Can I use my Capacity Building budget to pay for a support worker?

Generally no. Support workers are funded through Core Supports. However, if a therapist or support coordinator is working with you and a support worker together, that professional time may be funded through Capacity Building. The distinction is between the therapist's professional time and the worker's support time.

Can I switch between support categories during my plan period?

No. The three main categories are separate budgets and cannot be moved between each other. Within Core Supports there is flexibility, and there may be some flexibility within Capacity Building, but Core, Capital and Capacity Building are distinct.

What happens if I run out of funding in one category before my plan ends?

If you exhaust your Core Supports budget before your plan period ends, you will need to either wait for your plan to be reviewed, request an urgent plan review, or arrange to use informal supports in the interim. Running out of funding is a signal that the plan may not have been funded at a sufficient level, and…

Every NDIS support category explained: Core, Capital and Capacity Building

Updated 1 Jun 2026 · reviewed by Prakash Bartaula, Founder, Novida

Your plan is organised into three budget types and seventeen support categories. Here is what each one funds, how flexible each budget really is, and where…

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my Capacity Building budget to pay for a support worker?: Generally no. Support workers are funded through Core Supports. However, if a therapist or support coordinator is working with you and a support worker together, that professional time may be funded through Capacity Building. The distinction is between the therapist's professional time and the worker's support time.
Can I switch between support categories during my plan period?: No. The three main categories are separate budgets and cannot be moved between each other. Within Core Supports there is flexibility, and there may be some flexibility within Capacity Building, but Core, Capital and Capacity Building are distinct.
What happens if I run out of funding in one category before my plan ends?: If you exhaust your Core Supports budget before your plan period ends, you will need to either wait for your plan to be reviewed, request an urgent plan review, or arrange to use informal supports in the interim. Running out of funding is a signal that the plan may not have been funded at a sufficient level, and…