement.
So, how do NDIS Core Supports actually work?
What can they cover?
And how do you make the most of them?
In this guide, the experienced Support Coordination team at Hunter Care Group unpacks everything you need to know. Based in Newcastle, we help NDIS participants across the Hunter region manage their funding effectively and lead more fulfilling lives.
What are Core Supports under the NDIS?
Core Supports are one of the key NDIS funding categories, designed to help participants with everyday tasks and disability-related needs so they can live more independently and work towards their personal goals.
This budget covers a wide range of supports that assist with daily living, community participation, and related activities. Its funding can typically be used for:
- Assistance with daily personal activities – such as help with showering, dressing or eating
- Consumables – like continence products or low-cost assistive items
- Community access – including support workers to attend appointments, social outings or events
- Transport – if your disability prevents you from using public transport
This is the most flexible part of your NDIS plan, meaning in many cases, you can move funds between different types of supports depending on your needs.
That said, it’s important to note that Core Supports can only be used for expenses that are directly related to your disability. Things like rent, groceries or entertainment aren’t covered.
Flexible NDIS Core Supports
Your Core Supports budget is designed to help with day-to-day activities, and because your needs can change, the NDIA allows you to shift funds between certain support categories without needing a plan review.
In most cases, you can move funding between Assistance with Daily Life, Consumables, and Community Participation—as long as they’re managed in the same way (more on this below).
This flexibility means you can adjust how you use your support based on what matters most at the time, provided the spending aligns with your NDIS goals and meets the “reasonable and necessary” criteria.
You can even take a creative approach, such as using a support worker to attend a local class or event, as long as it’s included in your plan and contributes to your goals.
Keep reading to learn about each of the flexible Core Support categories.
Assistance with daily life
Assistance with Daily Life is an NDIS Core Support category that helps participants carry out everyday tasks at home and in the community, either through regular assistance or supervision.
It centres around promoting independence and empowering participants to live life on their terms.
Depending on your individual goals and support needs, examples of these NDIS Core Supports include:
- Personal care such as showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting
- Domestic assistance, including cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and basic home or yard maintenance
- Support workers to assist at home or accompany you in the community, including help with using public transport and attending social or recreational activities
- Nursing and health support delivered at home by enrolled or registered nurses, including clinical and specialist care where required
- Specialist disability support for children with in-home assistance tailored to developmental needs
Capacity building for self-management, helping you develop skills to manage your plan or daily tasks more independently
These supports are delivered by trained professionals and can take place within or beyond the home, depending on what’s most appropriate for your situation.
Assistance with social, economic, and community participation
This NDIS Core Support is all about helping you build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections through community involvement, social interaction, and skill development.
It is designed to make it easier for you to participate in social, recreational, and civic activities, particularly if disability-related barriers would otherwise prevent you from joining in.
Whether it’s joining a local art class, attending a community event, or exploring a new hobby, you can form new connections and better engage with the world around you in ways that suit your interests and abilities.
You’ll find this category listed in your NDIS myPlace portal as ‘Social, Community and Civic Participation’.
NDIS Core supports examples under this category include:
- Support worker assistance to help you attend or take part in group or individual activities, like going to a sporting club, art class, movie, concert, or local community group
- Skill-building opportunities, such as personal development courses or peer mentoring, to boost your independence and confidence in social settings
- Support with everyday logistics, including getting ready for an activity (e.g. dressing in sports gear), accessing the venue, or navigating the space once there
- Help with transport to and from activities, when public transport isn’t an option, and informal supports aren’t available
- Participation in group outings or camps, like school holiday programs or supported travel experiences
Specialised equipment or adaptive tools are needed to safely and fully participate in your chosen activity
Consumables
NDIS Consumables funding helps cover the cost of everyday items and low-cost equipment that are essential for managing your disability. These products are typically used regularly and support your health, hygiene, safety, mobility, communication and independence.
This funding ensures you have access to the products you need—when you need them—without the burden of paying out of pocket for essential disability-related supplies.
Examples of consumables that may be funded through your NDIS plan include:
- Continence supports such as disposable pads, briefs, pull-ups, catheters, change kits, wipes, and mattress protectors
- Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) and PEG consumables like feeding tubes, feed bags, bottles, and maintenance supplies
- Wound care and personal hygiene items, including dressings, skin barrier creams, and gloves
- Low-cost assistive technology (under $1,500) like non-slip bathmats, long-handled utensils, modified cutlery, medication dispensers, and adaptive tools for daily tasks
- Mobility aids such as replacement walking sticks, canes, or protective equipment
- Communication supports include Auslan or Signed English training, translation services, and basic assistive communication tools
- Respiratory equipment and consumables to support disability-related health conditions
- Set-up and training for disability-specific health equipment, where required
Support worker assistance, if needed, to help you use or manage these items at home
In most cases, consumables appear in the NDIS myPlace portal under the ‘Consumables’ category. All items must be reasonable and necessary and directly related to your disability to be funded.
Transport
Transport funding under the NDIS helps participants get to work, appointments, or community activities when they’re unable to use public transport due to their disability. This support is designed to promote independence and participation in everyday life.
In most cases, this funding is now provided as a Recurring Support, paid directly to the participant or a registered transport provider.
That said, some NDIS participants may still have transport included under their flexible Core Supports budget, depending on how their plan is structured.
Examples of this NDIS core support include:
- Taxi fares or ride services to medical appointments, therapy sessions, or social events
- Specialist transport providers for travel to school, work, or community events not funded by the NDIS
- Support to organise accessible transport, including assistance with booking and coordination
- Vehicle modifications, where needed, to improve independence and mobility
Stated NDIS Core supports
While most Core Supports funding is flexible, some parts of your NDIS Core budget are fixed.
These ‘stated supports’ must be used exactly as outlined in your plan and can’t be reallocated to other categories.
They’re typically approved for very specific purposes where flexibility isn’t allowed due to the nature or cost of the support.
Here are some examples of stated Core Supports you might see in your NDIS plan:
- Transport funding, if included, is often fixed and can only be used for travel-related purposes, like getting to work, appointments, or community activities
- In-kind supports, such as pre-paid services like public school transport, are provided directly by government-funded programs and cannot be redirected
- Quoted or itemised supports, like an Individualised Living Option (ILO) or specific assistive technology, are listed in your budget with set amounts and are not transferable to other areas
It’s important to understand which parts of your Core budget are flexible and which are fixed, so you can plan your spending accordingly and avoid any funding issues.
Let’s take a closer look at each type of stated support:
Home and Living
NDIS Home and Living supports are designed to help you live more independently, in an environment that suits your needs.
Whether you’re moving into your own place for the first time or require a higher level of in-home support, these funding options can be tailored to your lifestyle.
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) is ideal for participants who need regular help with everyday tasks in a shared or individual home. It includes support with activities like personal hygiene, meal prep, medication reminders, and household chores, while also helping you build life skills over time. SIL is best suited for people with higher or ongoing support needs.
- Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) provides short-term housing while you wait for your permanent home to become ready and properly equipped with disability supports. To access MTA funding, you must have a long-term housing solution in place. Typically, MTA is funded for up to 90 days.
- Individualised Living Options (ILO) offer living arrangements tailored to suit your goals and preferences. You can choose who you live with, where you live, and the type of support you receive, whether that’s personal care, help with cleaning and shopping, or learning to manage your home more independently.
These supports are all about giving you more choice and control over how—and where—you live.
Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC)
For NDIS participants under the age of 65 living in residential aged care, Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) funding may help cover certain costs associated with their accommodation.
This support is made possible through a joint arrangement with the Department of Health and Aged Care, which subsidises some of the fees for eligible individuals.
It aims to ensure that younger Australians with disability living in aged care receive appropriate financial assistance while longer-term, more suitable housing options are explored.
If you’re on a PACE plan, this funding will appear in your NDIS budget as a specific support item. It’s important to speak with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to understand how this funding works and whether you’re eligible.
How does plan management affect the flexibility of Core Supports funding?
The flexibility of your NDIS Core Supports budget depends on how each part of your plan is managed.
If all Core Supports are managed the same way—whether that’s self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed—you can usually move funds freely between categories like daily living, transport, or consumables.
On the other hand, if your Core Supports are split across different management types, this can limit how your funds can be used. You can’t transfer funds from one support category to another if they’re managed differently.
For instance, if your transport funding is self-managed and your assistance with social and community participation is NDIA-managed, you won’t be able to move money between these two areas. This restriction ensures each management method maintains proper oversight and compliance.
The only exception is when funds are moving between plan-managed and NDIA-managed categories—this is generally allowed. But as soon as self-managed funding is involved, movement across categories becomes restricted.
Keeping track of your NDIS Core Supports budget
By keeping a close eye on your spending, planning ahead, and using your funds strategically, you can make sure your Core Supports budget continues to meet your needs throughout the life of your NDIS plan.
Managing your NDIS Core Supports budget is about making sure your funding lasts and is used in ways that genuinely support your day-to-day needs and goals.
After all, one of the key advantages of Core Supports is flexibility. In most cases, you can move funds between categories, such as personal care, consumables, and community access, without needing a formal plan review. This allows you to respond to changes in your life and priorities.
To use your budget effectively, it’s important to keep track of your spending across each support category.
Overspending can lead to running out of funds too early, while underspending may mean you’re missing out on support that could help you live more independently.
If you find you’re spending too quickly, it’s a good idea to request a plan reassessment as soon as possible.
If you’re underspending, speak to your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Plan Manager, or Support Coordinator about other supports that may help you reach your goals.
How to get the most out of your Core Supports funding
To get the best value from your NDIS Core Supports funding, it’s essential to plan strategically, monitor your spending, and understand your rights and options.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Core Supports funding.
Be clear and thorough in your planning meeting
Your initial NDIS planning meeting is your best chance to outline the supports you need to meet your day-to-day needs and long-term goals.
Be specific about your disability-related challenges and how supports will help. Consider what help you need at home, in the community, and for your health and well-being.
Set a budget and track your spending
Your Core Supports budget is intended to last the full duration of your plan, typically 12 months. It’s crucial to pace your spending and avoid running out too early or underutilising your funds.
Use a budget tracker or NDIS plan management software to monitor usage. If you’re plan-managed or self-managed, your provider or support coordinator can help with this.
Understand what’s covered—and what’s not
Knowing the scope of what’s allowed can help you use your funding more effectively and avoid unnecessary rejections.
Core Supports funding can be used for disability-related assistance such as personal care, transport, consumables (like continence aids), and community access. As mentioned above, it cannot be used for everyday living expenses like rent, groceries, or non-disability-related items.
Negotiate service rates where possible
If you’re self-managed or plan-managed, you may be able to negotiate prices below the NDIS Price Limits.
This can help stretch your budget further. Don’t be afraid to compare providers or ask about discounts for regular services.
Be proactive if your needs change
If your circumstances shift, such as a new diagnosis, increased support needs, or risk of overspending, it’s important to request a plan reassessment (formerly known as a review) as soon as possible.
While funding increases aren’t guaranteed, timely communication gives you the best chance to advocate for adjustments.
Get support from your plan manager or support coordinator
If you’re unsure how to manage your Core Supports, a Plan Manager or Support Coordinator can help you stay on track, explain what you can and can’t claim, and assist with provider negotiations and documentation.
Discover Support Coordination in Newcastle
NDIS Core Supports are designed to help participants with everyday tasks and essential disability-related needs, empowering them to live more independently and work towards their personal goals.
From personal care and transport to community access and daily living aids, this flexible funding category is the foundation of many NDIS plans.
At Hunter Care Group, our team is here to help you understand and make the most of your Core Supports. With over 48 years of combined experience, we provide trusted, person-centred NDIS Support Coordination in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
Whether you’re new to the NDIS or navigating a complex plan, we offer all levels of assistance to suit your individual needs—from basic coordination to specialist support for more complex cases.
Our goal is to simplify the NDIS, reduce the overwhelm, and connect you with the right supports at the right time. Call us today on (02) 4950 2269 or submit an online enquiry to speak with our friendly team.